Compaq and Oracle unveil fully integrated ProLiant database server

Compaq Computer Corp attributes the superiority of its new range of database servers to its strong partnerships with Oracle Corp and Microsoft Corp. These have led to a new version of SmartStart with Oracle 7.1 and Microsoft SQL Server fully configured and integrated. SmartStart consists of six CD-ROMs with NetWare, OS/2, Windows NT and Unix plus tape backup software Arcserve from Cheyenne Software Inc and a Networker Motif-based product from Legato Systems Inc. Compaq claims that with SmartStart it takes only 45 minutes to install an operating system and database and as the integration is fully tested, the user enjoys an immediate and secure system. The partnership also includes a support system for users should any problems arise. The new database servers are extensions to the tower and rack-mountable ProLiant lines and include the 100MHz Pentium-based ProLiant 4000 Model 5/100 and new 90MHz Pentium-based 4000 and 2000 Model 5/90. Another fruit of the partnership with Oracle is the Transaction Blaster. Compaq studied Oracle 7.1 and looked how to optimise performance of the server and the database. The result is a third-level cache option of 2Mb that pushes transactions per second over 600 with four 100MHz processors.

Not an altruistic endeavour

It improves the efficiency of database transactions by minimizing the bus utilization, and is 70% faster than a ProLiant 4000 Model 5/66 with four 66MHz Pentium Processors. The Compaq ProLiant 2000 5/90, starts at $11,600 and includes a 1Gb of hard drive, will be available by the end of September, as will the Compaq ProLiant 4000 5/90. The ProLiant 4000 5/100, at $17,500 with a storage subsystem and 1Gb of hard disk, will ship fourth quarter, as well as the Transaction Blaster option. The new ProLiant models feature a large, enhanced 512Kb second level cache, which is 40% better than the ProLiant 5/66 models, with a 100MHz Pentium processor. Another new feature is Insight Version Control, designed to track installed versions of groupware and software and provides upgrade recommendations to network administrators, enabling them to maintain a more consistent and optimally configured server. Compaq is also to add Microsoft Windows NT Version 3.5 to its next release of SmartStart, shipping the fourth quarter, as well as IBM Corp OS/2 Symmetric Multiprocessing and LAN Server operating system software, both supported by Insight Manager. The move with Oracle makes sense for both parties – it couples the top database provider with the top server builder. For the customer it offers an easier way to a database server. As to customer choice, Compaq servers will continue to work with other databases, but without the same level of integration. As Ray Lane, president of worldwide operations at Oracle, points out This is not an altruistic endeavour, rather a way for each company to leverage its market share, for Oracle a path to the middle market through Compaq’s direct sales force, for Compaq an enhancement to its servers. Bob Stearns, vice-president of corporate development at Compaq, assured journalists that in partnering Oracle, Compaq is not foreclosing on customer choice. However Compaq believes only two or three database providers will survive into the future, and Oracle will be one of them. For now, Compaq is the champion of openness – as long as they choose Compaq!

Compaq launches enhanced range of multimedia personal computers

Compaq has also unveiled new versions of its Presario range, multimedia personal computers for the home market. Aimed squarely at the computilliterate, the Presario includes a Welcome Centre video detailing the installation process and answers to common questions. The US range includes cable-ready television, high quality speakerphone, a 14.4Mbits per second facsimile modem, CD-ROM sound system and Personal Message Centre with voice mail and address book functions. It comes bundled with 23 software titles, including educational, household, finance, entertainment and game programs

, business applications and on-line services. It has a three year warranty with one year on-site service, and priced between $1,500 and $1,900. The low-end 500 comprises an Am486SX2/66 processor with a 420Mb internal hard drive and inadequate 4Mb of RAM standard, upgradable to 64Mb. It has a double-speed CD-ROM drive, 16-bit stereo sound with integrated stereo speakers, built-in microphone, two AT expansion slots, MIDI and game port, enhanced local bus video, 1Mb video RAM, upgradable to 2Mb and a 3.5 1.4Mb disk drive. Compaq will unleash a marketing blitz and is set to use Borland to promote the new Presario range – Al Borland that is, played by Richard Karn, from US comedy programme Home Improvement The UK version at between UKP1,400 and UKP1,800 appears a poor cousin by comparison lacking the television capability, much slower 9.6Mbps facsimile modem and at most eight bundled software titles. This Compaq attributes to the comparative immaturity of the British market and price points.

Compaq’s Presario – personal computing for the common man?

In comparing the multimedia all-in-one personal computer offerings from Apple Computer Inc, Compaq Computer Corp and Packard Bell Electronics Inc, Walter Mossberg of the Wall Street Journal wanted to give the bouquet to Compaq’s new Presario, but couldn’t. On the plus side the Presario has built-in speakerphone, 14Mbps modem and Mini-Pilot software that controls the multimedia functions. The big minus is the inadequate 4Mb memory, not enough to run today’s software smoothly. The basic models: the CDS 520 at $1,700 and the CDTV 520, including television tuner, for $1,900, both boast 420Mb drives but both really need an extra $200 to boost the memory to 8Mb. There are rumours that Compaq will only offer the 8Mb configuration next year, but Mossberg thinks this an unnecessary delay for a basic flaw. Packard Bell’s offering is the Spectria, with three configurations, from an underequipped 4Mb model at $1,400 to a very well-equipped $1,800 8Mb model with 520Mb disk, and television tuner. Uniquely its screen can be plugged into another computer, such as a laptop. Though a contender it stumbles on its slow, old-style modem and lacks Compaq’s best software features. The Performa 578 from Apple, at around $2,200, like all Macs has a tighter integration of software and hardware than its personal computer rivals. It boasts 8Mb and a 320Mb disk, and is easily expandable. It can read disks from IBM-compatible machines and is a very solid computer. However it suffers from a slow modem and an ageing basic design. The Mossberg verdict – the Presario wins, but only because of the shortcomings of its rivals. – David Johnson