Re: Best Platform for Informix

>We are trying to choose, between Digital (4100) and Sun (5000), the best >platform to run our Informix applications. As we look at these >alternatives, we have concerns about both platforms. "Best" is, at best, a very slippery term. Given a full set of high-level requirements and a feeling for the corporate culture and the application, we could figure out which platform is best suited to your needs. Without that I'll give you my two cent's worth and hope that it gives you enough to work with. I worked on the Digital platforms as an Informix customer for years. One example of the best/worst paradox comes from the rollout of the DSA products. We were very eager for the new, wonderful features and power of the OnLine version 6 engine. But we couldn't get it, because it was never ported to DEC. (Worse, we were using DEC Ultrix, and nothing from Informix was ported to that platform after OnLine version 5.) As it turned out, that was a blessing. Version 6 was, to say the least, an interim release. Our ~24x7 mission-critical application was saved a lot of headache by waiting for version 7 before upgrading. Was DEC the best platform? We certainly thought not, and complained loud and long. But perhaps it was... Some critical factors are: Risk aversion--how close to the "bleeding edge" do you want to be? Feature requirements--how badly do you need brand-new features? Pre-existing partnerships--company standards, trade-in deals, etc. Expertise--training, 3rd-party book, web and consultant availability Applications--do the other players have a preference? Corporate stability--gee, is the pot calling the kettle black? :) >We hear Informix develops on Sun and then ports to the other platforms. True, though the development often also takes place on other platforms at the same time (HP and NT, if you call that a platform.) >Our experience tells us that Informix support does not have a Digital >platform available for problem solving. Not true. There are many DEC boxes available, but certainly not as many as there are Sun or HP. That lowers the liklihood that a box *exactly* like the one you have can be made available in a timely fashion. >Digital has a true 64 bit operating system while Sun >is still moving toward full 64 bit (and needs to main compatability to its >32 bit days). We really don't know how 64bit Informix, at least in its >Digital incarnation, is. "Informix" can't really be said to be any "bit." Many of the products of the company are fully 64-bit enabled, and many others are not and aren't planned to be. Your sales team has the best source of ready information on which products have which capabilities for which platforms for which operating systems. It is not a simple question. When you get through sorting the sales hype from all the vendors and actually begin production you'll be amazed at how little the term "64-bit" actually means. At least today. Good luck. It's a hard road. ___________________________________________________________ Clem Akins (aka clem@informix.com) <- NEW ACCOUNT! Informix Software, Inc (Standard disclaimers apply) International Technical Support Last seen: Corporate HQ, Menlo Park California, US of A