Rise of the Database Appliance with ODA X9-2

November 25, 2022 · Engineered Systems, ODA

The Oracle Database Appliance (ODA) is a pre-configured and optimized system for running Oracle databases. It has been a popular choice among customers since its introduction in 2011 across seven iterations. The X9 family's latest models, X9-2S, X9-2L, and X9-2-HA, provide affordable hardware with adaptable software licensing.

Single-instance models suit the S and L variants, while the X9-2-HA supports clustered databases with RAC technology. Conceptually, the HA model functions as a two-node Oracle Linux RAC cluster within one chassis, incorporating shared storage and networking. The ODA X9-2 replaced the M model with the L model, offering expanded capacity.

X9 Family Models

Latest Hardware Changes

Memory

The L and HA models support up to 1TB memory per node, totaling 2TB for dual-node HA RAC databases.

NVMe Storage

S and L models feature NVMe Express flash storage for rapid performance. Standard configurations include 13.6 TB raw storage, while L models scale to 81.6 TB.

Virtualization (KVM)

Oracle transitioned from OVM to KVM virtualization technology, enabling flexibility deferred to post-imaging decisions. KVM supports RAC deployment on ODA, though documented restrictions apply:

The ODA 19.15 release introduced migration capabilities from OVM to KVM.

Data Preserving Reprovisioning (DPR)

Introduced with ODA 19.15, this node restore feature addresses a primary customer criticism: patching complexity. Rather than wiping databases during reimaging, DPR extracts metadata, reimages appliances, and remaps databases to fresh installations, analogous to unplugging and reconnecting configurations.

Current version support includes: 12.1.2.12, 12.2.1.4, 18.3, 18.5, 18.7, and 18.8. Oracle pursues expanded compatibility in future releases.

This capability fundamentally changes patching approaches. Since Oracle relocated all Oracle homes from root disks, reimaging affects only OS-dedicated disks. ASM diskgroups remain untouched, eliminating backup/restore requirements. Metadata extraction and reattachment after fresh ODA imaging reduces outage windows from multiple upgrade cycles to approximately two hours.

Applying Out-of-Cycle Database Patches

Out-of-cycle patching allows administrators to apply Oracle Database Release Updates separately from ODA releases via OPatch. Oracle recommends patching through ODA releases, though out-of-cycle capabilities support both baremetal and KVM guest VMs.

Some customers apply database patches quarterly while updating ODA software semiannually. When database-stack bugs necessitate Release Unit upgrades, Oracle permits independent Oracle Home patching without affecting ODA and OS layers.

Single Instance Database High-Availability for ODA

Beginning with Oracle Database 19c, RAC support ceased for Standard Edition. Oracle introduced Standard Edition High Availability (SE HA) leveraging Clusterware technology for availability on ODAs. This extended to Enterprise Edition customers as Enterprise Edition High Availability (EE HA), essentially RAC One Node complimentary on HA models with shared storage and interconnects.

Supported on baremetal and DB Systems (KVM), this free ODA feature includes a 10-day failover rule.

Data Sheets

Earlier ODA model information available at OracleODA.com.