For many years large data-base systems have been synonymous of expensive mainframes and thus a domain of major computer manufacturers and vendors: today Grid-Computing/MPI technology makes it possible for clusters made of industry standard commercial computers to reach performance, scalability and reliability of enterprise class at a fraction of the costs of a traditional multi-processor system.

Main factors of such achievement are ORACLE RAC, Cluster Interconnect Infiniband of QLogic and the E4 ability of engineering and developing, in partnership with Oracle and CAPODARCO, an affordable, efficient and reliable technical solution.

According to Vincenzo Nuti, chief executive of E4: "the infrastructure designed by E4 Computer Engineering for ORACLE RAC stands out for its high performance and availability to access data. Performance and scalability of this solution are guaranteed by the 20Gbps QLogic Infiniband interconnection between rack nodes, whilst the SAN based on redundant paths provides the highest level of safety presently on the market.

Corrado Andreola, Oracle Database Administrator of DARCO Group, stated: "Oracle considerably improved our performance in terms of data management in all forms, from internal business analysis to real services, offering tangible benefits to citizens."

The E-RAC 8000 system is composed of four multi-core, four-way nodes with a Q-Logic 20 Gb/s Infiniband networking infrastructure. The cluster uses a highly dependable 4 Gb/s SAN FC to access the database, memorized on a storage SAS.

To continue improving on the solutions offered, E4 Computer Engineering - which meanwhile has become the largest server supplier to CERN in Geneva - will shortly release an updated version of the E-RAC 8000 drawing on the latest technological developments (8 Gb/s FC, 40 Gb/s QDR Infiniband, latest generation central processing unit (CPU)) to guarantee better performances at an even lower cost.