Oracle Database 10g arrives on Apple Mac OS X

Oracle has released the first production version of its database on the Mac OS X operating system together with leading development tools that will make it easier for ISVs that want to build and deploy grid-based applications.

In the first release on the Apple platform since Oracle7, Oracle Database 10g is now available on Apple's Unix-based 64 bit server the Xserve, and the Xserve RAID storage platform. With Xserve RAID, Oracle users can store and back up valuable data for about one-third of the cost of traditional systems.

Oracle's award-winning Java development environment JDeveloper and the company's rapid web application development tool HTML DB are both also now available on OS X. Improved load balancing is provided by the optional Oracle Real Application Clusters and Cluster Ready Services can be used to ensure greater availability.

Because the Oracle database is available in its Enterprise, Standard Edition and Standard Edition One incarnations, the Oracle/Apple combination is well-suited to organisations with a range of users, budgets and licensing needs.

Together, Apple and Oracle provide a hardware and software combination ideal for implementing grid-based applications. The advantages of grid applications include:

• lower hardware cost because low-cost components (servers and storage hardware) can be used;
• increased capacity handling of pooled resources;
• high availability of data means more satisfied customers and less worry about spikes in customer demand;
• automated management capabilities in Oracle 10g mean a lower administration overhead; and
• scalability and modular deployment, so clients can start small and grow with the business.

There have already been over 10,000 downloads of Oracle 10g on OS X since its release in December 2004.

"The relational database market on the Apple Mac platform is very fragmented," said Tim Payne, senior director, Oracle Technology Marketing for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). "Because we can now offer function and price/performance that is unmatched by any other player, we are confidently aiming to take a leading position. Companies from very small to very large can get their hands on a world-class database, from as little as €115 per user, and development capability which can grow with their business and support mission-critical computing."

"Apple and Oracle have worked together to provide customers with a powerful and flexible way to manage their enterprise information," said Ron Okamoto, Apple's vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations. "The combination of Apple Xserve G5, Xserve RAID, Oracle Database 10g and JDeveloper will address the needs of customers seeking an affordable, enterprise-class database solution."

A good endorsement of the robustness of the Oracle/Apple offering is its adoption by GoldenPot Management Services, who deliver innovative international lotteries, online and via SMS. GoldenPot has extensively tested the beta release of Oracle Database 10g for OS X and is planning a rollout of Oracle Database 10g and Oracle Real Application Clusters on a small cluster of Xserve G5 to support its Bolivian operations, with plans in place to upgrade to a 10-node cluster over the coming months as several more countries go live.

"In Goldenpot's concept, IT is mission critical; all together, Oracle 10g on Xserve, Mac OS X, and Java WebObjects are the key solutions we adopted to achieve perfect availability of our games at very affordable costs, and with simplified deployment and maintenance," said Christian Trotobas, project manager of GoldenPot. "Enterprise class reliability and scalability are essential to us, as a single database underpins all of the multiple country operations we plan to support, so constant availability is essential because the different time zones do not allow many windows for down time. The joint Oracle/Apple offering was the ideal proposition for our IT infrastructure requirements, as it is unique and meets all of our high demands," added Bruno Houn, database manager.

A further vote of confidence in the joint capability comes from Oracle itself. The corporation uses Apple Xserve RAID storage as the basis for its own use of Oracle Collaboration Suite, which brings an integrated e-mail, VoiceMail, fax, calendaring and file handling solution to its employees as well as real time collaboration facilities such as Instant Messaging and web seminars.

To celebrate this release, we're running a competition with prizes including an iPod donated by Apple. Why not enter the competition now?