---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Florida SunFlash Sun/Informix TPC-B Benchmark Results SunFLASH Vol 28 #8 April 1991 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- SPARCservers Running Informix Tops in Price/Performance MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. --April 10, 1991-- Both high-end and low-end SPARCservers(TM) from Sun Microsystems running the INFORMIX-OnLine 4.0 RDBMS achieved some of the industry's best ratings for throughput and database price/performance according to the most accurate, widely accepted benchmark, the two companies reported today. The benchmark is defined and monitored by the Transaction Processing Performance Council and is called the TPC Benchmark(TM) B. The Sun/Informix results, audited by Codd and Date, follow strict standards set by the TPC's 37 members, comprised of industry-leading hardware and software vendors. Sun's low-end SPARCserver 2 running the OnLine DBMS performed at 39.7 tpsB (transactions per second/Benchmark B) and was ranked at 2.6 K$/tpsB, a measurement of price/performance (the cost in thousands of the hardware, software and current maintenance over five years is divided by the transactions per second). The high-end SPARCserver 470 with OnLine was measured at 75.2 tpsB and achieved 4.5 K$/tpsB. Identical tpsB performance can be achieved on Sun's SPARCserver 490. Both Sun servers have a balance of CPU, I/O and networking performance that enable these computers to achieve exceptional application throughput, especially in database applications. More than 40 percent of Sun servers are used in database applications, including manufacturing, insurance policy and claims processing, securities trading, money management, banking, hotel and airline reservation management and healthcare. The SPARCserver 470 and SPARCserver 490 have been engineered for the most demanding server needs, utilizing mainframe technologies like IPI that deliver fast I/O. For example, the SPARCserver 490 is expandable up to 32 gigabytes of storage and 768 megabytes of memory. The SPARCserver 2 is a small, powerful server for small- to medium-sized workgroups that need excellent performance for a low cost. Sun servers have the largest market share -- 46.7 percent -- of the UNIX(R) server market, according to Dataquest. The nearest competitor is Hewlett-Packard, with 23.2 percent. INFORMIX-OnLine is a high-performance UNIX database server with high-availability, multimedia support and optional distributed database capabilities. OnLine has been selected by five major hardware vendors for TPC-B benchmark testing and has achieved superior results on each, giving users a means for comparison across a variety of platforms. The leading TPC-B price/performance achieved by the Sun/Informix product combination is the result of close technical cooperation, which is part of a partnership that also includes joint marketing, selling and promotion. The TPC-B benchmark was created to bring accuracy and uniformity to testing system performance. The Transaction Processing Performance Council mandates full disclosure of all results and tight testing parameters. Such benchmarks are a useful way for database users to determine true transaction processing capabilities and the price/performance of hardware and software combinations. A copy of the full disclosure report can be obtained from Shanley Public Relations, (415) 295-8894. Informix Software, Inc., is a leading supplier of information management software providing solutions from the database through the desktop. Informix products include powerful distributed database management systems, robust application development tools and graphical- and character-based productivity software for delivering information to every significant platform. Headquartered in Menlo Park, Calif., Informix has European headquarters in London and Asia/Pacific headquarters in Singapore. SPARCserver is a trademark of SPARC International, Inc., licensed exclusively to Sun Microsystems, Inc. Products bearing SPARC trademarks are based on an architecture developed by Sun Microsystems, Inc. UNIX is a registered trademark of UNIX System Laboratories, Inc. TPC Benchmark is a trademark of the Transaction Processing Performance Council. All other products or services mentioned herein are identified by the trademarks as designated by the companies who market those products. Inquiries concerning such trademarks should be made directly to those companies. ============================================================= Published TPC Benchmark B Results SYSTEM TPS-B K$/tps DBMS AT&T StarServer E 45.06 2.67 INFORMIX-OnLine DEC VAX 6000-540 (X4) 300.1 18.0 RDB/VMS DEC VAX 6000-560 (X3) 329.8 18.90 Oracle DEC VAX 6000-560 (X4) 425.7 18.31 Oracle DG Aviion 6420 94.2 4.87 INFORMIX-OnLine HP 9000 Series 842S w/HP-UX 63.2 6.2 INFORMIX-OnLine HP 9000 Series 852S w/HP-UX 90.1 5.3 INFORMIX-OnLine HP 9000 Series 852S w/HP-UX 110.0 2.99 ALLBASE/SQL IBM POWERserver 320 31.4 3.4 INFORMIX-OnLine IBM POWERserver 320H 39.1 3.1 INFORMIX-OnLine IBM POWERserver 530 41.2 4.0 INFORMIX-OnLine IBM POWERserver 540 48.4 4.7 INFORMIX-OnLine IBM POWERserver 550 63.8 4.8 INFORMIX-OnLine IBM POWERserver 950 61.1 6.3 INFORMIX-OnLine Sun SPARCserver 2 51.9 3.7 Sybase Sun SPARCserver 490 57.2 7.8 Sybase Sun SPARCserver 2 39.7 2.6 INFORMIX-OnLine Sun SPARCserver 470 75.2 4.5 INFORMIX-OnLine Benchmarking is a key way for database users to determine transaction processing capabilities and the price/performance of hardware and software combinations. In the past, benchmarking -- specifically TP1 and debit/credit tests -- was the primary means of comparison. But these benchmarking standards are loosely written and open to wide interpretation. In response, the TPC-A and, most recently, TPC-B, benchmarks were established by the Transaction Processing Performance Council to more accurately judge system performance. PR contact Cindee Mock (415) 336-3563 Informix Software, Inc. Cathy Donohue (415) 926-6651 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ For information send mail to info-sunflash@sunvice.East.Sun.COM. Subscription requests should be sent to sunflash-request@sunvice.East.Sun.COM. Archives are on solar.nova.edu and paris.cs.miami.edu. All prices, availability, and other statements relating to Sun or third party products are valid in the U.S. only. Please contact your local Sales Representative for details of pricing and product availability in your region. Descriptions of, or references to products or publications within SunFlash does not imply an endorsement of that product or publication by Sun Microsystems. John McLaughlin, SunFlash editor, flash@sunvice.East.Sun.COM. (305) 776-7770.