Teradata Corp, El Segundo, California yesterday moved its DBC/1012 database processor up to the 80486 chip with launch of the Model 4, the fourth generation of the machine. Claimed to be the most powerful parallel processing computer ever built for business applications, the box comes with new 2.5Gb disk drives, enabling it to manage relational databases up to 10Tb in size. It is claimed to offer three times the power of the 80386-based model for approximately 1.3 times the cost. The scalable system can be configured with as few as six to more than 1,000 CPUs, and uses the 33MHz version of the part, each with 256Kb of cache and 8Mb main memory. The DBC/1012 Model 4 features new Access Module and Communication Processors, a new disk controller, optional non-volatile disk caching, a new Application Specific Integrated Circuit YNET for message-passing logic, the new disk drive, and a new DBC manager performance monitor. The Model 4 comes standard with a Communications Processor and a DBC Manager workstation that is designed to simplify system monitoring and capacity planning for the database administration staff. The Communications Processor connects workstations directly to the DBC/1012 through an Ethernet. The Model 4 runs under a new release of Teradata’s relational database management system, Release 4.1.2, which is designed to enhance support for the transaction processing environment, add data centre operations features and performance enhancements and provide for more real-time continuous operation. Also available is Teradata’s new high-speed, high-volume, database update utility.Teradata offers current DBC/1012 customers a field upgrade to the Model 4 and pricing starts at $816,000 for a minimum configuration; out now.
