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Oracle Database Support for Server Virtualization
Updated December 7, 2009
Support Policy
• Server virtualization software allows multiple operating system instances to run
on the same server. Oracle provides this functionality for x86 platforms with it’s
Oracle VM offering. Several third parties also have offerings that provide similar
functionality. This document describes support provided by Oracle for its
software running in third party server virtualization solutions.
• Except as described in this document Oracle does not test or certify third party
server virtualization solutions.
• For Oracle customers running supported third-party server virtualization
solutions, which have been certified with Oracle Software products, Oracle will
provide equivalent level support to what is available for the native hardware, and
jointly work with the virtualization vendor to resolve any problems¹.
• For Oracle customers running other third-party server virtualization solutions
which have not been certified with Oracle software products. Oracle will provide
support for issues that are known to occur on the native OS, or can be
demonstrated not to be a result of running on the server virtualization software.
Oracle may request that the problem be reproduced on the native hardware.
• RAC only supported on validated configurations
1 – A valid support agreement with both parties is required
Server Virtualization Technologies
Server
Virtualization
Hardware Virtual OS
Partitions Machines Partitions
• Physical Partitions • Binary translation • OS Partitions
• Electrical/Physical isolation • Run time translation • Must run same OS
• Native HW speed • Any HW/Any OS •,Some support different
• Dedicated resources levels of same OS
• Usually slower • Limited fault isolation
• De-privileged kernel
• Virtual Partitions • Para-virtualization may not be compatible
• Near native HW speed • Special OS build with all apps
• More fine grain resources • Any HW/Linux only • Near native speed
• Shared I/O, rest dedicated • Faster
• Shared Partitions • Hardware assisted
•Shared cpu resources • Latest HW/Any OS
•Dynamic cpu cycle
allocation • Hybrid mode
• Any
combination of other
modes
Dynamic Operations
• Available on native hardware • New capabilities
1. CPU resources 1. VM migration
• Add/remove cpu(s) • Online migration of a virtual
• Increase/reduce cpu cycles machine
2. Memory resources 2. Save/Restore
• Add/remove memory • Stop -> Save -> Restore
• Instant Save -> Restore
3. I/O resources
• Add/remove I/O card
• Add/remove device
ISV Support Levels (Sx)
1. Static Configuration Support Never
Changes
• The program runs in a static virtual environment.
Dynamic operations are not supported.
2. Dynamic Reconfiguration Safe
• The program does not fail as a result of resource
changes (CPU, memory, I/O). Infrequent
Changes
3. Dynamic Reconfiguration Aware
• The program is designed to recognize and
dynamically adapt to resource changes (CPU,
memory, I/O).
Frequent
Changes
4. Optimized and integrated
• The program has been modified to deliver new or
optimized capabilities in a virtualized environment.
Supported Virtualization Solutions
VENDOR Product Virtualization Processor Operating Hard Basic Live
Type Platform System(s) Partition Support Migration
Licensing
DB RAC DB RAC
Virtual Machine
Linux Pinned Only Yes Yes 2,3 Yes1 Test
Oracle Virtual (PV, HVM, Hybrid)
Oracle Machine Virtual Machine
X86, X64
Windows Pinned only Test No Test No
(HVM, Hybrid)
nPar Physical Partition IA, PA HP-UX Yes Yes Yes N/A N/A
vPar Virtual Partition IA, PA HP-UX Yes Yes Yes N/A N/A
HP
Integrity
Virtual Virtual Machine IA HP-UX Capped only Yes No N/A N/A
Machines
1 - Supported with Dynamic
Virtual Partition Power AIX Yes Yes Yes Yes Test
Oracle 11.1.0.7 LPAR
2 - Static support Micro-
Shared Partition Power AIX Capped only Yes Yes Yes Test
only. IBM partitions
3 - PV mode only.
VIO Server Shared I/O Power N/A N/A Yes Yes N/A N/A
Save/Restore of a WPAR OS Partition Power AIX No Yes No No No
running database not
yet supported. zVM Shared Partition zSeries Linux No Yes Yes N/A N/A
Dynamic
System Physical Partition Sparc Solaris Yes Yes Yes2 N/A N/A
Domains
SUN Logical
Domains
Virtual Partition Sparc Solaris No Yes Yes N/A N/A
Local Solaris Sparc, X86,
OS Partition Solaris Capped only Yes Yes N/A N/A
Containers X64
Not all Oracle database releases supported in each environment. Please check certify tab of metalink.oracle.com for release specific info
Special considerations for NUMA
• NUMA is enabled by default with NUMA capable environments
• When the database detects multiple cells at startup, NUMA mode is automatically enabled
• NUMA detection is based on H/W or OS APIs, depending on platform.
• NUMA mode should never be used in shared cpu environments
• NUMA can be disabled by setting the following init.ora parameters:
• _enable_numa_optimization = 'FALSE'
_db_block_numa = 1
• When enabled ccNUMA imposes some restrictions on dynamic reconfiguration
support, these are:
• Only cells visible at startup will be ccNUMA optimized, these are called base cells
• Dynamic reconfiguration during startup and shutdown is not supported.
• Dynamic reconfiguration during normal operations is limited as follows:
• Cells, cpus and memory can be added anytime
• Base cells must not be removed.
• The last cpu on a base cell must not be removed.
• Floating cells (added after last DB startup) can be removed.
• Note: there is no way to distinguish between base and floating cells.
• Automatic dynamic reconfiguration (i.e. as provided by WLM tools) must be
disabled.
Oracle VM - Single Instance Database Support
• Configuration
• Oracle Database 10.2.0.3 and above
• Guest OS : Oracle Enterprise Linux 4.x, 5,x
Red Hat Linux 4.x, 5.x
• Support for both 32 and 64 bit
• Oracle VM 2.1 and above
• Support for both para-virtualized (PV) and hardware virtualized (HV)
modes
• Use PV drivers in both modes
• Support for Windows guests and Live Migration is currently
planned on Oracle Database 11.1.0.7 only once testing is
completed.
Oracle VM - RAC Database Support
• Configuration
• Oracle Database 10.2.0.4 or above
• Guest OS : OEL or RHEL 5.1 or above
• Support for 32 and 64 bit modes
• Oracle VM 2.1.5 or above
• Only para-virtualized mode supported
• Static mode support only
• Live Migration, dynamic resource changes (CPU/Memory) currently
not supported
• Configuration Best Practices
• Each RAC node must be deployed on a separate physical server for
production environments
• Use physical block devices for database files
• CPU over-commit up to 2 times is supported but not recommended.
