Re: Informix and SCO

>DATE: 2 Aug 1994 11:05:41 GMT >FROM: Dirch Scheer <scheer@stadt-mh.de> > >Gennie Barr (gab@crl.com) wrote: >> Has anyone had any compatability problems between Informix and SCO? > >We're running Online and SE on SCO without any problems. But the databases >are not very big. If it is a critical application or a great datebase, >I would prefer machines from HP or Motorola, because their Support and UNIX >are more reliable. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Here, here! > >Dirch Yes, big time conflicts, really in the machines and not Informix. We have a small (100MB) database running on several 486/50's and 486/66's. It has to be fast for complex queries, so we loaded the machines with 32MB of RAM and dual 1740 EISA disk adapters, each with a 400MB Fujitsu SCSI II disk. The actual reason for two adapters is a seperate issue. This was all bleeding edge a couple of years ago. First of all, we tried Open DeskTop 1.1, with updates. There is a semi-documented conflict between the ethernet card (an SMC Elite Plus 16) and the Adaptecs. Moving around IRQ's, base addresses, running in standard or 32 bit (Adaptec 1540 or native 1740, that is) mode, etc. has no effect on the conflict. The conflict appears as such: In certain directories, menus, the MSDOS emulator, etc, the system becomes EXTREMELY SLOW while the ethernet card transmits like mad. SCO promised to research the problem for a year until our support contract ran out and ODT 2.0 was released. They only admitted that there was a problem when they told us that ODT 2.0 fixed it. This did not help us for the year we struggled with the problems on ODT 1.1. I have confirmed this trouble with other ODT 1.0 and 1.1 users. Several computer companies have noted to me that ethernet cards and SCSI adapters will conflict, EVEN IF THEY ARE PROPERLY INSTALLED ON DIFFERENT INTERRUPTS. No one can really explain why, but no one will admit that it is THEIR OWN problem. SCO blames the hardware, the manufactures blame Adaptec and SMC/WD, etc. . . . IF you want to build a REAL database system that is a fast performer for low cost. . . . 1. Strongly consider any other architecture. Building a full-up Pentium server costs us $10,000, even though we start with the typical $3,000 computer shopper machines. This is after adding a DigiBoard, Fast SCSI II, 32MB RAM, etc, which RISC machines have (or equivelants) standard. Tell your boss that integration time alone will cost you more then you save perusing Computer Shopper. 2. After you find that management doesn't believe you that a $10,000 PC is more expensive then a $6,000 Alpha, buy the Operating system first, then buy a PC with all supported equipment from THE SAME MANUFACTURER. This will give you two-shop shopping for support, SCO and the manufacturer (and informix, i guess), instead of twelve Computer Shopper mail order houses. Don't buy peripherals that are supported by a SCO "available" (downloadable from sosco) drivers. If it doesn't come in the SCO box, then you are a BETA TESTER! 3. Use the Open Server non-X windows version for a database server. 4. Put the Ethernet and the SCSI on the same bus (PCI, ISA, EISA, whatever). Don't put one on the ISA and one on the PCI or VESA. If you do, you're looking for trouble. 5. Buy support from all vendors, you'll need it. 6. Good luck! Ken.