---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Florida SunFlash Sun MP Server Delivers Best TPC-A Price Performance in Industry SunFLASH Vol 38 #21 February 1992 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sun Multiprocessor Server Running Sybase RDBMS Delivers Industry's Best Price/Performance On TPC-A Benchmark Test Also Shows That Sun/Sybase Solution Can Support Many Terminals While Maintaining High Throughput MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. --February 24, 1992-- The industry's best price/performance on the highly regarded TPC-A benchmark was achieved by the SPARCserver(TM) 690MP system and SYBASE(R) SQL Server(TM) 4.8 relational database management system (RDBMS), today reported Sun Microsystems Computer Corp. (SMCC) and Sybase, Inc. SMCC's high-end multiprocessor server running the SYBASE RDBMS performed at 95.41 transactions per second (tps), with a cost/tps of just $8,836. This beats all TPC-A price/performance results for all systems, including all comparable UNIX(R) systems. TPC-A -- utilized as a measurement by leading vendors for systems ranging up to superminicomputers -- is the most precise, objective and well-accepted test for throughput and database performance. The test reflects a typical on-line transaction processing (OLTP) application, one of the most mission-critical areas within commercial markets today. The SPARCserver's TPC-A results indicate the system's suitability for OLTP functions within markets such as financial services, hotel and airline reservations, healthcare and insurance. In addition, technical areas such as manufacturing that need OLTP can also take advantage of the Sun server. The Sun/SYBASE TPC-A benchmark, audited by Performance Metrics, tested 960 terminals connected to a SPARCserver 690MP system running the Solaris(R) 1.0 distributed computing solution. Besides the outstanding price/performance of the Sun/SYBASE solution, the test results also demonstrate that in a client-server environment, the Sun and SYBASE products can support a significant number of terminals while maintaining a high level of throughput. "It's this sort of client-server performance coupled with the scalability of our 600MP family that makes the Sun platform a cost-effective long-term solution for Fortune 500 companies," said Nancy Colwell, director of marketing for commercial tools and technologies at SMCC. She added that the SPARCserver 600MP system family, introduced just five months ago, is already one of the most popular multiprocessor servers and is expected to become the volume leader by the end of the year. This server family has SPECthruput ratings (performance measure for multiprocessor systems) of 51 and 91, for two- and four-processor configurations, respectively. The family gives users the advantages of affordable multiprocessing, executing many jobs simultaneously for hundreds of users. Ugrading from two to four processors or to next-generation CPUs is easy with these servers, enhancing their cost effectiveness. The systems are also highly expandable, supporting up to 52 gigabytes of IPI disks and up to 640 megabytes of memory. The SYBASE SQL Server 4.8 RDBMS was designed for multiprocessor architectures. It features the same low operating system overhead and efficient memory utilization as the Sybase product for uniprocessor systems. SMCC and Sybase worked very closely together to tune their respective products for maximum database performance. Sybase Vice President of Marketing Stewart Schuster said, "The TPC-A benchmark is an ideal means to measure performance in a client-server environment. Our results on this benchmark show that the SYBASE Virtual Server Architecture delivers increased performance for large numbers of users, allowing organizations to maximize hardware investments and plan for growth." SMCC and Sybase also reported very good test results that were in the top 20 percent of all systems tested on the TPC-B benchmark for the SPARCserver 690MP and SPARCserver 2 systems, both running SYBASE SQL Server 4.8. On this test, the SPARCserver 690MP achieved a peak performance rate of 134.9 transactions per second at $2,779/tps, while the SPARCserver 2 achieved a peak performance rating of 62.11 tps at $2,294/tps. TPC-B determines the throughput performance of a database engine. Sybase, Inc., develops and markets the SYBASE system, a leading client/server-based RDBMS product family for on-line, enterprise-wide applications. The company offers proven technology combined with services and partnerships to provide customers with complete desktop to mainframe solutions. Headquartered in Emeryville, Calif., Sybase markets its products worldwide through its direct sales force, distributors, OEMs, VARs and system integrators. Sun Microsystems Computer Corporation is the world's leading supplier of client-server computing solutions, which feature networked workstations and servers that store, process and distribute information. Used for many demanding commercial and technical applications, Sun's products command the largest share of the computer industry's fastest-growing market segment: workstations and servers. SMI, founded in 1982 and headquartered in Mountain View, Calif., is a multi-billion dollar corporation doing business worldwide. ### Sun, Sun Microsystems, the Sun logo and Solaris are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. SPARCserver is a trademark of SPARC International, Inc. Products bearing the SPARC trademark are based on an architecture developed by Sun Microsystems, Inc. UNIX is a registered trademark of UNIX System Laboratories, Inc. SYBASE, SQL Server and Virtual Server Architecture are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sybase, Inc. All other product or service names mentioned herein are trademarks of their respective owners. Press Contact: Whitney Greer (415) 336-0598 Carol Sacks (415) 336-0521 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 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, paris.cs.miami.edu, uunet.uu.net, src.doc.ic.ac.uk and ftp.adelaide.edu.au 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.