A Comparison of Oracle 9i with DB2 v8.1
Alexander Chigrik, chigrik@hotmail.com
Introduction
Often people in newsgroups ask for a comparison of Oracle and DB2. In this article, I compare Oracle 9i Database with DB2 Universal Database version 8.1 regarding price, performance, platforms supported, SQL dialectsand products limits.
Platform comparison
Both Oracle 9i Database and DB2 Universal Database version 8.1 supportall known platforms, including Windows-based platforms, AIX-Based Systems,HP-UX systems, Linux Intel, Sun Solaris and so on.
Hardware requirements
To install Oracle 9i under the Windows-based platforms, you should havethe following hardware:
140 MB
on the System Drive
plus 4.5 GB for the Oracle Home Drive (FAT)
or 2.8 GB for the Oracle Home Drive (NTFS)
To install Oracle 9i Database under the UNIX Systems, such as AIX-BasedSystems, Compaq Tru64 UNIX, HP 9000 Series HP-UX, Linux Intel, and SunSolaris, you should have the following hardware:
Hardware
Requirements
Memory
A
minimum of 512 MB RAM
Swap Space
A
minimum of 2 x RAM or 400 MB, whichever is greater
Hard disk space
4.5 GB
To install DB2 Universal Database v8.1 under the Windows-based platforms,you should have the following hardware:
Hardware
Requirements
Processor
Pentium
or Pentium compatible CPU
Memory
RAM:
256 MB minimum,
additional memory may be required.
Additional disk space may be required
on FAT drives with large cluster size.
To install DB2 Universal Database v8.1 under the UNIX Systems, suchas AIX-based systems, HP-UX systems, Linux and Sun Solaris, you shouldhave the following hardware:
Hardware
Requirements
Processor
For
AIX:
IBM RISC/6000 or eServer pSeries.
For HP-UX:
HP 9000 series 700 or 800 system.
For Linux:
Intel 32-bit,
Intel 64-bit,
S/390 9672 generation or higher,
Multiprise 3000,
eServer z-Series.
For Solaris:
Solaris UltraSPARC-based computer.
Memory
RAM:
256 MB minimum,
additional memory may be required.
Hard disk space
Typical
installation: 450 to 550 Mb minimum
Compact installation: 350 to 400 Mb minimum
Custom installation: 350 to 700 Mb minimum.
Software requirements
Oracle 9i Database comes in three editions: Enterprise, Standard and Personaland requires the following software:
Platform
Operating System
Version
Required Patches
Windows-based
Windows
NT 4.0
Service
Pack 5
Windows-based
Windows
2000
Service
Pack 1
Windows-based
Windows
XP
Not
Necessary
AIX-Based
AIX
4.3.3
Maintenance
Level 09 and IY24568,
IY25282, IY27614, IY30151
SuSE
Linux Enterprise Server 7
(or SLES-7) with kernel 2.4.7,
and glibc 2.2.2
Not
Necessary
Sun Solaris
Solaris
32-Bit 2.6 (5.6), 7 (5.7)
or 8 (5.8)
Not
Necessary
Sun Solaris
Solaris
64-Bit 8 (5.8)
Update
5
DB2 Universal Database v8.1 comes in six editions:· DB2 Enterprise Server Edition (ESE)· DB2 Workgroup Server Edition (WSE)· DB2 Workgroup Server Unlimited Edition (WSUE)· DB2 Personal Edition (PE)· DB2 Universal Developer's Edition (UDE)· DB2 Personal Developer's Edition (PDE)and requires the following software:
Platform
Operating System
Version
Required Patches
Windows-based
Windows
NT 4.0
Service
Pack 6a or higher
Windows-based
Windows
2000
Service
Pack 2 is required for
Windows Terminal Server
Windows-based
Windows
XP
Not
Necessary
AIX-Based
AIX
4.3.3 (32-bit)
Maintenance
Level 9 or later, and
APARs IY22308, Y32690, and IY33024
AIX-Based
AIX 5L
(32-bit)
Maintenance
Level 2 or later
AIX-Based
AIX
5.1.0 (32-bit)
Maintenance
Level 2 or later, and
APARs IY31254, IY32217, IY32905,
IY33023, and IY29345
AIX-Based
AIX
5.1.0 (64-bit)
Maintenance
Level 2 or later, and
APARs IY31254, IY32217, IY32905,
Y33023, and IY32466
HP-UX
HP-UX
11i
December
2001 GOLDBASE11i,
December 2001 GOLDAPPS11i bundles
