WOW

Okay, I have done some initial testing of this. Here is my results.

Machine Dell PowerEdge 8500, 4-p3'700s. Have opitmezed disk structures, multiple raid0+1's, basically built the ultimate dream system we theorized in our Oracle classes. I am only user on box at the moement.

Export file size, approx 1.8gigs

Did conventional export. consistent=y, full=y all other defaults take. Exp time was 24 minutes.

Did Direct=y export, taking defaults, consistent=y, full=y
Exp time was 3 minutes. yes, 3 minutes.

Wow..think I will be modifying my current production backups to do direct vs conventional.

Thoughts.