Gavin Clarke of El Reg has written a really nice piece based on an interview with Scott: McNealy to Ellison: How to duck death by open source: Ex-Sun boss talks code, community, and underpants

Unlike so many other articles, this one is fair, balanced, and very respectful of Sun and its legacy.

My favorite quote has to be this, referring to the tactics of Microsoft, Intel, and the like: “I feel good as a company we didn’t engage in that. I sleep better at night — but not on a yacht!”

John Fowler delvers an Oracle Systems Strategy Update webcast. Better late than never.

There weren’t any surprises. The key take-aways I think are:

• Roadmap for SPARC and Solaris out to 2015.
• SPARC will deliver “2x plus performance improvement every 2 years”
• Ultimate devotion to SPARC platform.
• 2 SPARC server lines: T-Series for lots of threads, M-Series for lots of sockets.
• “Niagara”/”UltraSPARC” branding isn’t present at all… its all just “SPARC”.
• Solaris 11 is coming in last 2011 with a beta/preview coming to “enterprise customers” soon

The presentation really boiled down to “technology will move fast in the next 5 years, Solaris and SPARC rule.” Clearly Oracle has a plan and will execute strongly.

Maybe I have Sun-Purple colored glasses on, but it really felt like this lacked the kind of technical grit we were used to. There is no new exciting technology being introduced, no great innovation to look forward to, just steady incremental improvements in the technology. Feels a bit like HP really.

Solaris 11 was inevitable. You can’t introduce IPS to Solaris 10, it breaks too much, so Solaris 11 has to happen, and will bring with it all the Nevada goodness. It looks like following its release we’ll be seeing annual updates that will focus primarily on scalability (to optimize for expanding hardware capabilities) through 2015.

So, the good news is that finally have a roadmap and we know Solaris 11 is coming.

The bad news is that OpenSolaris wasn’t mentioned at all. That was expected though. As soon as Oracle took over in January the word was quickly spread that “OpenSolaris” is a four-letter word.

So, anti-climatic, but glad we finally got a glimpse into the future. All eyes now turn to that first Solaris 11 preview to come “soon”.

VDbench (so named for its creator, Henk Vandenbergh of Sun Microsystems, formerly StorageTek) is a truly incredible enterprise grade storage benchmark that is free and open source. In celebration of vdbench 5.02′s release I thought it time we discuss it.

One of the things I love about VDbench is that its implemented in Java. Its extremely portable (Windows, Solaris, Linux, AIX, OS/X and HP/UX) and includes a both GUI and CLI interfaces. For tools like this I love having a nice soft GUI to help get your feet wet and then a CLI for the real work… makes learning so much easier.

The GUI is accessed using the “-gui” argument (ie: vdbench -gui). Its use simplistic but helps you grasp the essentials. That is, you select some storage device to benchmark, then you modify a workload/run definition which describes what work will be preformed and how, and finally you execute a run.

The CLI is similar conceptually, you create a configuration file in which you define storage devices, workloads and run definitions. To execute the run you pass the config to “vdbench” and away it goes.

Lets start with a super simple config:

*Example 1: Single run, one raw disk

*SD:    Storage Definition
*WD:    Workload Definition
*RD:    Run Definition
*
sd=sd1,lun=/dev/rdsk/c0t0d0s0
wd=wd1,sd=sd1,xfersize=4096,rdpct=100
rd=run1,wd=wd1,iorate=100,elapsed=10,interval=1

First notice that we can insert comments with an asterisk. Next, we have 3 lines here:

• sd: Storage Device, this maps a name to a given physical device
• wd: Workload Definition, this describes the workload (read/write/block size/etc) and maps to one or more SD’s
• rd: Run Definition, this describes the run itself, mapping to a workload and describing how it run, such as interval, total length of the run, IOrate constraints, etc.

