Oracle Database 12c Takes Aim At The Cloud

Oracle has made its latest database, Oracle Database 12c, available for download from the Oracle Technology Network. It introduces 500 features, the company says, including a multitenant architecture to help customers consolidate databases on the cloud and manage them as one; each database can be plugged into the new multitenant architecture to look and feel like a standard Oracle Database to existing applications.

The new multitenant feature in 12c works with existing Oracle Database features, such as real application clusters, partitioning, compression, automatic storage management and transparent data encryption. Another new set of features includes automatic data optimization: Administrators are able to easily distinguish data that is very active, read-only and rarely read. By using smart compression and storage tiering, they can define server-managed policies to automatically compress and tier online transaction processing (OLTP), data warehouse and archive data based on the activity and age of data.

Oracle Database 12c also includes several high availability features, such as load balancing and failover to globally distributed database configurations and extension of zero-data-loss standby protection to any distance regardless of latency.

Compuware Expands Oracle, SAP and Citrix Support

Compuware has added new features to its APM suite to help enterprises better understand the correlation between network and application performance and isolate problems that affect end-user experience across Web, middleware, database and network tiers, including new capabilities for Oracle, SAP and Citrix.

Compuware APM has enhanced support for Oracle E-Business Suite Intelligence with automated multi-level reporting that identifies business processes that suffer from network quality issues or server response issues. Extended SAP analysis auto-discovers SAP transactions and users to help IT teams have an immediate understanding of how application and infrastructure issues impact user performance. Finally, new Citrix XenApp and XenDesktop analysis automatically identifies individual users, applications and transactions, and correlates performance to the supporting network infrastructure to identify why users are facing performance issues.

Compuware APM's dashboards are also now also available on iPhone, iPad and Android mobile devices.

CTERA Updates Cloud Storage Platform

CTERA Networks has launched version 4.0 of its cloud storage platform, which includes new file sync and share, mobile security and cloud storage SLA capabilities. The platform combines cloud-side management software and on-premise cloud storage gateways and end point agents to help enterprises provide scalable cloud storage services, using underlying storage infrastructure from vendors such as EMC, IBM and Amazon Web Services.

Version 4.0 offers per-tenant SLA policies that control in which storage bucket an organization's data is stored, wider platform support for backup of virtual servers and expanded scalability to hundreds of thousands of users. Other new features include the ability to create and use team workspaces based on Active Directory groups so IT administrators can control file sharing, remote wipe mobile devices (including Apple iOS- and Android-based systems), and sandbox synchronized files on a mobile device.

CTERA's cloud platform now also offers Microsoft Hyper-V and SharePoint backup, in addition to existing Microsoft Exchange, SQL Server and Active Directory backup, and includes Active Directory integration for user authentication and single sign-on.

Xirrus Access Point Geared For Extreme Conditions

Xirrus' XR-520H AP, a two-radio ruggedized access point for outdoor use across large open spaces and in harsh environments, is now generally available. The new access point extends the XR-500 AP series for IT administrators who design outdoor wireless networks for university campuses, health care facilities, stadiums, resorts and retail malls, and uses the company's ArrayOS operating system found in Xirrus' XR AP and Array portfolio.

The XR-520H is built for operation in extreme conditions, including temperatures ranging from -40C to 55C, and comes with a variety antenna options, including 30-, 60-, and 90-degrees directional as well as omni-directional antennas for optimized coverage. Like the rest of the of Xirrus XR line, the XR-520H features common functionality, management and cloud-based zero-touch provisioning. It also supports Power over Ethernet (PoE) and can be managed using the Xirrus Management System on-premise or via the cloud.

Anturis IT Monitoring Tool Targets SMB

Anturis has commercially launched its cloud-based monitoring and troubleshooting platform for Web services and IT infrastructure. It is aimed at small and midsize enterprises that may not have access to, or budgets for, a dedicated IT department and provides website, server, Web app, MYSQL and network monitoring.

Based on beta feedback, Anturis has updated the platform with several new features and enhancements, including an upgrade to its website monitoring setup. The system automatically selects multiple monitoring locations to maximize monitoring efficiency and minimize the number of connection-related issues and false positives. The commercial version also has GUI and usability enhancements, such as improved wizards, and extends diagnostic data for faster troubleshooting, such as presenting the list of top five CPU-consuming processes at the time of CPU overload.

Pricing for the Anturis IT monitoring platform varies, depending on the number of monitors. A free version is available for up to five monitors.