Abstract: Techniques are described herein for automatically determining optimal placement for VM clusters in multi-device infrastructure. Potential combinations of host nodes for a VM cluster are selected based on applicable constraints on host nodes for the cluster. Further, applicable optimization criteria (OC) for the VM cluster and/or the infrastructure are formally defined and modeled for automatic performance. Application of this placement model to the potential combinations of host nodes results in one or more OC metrics that may be directly compared so that alternate potential host node combinations may be ranked based on the determined OC metrics. The highest-ranked node combination is identified as the optimal VM cluster placement. The placement model can be used to implement initial, incremental, shuffling, or scaling placements of VM clusters. Further, hierarchical decisions may be made based on the determined OC metrics, allowing for application of the placement model to large and complex infrastructures.

Abstract: Techniques for testing subsystems on a platform for a software application are provided. A test application receives instructions for calling platform dependent subsystems directly. The instructions can be designed to fully test the capabilities of the subsystems. Once the instructions are executed, the results of the subsystems can be analyzed for platform certification, performance, reliability, and/or characteristics.

Abstract: A database system that incorporates numerous features that reduce the total cost of maintaining the database system is provided. That database system includes a database appliance that executes a database server on a platform that includes a special purpose operating system specifically tailored to the services required by the database server. The database appliance configures itself by detecting the environment in which it resides and setting operational parameters based on the detected environment. The configuration metadata of all components of the system are stored in a centralized repository which itself may reside external to the system. Both the database server configuration and the operating system configuration are managed by a remotely located integrated management console, which interacts with and configures the system at the database system level, the operating system level and, optionally, at the hardware subsystem level. Backup management may also be performed remotely.

Abstract: A database system that incorporates numerous features that reduce the total cost of maintaining the database system is provided. That database system includes a database appliance that executes a database server on a platform that includes a special purpose operating system specifically tailored to the services required by the database server. The database appliance configures itself by detecting the environment in which it resides and setting operational parameters based on the detected environment. The configuration metadata of all components of the system are stored in a centralized repository which itself may reside external to the system. Both the database server configuration and the operating system configuration are managed by a remotely located integrated management console, which interacts with and configures the system at the database system level, the operating system level and, optionally, at the hardware subsystem level. Backup management may also be performed remotely.

Abstract: Techniques for testing subsystems on a platform for a software application are provided. A test application receives instructions for calling platform dependent subsystems directly. The instructions can be designed to fully test the capabilities of the subsystems. Once the instructions are executed, the results of the subsystems can be analyzed for platform certification, performance, reliability, and/or characteristics.

Abstract: Techniques for distributing database functions in a system of database devices includes performing database management tasks for a database on a first device connected to a network. The first device is designated a database host. Data file storage and retrieval tasks for the database are sent to a second device connected to the network. The second device is designated an off-host storage device. The first device may be a database server appliance, which includes a processor; a database server process, a special purpose operating system and non-volatile storage. The database server process persistently stores data files for the database on a second device connected to the database server appliance over a network. The special purpose operating system has features and configuration that are dictated by the database server and supporting components.

Abstract: A database system that incorporates numerous features that reduce the total cost of maintaining the database system is provided. That database system includes a database appliance that executes a database server on a platform that includes a special purpose operating system specifically tailored to the services required by the database server. The database appliance configures itself by detecting the environment in which it resides and setting operational parameters based on the detected environment. The configuration metadata of all components of the system are stored in a centralized repository which itself may reside external to the system. Both the database server configuration and the operating system configuration are managed by a remotely located integrated management console, which interacts with and configures the system at the database system level, the operating system level and, optionally, at the hardware subsystem level. Backup management may also be performed remotely.

Abstract: A database system that incorporates numerous features that reduce the total cost of maintaining the database system is provided. That database system includes a database appliance that executes a database server on a platform that includes a special purpose operating system specifically tailored to the services required by the database server. The database appliance configures itself by detecting the environment in which it resides and setting operational parameters based on the detected environment. The configuration metadata of all components of the system are stored in a centralized repository which itself may reside external to the system. Both the database server configuration and the operating system configuration are managed by a remotely located integrated management console, which interacts with and configures the system at the database system level, the operating system level and, optionally, at the hardware subsystem level. Backup management may also be performed remotely.

Abstract: A database system that incorporates numerous features that reduce the total cost of maintaining the database system is provided. That database system includes a database appliance that executes a database server on a platform that includes a special purpose operating system specifically tailored to the services required by the database server. The database appliance configures itself by detecting the environment in which it resides and setting operational parameters based on the detected environment. The configuration metadata of all components of the system are stored in a centralized repository which itself may reside external to the system. Both the database server configuration and the operating system configuration are managed by a remotely located integrated management console, which interacts with and configures the system at the database system level, the operating system level and, optionally, at the hardware subsystem level. Backup management may also be performed remotely.

Abstract: A database system that incorporates numerous features that reduce the total cost of maintaining the database system is provided. That database system includes a database appliance that executes a database server on a platform that includes a special purpose operating system specifically tailored to the services required by the database server. The database appliance configures itself by detecting the environment in which it resides and setting operational parameters based on the detected environment. The configuration metadata of all components of the system are stored in a centralized repository which itself may reside external to the system. Both the database server configuration and the operating system configuration are managed by a remotely located integrated management console, which interacts with and configures the system at the database system level, the operating system level and, optionally, at the hardware subsystem level. Backup management may also be performed remotely.

Abstract: A database system that incorporates numerous features that reduce the total cost of maintaining the database system is provided. That database system includes a database appliance that executes a database server on a platform that includes a special purpose operating system specifically tailored to the services required by the database server. The database appliance configures itself by detecting the environment in which it resides and setting operational parameters based on the detected environment. The configuration metadata of all components of the system are stored in a centralized repository which itself may reside external to the system. Both the database server configuration and the operating system configuration are managed by a remotely located integrated management console, which interacts with and configures the system at the database system level, the operating system level and, optionally, at the hardware subsystem level. Backup management may also be performed remotely.