For simple configurations like that above you’ll likely only have these 3 lines, but as you get more complex you’ll add them. Try this bigger configuration on for size:

sd=sd1,lun=/dev/rdsk/c0t1d0s0
sd=sd2,lun=/dev/rdsk/c3t0d0s0

wd=randomWrite,sd=sd*,readpct=0,rhpct=0,seekpct=100
wd=seqWrite,sd=sd*,readpct=0,rhpct=0,seekpct=0
wd=randomRead,sd=sd*,readpct=100,rhpct=0,seekpct=100
wd=seqRead,sd=sd*,readpct=100,rhpct=0,seekpct=0
wd=randomRW,sd=sd*,readpct=50,rhpct=0,seekpct=100

rd=default

* Random Performance Tests
rd=default,el=1m,in=6,forx=(4K),forth=(32),io=max,pause=20
rd=run1_randomReads,wd=randomRead
rd=run2_randomWries,wd=randomWrite
rd=run3_randomMix,wd=randomRW

* Sequential Performance Tests
rd=default,el=1m,in=6,forx=(512K),forth=(32),io=max,pause=20
rd=run4_seqReads,wd=seqRead
rd=run5_seqWrites,wd=seqWrite

Here we use 2 disks instead of one, and we have multiple runs defined. The result is each run going sequentially till its done. So first my random read test goes, when its done my random write test goes, and so on until all 5 runs are done.

Lets look closer at the workloads which may be confusing at first. Consider this: “readpct=100,seekpct=100″ This says 100% Read and 100% Random (seek). So that’s a random read test. Whats strange at first is how you describe a sequential write test: “readpct=0,seekpct=0″. See where you could get confused? There is no “writepct” or “seqpct”. This may be odd but has advantages, for instance if you wanted a 60/40 R/W workload which is 50% random it would simply be: “readpct=60,seekpct=50″.

Here is a view of the output you’ll expect:

# ./vdbench.bash -f benr1 

Vdbench distribution: vdbench501fix1
For documentation, see 'vdbench.pdf'.

17:24:39.168 input argument scanned: '-fbenr1'
17:24:39.304 Starting slave
17:24:39.616 All slaves are now connected
17:24:43.007 Starting RD=rd_rg-1; I/O rate: Uncontrolled MAX; Elapsed=10; For loops: threads=64

Jan 26, 2010 interval        i/o   MB/sec   bytes   read     resp     resp     resp    cpu%  cpu%
                            rate  1024**2     i/o    pct     time      max   stddev sys+usr   sys
17:24:44.070        1   18382.00   143.61    8192  69.87    3.237  311.373   14.003    61.5  57.8
17:24:45.043        2   16803.00   131.27    8192  70.07    3.399  192.972   13.894    67.3  64.8
17:24:46.042        3   18560.00   145.00    8192  69.68    3.599  207.747   14.271    71.9  69.6
17:24:47.033        4   17956.00   140.28    8192  69.67    3.315  194.255   12.589    72.7  70.6
17:24:48.017        5   19263.00   150.49    8192  69.89    3.346  294.203   13.374    73.6  71.2
17:24:49.023        6   17014.00   132.92    8192  69.72    3.502  220.248   13.466    68.7  66.7
17:24:50.041        7   19367.00   151.30    8192  69.49    3.453  301.330   14.010    72.2  70.0
17:24:51.039        8   15713.00   122.76    8192  69.74    4.011  279.812   16.980    61.0  59.2
17:24:52.039        9   18643.00   145.65    8192  70.44    3.230  226.911   13.323    70.8  68.9
17:24:53.021       10   16376.00   127.94    8192  69.82    3.940  224.594   14.232    69.5  67.2
17:24:53.032 avg_2-10   17743.89   138.62    8192  69.84    3.520  301.330   14.015    69.7  67.6
17:24:53.663 Slave localhost-0 terminated
17:24:53.697 Vdbench execution completed successfully. Output directory: /root/VD/output

In addition to doing raw tests it can also preform filesystem based workloads (similar but more primitive than Filebench in this respect). Using its sister-application “SWAT” you can trace I/O and replay it through vdbench. And all sorts of other crazy fun things. Best of all is that it has a fantastic PDF manual to help you understand all the essentials.

Over the last year or so I’ve become a huge fan of the tool. Particularly for testing raw storage, its simply awesome to get reliable and repeatable results for device capabilities which can then be used for math in architecting solutions. When you pair up this tool with FileBench you can build a very fine-grained and realistic testbed.

The message was simple:

Today’s my last day at Sun. I’ll miss it. Seems only fitting to end on a #haiku. Financial crisis/Stalled too many customers/CEO no more

Please post your thoughts on Jonathan’s leaving. Its a mixed emotion… on one hand he set some great goals and put a fire under things. A lot of us believed in him. And yet, he failed to execute and ultimately was responsible for Sun’s demise. Could someone else have done a better job and still kept the culture alive? I don’t know honestly.

