Oracle has introduced the Exadata X11M, an advanced high-performance appliance aimed at streamlining AI, analytics, and online transaction processing (OLTP) workloads. Unveiled today, this new model promises significant speed improvements while maintaining the same entry price as its predecessor.
This latest iteration of the Exadata line employs cutting-edge AMD EPYC processors alongside the Oracle Database 23ai, specifically engineered to manage demanding AI and analytical tasks ranging from vector AI processing to handling large table scans for analytics purposes. Oracle has claimed that the Exadata X11M exhibits remarkable enhancements in performance metrics: it boasts a 55% increase in speed for AI vector searches, achieves 2.2 times faster analytics scan throughput, and processes transactions 25% quicker than the previous model.
The specifications of the Exadata X11M highlight various upgrades that contribute to these performance enhancements. It features a notable 25% improvement in per-core performance, utilising the latest 96-core EPYC processors that are integrated into the Exadata X11M database servers. Additionally, the memory bandwidth has been increased by 33%, further solidifying its capabilities.
The Exadata X11M also includes high-capacity storage solutions, such as the High Capacity (HC) Storage Server and the Extreme Flash (EF) Storage Server. These appliances exhibit an 11% increase in processing power, attributable to the inclusion of the latest 32-core AMD processors. Furthermore, Oracle has upgraded the flash throughput significantly, achieving a 2.2 times improvement by migrating to PCIe5 with 6.8 TB cards for the Exadata Smart Flash Cache.
In an effort to accommodate different deployment needs, Oracle has additionally introduced the Database Server X11M-Z, designed for on-premises Exadata deployments. This version is equipped with a single 32-core AMD EPYC processor and allows for either 768 GB or 1.25 TB of RAM, while the standard Database Server X11M can expand up to 3 TB of RAM. The High Capacity X11M-Z Storage Server (HC-Z) also joins the lineup, enhancing versatility for larger installations.
The Exadata X11M supports deployment in various environments, including on-premises infrastructures and major cloud services such as Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure. According to Kothanda Umamageswaran, senior vice president of Exadata and scale-out technologies at Oracle, this flexibility offers substantial benefits to customers. Speaking to Datanami, Umamageswaran stated, “With Oracle Exadata X11M, we continue to provide customers with extreme scale, performance, business value, and the choice and flexibility to deploy wherever they need. Whether upgrading an existing system or deploying new applications on Exadata X11M, customers benefit from new levels of price performance, consolidation, and efficiency with resulting savings in hardware, power and cooling, and data center space.”
Through these innovations, Oracle positions the Exadata X11M as a leading solution in the current landscape of AI automation for businesses, making it a contender for organisations looking to enhance their operational efficiencies and capacity for handling complex tasks.
Source: Noah Wire Services