I’ll continue to stay neutral on the subject and reserve judgment until the behind-the-scenes stories trickle out over the next months and years. Jonathan screwed up, yes, but I think that Jonathan also got screwed himself, more than we realize. Time will tell.

In other news, Oracle is finally doing what has needed to be done for years: Oracle to Revamp Sun Supply Chain. One of the biggest complaints by customers for years has been inability to get timely delivery of systems. Its good to see signs of that era ending.

Also, Project Darkstar & Kenai are being axed. Project Kenai, a SourceForge like project hosting service provided free by Sun, will close its doors on April 2nd 2010. You have untill then to get stuff out. One of the most important projects there, Immutable Service Containers (ISC) has moved to OpenSolaris.org.

On Jan 27th Sun, as an independent company, died and Oracle’s reign begins. No time was wasted. As you no doubt have noticed by now, sun.com redirects to Oracle.com, which is in keeping with its acquisition history… but even so it happened quicker than I expected. No time being wasted.

Oracle hosted a 5 hour (yes, 5) event in Redwood City (Oracle HQ) to lay out its strategy for Sun.

• Charles Phillips: Welcome and Oracle + Sun: Transforming the Industry
• John Fowler: Hardware Strategy
• Thomas Kurian: Software Strategy
• Edward Screven: Operating Systems and Virtualization
• Juergen Rottler: Customer Service and Support Strategy
• Jeff Epstein: Operational Strategy
• Larry Ellison: Oracle + Sun

Find all the above webcasts, both full and highlights, plus slide decks, here: Oracle + Sun: Transforming the IT Industry. If you only watch one, make sure to watch the final webcast with Larry which is an open Q&A.

(Selfish note: Joyent’s logo is on the customers slide in the Operating Systems and Virtualization presentation. w00t.)

This is followed up by a Oracle + Sun Welcome Event world tour beginning in March. Look for an event near you.

In addition, several webcasts have been produce in the last couple weeks discussing technologies and the strategy going forward. Find them all here: Oracle + Sun Product Strategy Webcast Series.

So onto the guys who got us here in the first place.

Jonathan returns to blogging, “With the passing of that milestone, I can once again speak freely”, in Where Life Takes Me Next…. He tells us how great things will be now that he’s not running the company, points us to his Twitter feed, and yet again extols the brilliance of Greg Papadopoulos.

Now, I probably shouldn’t pick a fight with Mr. Papadopoulos, but here goes. We hear again and again how brilliant this guy is… but look where we are. Seriously, how can you stand on the ruins of a fallen empire saved only because a neighbor took pity on us, and then tell us how brilliant one of the guys in charge was? I know I’m going to regret saying that, but he should have been smart enough to beat some sense into folks. I digress….

Scott McNealy, who took over for Jonathan either because the job wasn’t getting done or because he wanted to take credit for “saving” the company (I’m not sure which yet; maybe both), sent out a old-skool company wide memo: Subject: Thanks for a great 28 years. Best summary of the situation was: “This is a very powerful merger. And way better than some of the alternatives we were facing. ” Then he starts threading in capitalism, almost blaming but not blaming, the system as a whole for stacking the deck. I sense a story behind it all.

Scott gives us the answer to the horrible question “Why?!?!” We all know it, but its good to hear him admit it: “And though we did not monetize our inventions as well as we could have…” Under. Statment. Of. All Time.

Its all over folks. Oracle buys Sun, EU approved.

There will be a Oracle + Sun Strategy Update Webcast on Wed the 27th, so make sure to tune in for that. The invite was sent out yesterday, so looks like Oracle got early notice.

Just an update on the acquisition front… Oracle gets more time to respond to EC antitrust concerns. “The deadline for a final ruling has been put back to Jan. 27 from Jan. 19, which amounts to six additional working days for Oracle to win over the skeptical regulator.”

It’s become crystal clear, for those not following the issue, that this is really all about MySQL. As I and others have sited repeatedly, the de facto standard MySQL engine for enterprise deployments is InnoDB which is already owned by Oracle, which really puts a big dent in the argument. All this makes you wonder, would Oracle have still acquired Sun if they didn’t own MySQL? I tend to think, yes. Which makes that deal seem all the more ridiculous. All the same, Sun paid $1B for it, so the suggestion that Oracle should just let that entity break back off is even more ridiculous, not to mention just bad business.

When you die, turns out there are a lot of options. See, if you go the traditional route your headed for the ground, but if you opt for cremation all sorts of options open up… such as being put into a SPARCstation IPC…

I know what your thinking… but according to some follow up by CNet this isn’t a joke, its the real deal. And I kind of believe it, I personally want to be buried with a Sun E4500… just not inside it.

So to Alan, who ever you are, rest in piece my friend. In heaven there is no IT, just IT Enthusiasts telling stories forever and I’m sure the angels will have some good ones to tell to.

Ed Zander Interviews Larry Ellison at the Churchill Club on 9.21.09. I’m not seeing many people posting about this so I’m putting it out there. There are lots of rumors out there but this is the best info from the man himself. If you haven’t heard of the prestigious Churchill Club, it’s “Silicon Valley’s premier business and technology forum.” This is where the big wigs hobnob (and if you have some cash, should too).

This is must view material. Make some coffee, get comfortable and have a go.

Here are just a small handful of select quotes:
• “We are not going into the hardware business. We have no interest in the hardware business. We have a deep interest in the systems business.”
• “We have no interest in competing with Dell, [ and the Windows on X86 market...] we’re very interested in running airline reservation systems, and we’re very interesting in running banking systems, and telecommunications systems, and that requires both hardware and software.”
• “We are keeping everything! We are keeping tape, we are keeping storage, we are keeping x86 technology and SPARC technology, we’re going to increase the investment in it.”
• “…Solaris is overwhelmingly the best open systems operating system on the planet.”
• “MySQL and Oracle do not complete… at all!”
• “I’d like IBM to explain what they meant when they said they took 250 customers away from Sun. I don’t think there is a single example of any Sun customer who’s replaced all of their machines with IBM computers.”
• “Be clear Solaris is way better than AIX.
• “Sun machines run faster than IBM machines and cost less”
• “We wanna get it done to save as many jobs as we can!” (speaking of Sun loosing $100M per month while waiting for the EU decision)
• “We are _not_ going to spin anything off.” (speaking of EU pressure to potentially spin off MySQL)
• “We’ve been treating customers like computer hobbyists; go buy an operating systems, go buy some network switches and routers and..[...] We’ve been selling components.” (Speaking of the industry as a whole.)
• “Cloud…. I mean, cloud is water vapor.”
• “Cloud computing isn’t the future of computing, its also the past and the present.”
• “…But its not water vapor, its just a computer connected to a network! What are you talking about!” (Hilarious, 47minutes in, must watch.)
• “IBM is who we’re targeting, its who we feel we need to compete with to be successful ourselves.”
• “We’re a big supporter of Linux, but the fact is that Solaris just a much more mature OS, its just a fact. We became a big supporter of Linux years ago because it ran on smaller and cheaper X86 processors and Solaris did not, we had no choice. [...] So we are a supporter of Linux, but Solaris is a more mature operating system designed for bigger systems. We support both.” (1:17:00)

And many many more fantastic quotes, please forgive me if I got a word wrong here and there in the transcription above. Great praise for Solaris and SPARC technology and no signs that X86 is going to die. The worst I could come away with is that X86 isn’t going to go away but they aren’t going to compete in the commodity X86 market, so we may see a shift in those lines but by no means a retreat. Lets not forget that they are a big fan of the FISHworks Open Storage product and it relies on X86 systems. So I stick by my earlier guess that we’ll see some changes there and probably see the X86 line pruned slightly but not removed as, if nothing else, they’ll be components in larger systems offerings along side SPARC and storage.

Let me specially point out that John Fowler was the only Sun employee I heard mentioned by name. While Jonathan was whoring the company John (and many others) were hard at work and this hint that he’s not going anywhere makes me very very happy.

So I’m glad to see my earlier predictions continue to pan out. I think we are in for some painful changes but ultimately be headed in a better and more purposeful direction than we have been in a long time. In some ways I’m more hopeful about the future now than I have been in a long time, as far as management is concerned. The technology has continued improving at a fantastic rate despite management incompetence, and so a new management team up to the task of really driving the industry with it is very exciting. Taking IBM down? Now that’s a goal I can get behind and will really push the whole “company” hard with a much more purposeful direction; its the ambition we’ve been lacking and I think I like it.