×
ArticlesSPARC servers are server computers based on RISC processors, designed to handle demanding workloads easily and efficiently. They were originally developed by Sun Microsystems. Later, Oracle acquired them.
These servers are utilized in various industries like banking, finance, telecommunications, and even in government organization.
If you manage enterprise-level applications or databases, understanding SPARC servers could give you a competitive edge.
Here’s a breakdown of SPARC servers, their evolution, and future.
Oracle SPARC servers are designed to excel in critical computing environments like database and Java workloads.
They deliver rapid processing speeds, enabling businesses to tackle massive data loads and run complex applications seamlessly.
Their scale-up and scale-out designs reduce the cost of modernizing UNIX infrastructure. Additionally, Oracle includes the Solaris operating system and virtualization software at no extra cost.
Built-in acceleration for Oracle Database and Java workloads means enterprises can benefit from lower maintenance costs.
What separates SPARC from other server architectures? The answer lies in its unique blend of superior hardware, built-in security, and software optimization.
The SPARC M8 processor sets benchmarks that redefine industry standards. With record per-core performance for Java operations, robust application processing becomes effortless.
Security lapses are a business killer. SPARC servers mitigate vulnerabilities using:
When sensitive customer or application data is involved, the stakes are too high to settle for anything less than what SPARC delivers.
Oracle SPARC servers are inherently built to handle Oracle Database and Java workloads. Features like Data Analytics Acceleration take software performance to the next level.
Upgrading often feels risky – but not with Oracle SPARC. Thanks to the Binary Application Guarantee, existing applications transition smoothly to new SPARC systems without any changes.
In an enterprise that is running hundreds of applications, complexity can be overwhelming. However, with the availability of Oracle SPARC servers offering up to 384 cores and 48TB of memory, application consolidation becomes easier.
Oracle SPARC servers include sophisticated security features. They tackle threats of the future and the present. Below are some essential security features:
SPARC processors integrate up to 16 built-in cryptographic algorithms directly into the hardware, allowing for seamless data encryption without slowing performance.
By preventing invalid operations on applications data, the Silicon Secured Memory present in SPARC M8 and S7 processors eradicates buffer overflow vulnerabilities.
Hardware failures are inevitable, but downtime shouldn’t be. SPARC servers comprise these three features:
They ensure your most critical applications run uninterrupted, even during repairs.
Optimized for SPARC servers, Oracle Solaris is recognized as the leading UNIX operating system for enterprise applications.
A guarantee that legacy applications work seamlessly with new SPARC systems without making any changes to them.
Anti-malware protection reinforces security from kernel to application, protecting data and securing systems against cyberattacks.
With clear and real-time insights provided by higher observability capabilities, customers can quickly troubleshoot errors.
Using a single command to update all Solaris installations makes life easier for IT administrators and lowers costs. Additionally, reporting compliance across multiple nodes helps customers save time and money.
There are various SPARC servers, each known for their key features and functionalities. Let’s take a look at them:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Scale-up Design | Up to 256 cores and 8 TB of memory reduce data center complexity. This increases consolidation efficiency for UNIX applications. |
| Isolated Partitions | Two physically isolated partitions within the SPARC M8-8 system increase application availability. This is done without increasing data center complexity. |
| Efficient Virtualization | Virtualization without cost allows customers to run more than 100 virtual machines per processor. This lowers both data center complexity and costs. |
| Memory Sparing | Prompt memory error detection and recovery through built-in DIMM sparing ensures that business applications run uninterrupted during memory failures. |
| High-throughput Design | Workloads are accelerated for data-intensive UNIX applications. With up to 76 TB of internal NMVe flash storage and 24 hot-pluggable PCIe 3.0 (x16) slots, |
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Architecture Scalability | Single, dual, and four-socket SPARC T8 servers improve efficiency. They are optimized for different-sized UNIX workloads. |
| Optimized Designs | Systems with 32 to 128 processor cores, up to 4 TB of memory, and up to 51 TB of NVMe flash storage support various UNIX workloads at a lower total cost of ownership. |
| Logical Domains | By dividing the system into isolated sections, users can efficiently allocate resources, ensuring higher application availability. |
| Built-in Virtualization | With near-zero system overhead, the built-in virtualization allows over 100 virtual machines per processor, lowering both complexity and costs. |
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Compact Design | SPARC S7-2 servers have 8 or 16 high-performance cores. They support up to 1 TB of memory. They offer up to 25 TB of NVMe flash storage or 9.6 TB of disc storage in a 1U form factor. This setup reduces deployment costs for UNIX infrastructure. |
| Versatile Design | 2U SPARC S7-2L servers have 16 high-performance cores. They support up to 1 TB of memory. They can also provide up to 25 TB of NVMe flash storage or 31 TB of disc storage. These servers can run data-heavy UNIX workloads wherever needed. |
| SPARC S7 Processor | The SPARC S7 processor improves application performance. It has efficient cores and memory bandwidth. It also includes built-in accelerators for data analytics. This feature offers benefits compared to x86 systems. |
| Scale-out Solutions | SPARC S7 servers provide scale-out solutions that enhance customer value. They combine high security, performance, and reliability. They also include Software in Silicon features that standard systems do not have. |
Fujitsu SPARC M12 Servers
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Extreme Per-Core Performance | The Fujitsu SPARC64 XII processor offers the fastest per-core performance for arithmetic tasks. This allows applications to run faster than on other UNIX platforms. |
| Modular Architecture | The Fujitsu SPARC64 XII processor offers the fastest per-core performance for arithmetic tasks. This allows applications to run faster than on other UNIX platforms. |
| Scalability | Customers can consolidate demanding workloads and reduce data center complexity with up to 32 processors, 384 cores, over 3,000 CPU threads, and 48 TB of DDR4 memory. |
| Capacity on Demand | Per-core activation lets customers pay only for the processor cores they use. This reduces the cost of supporting UNIX workloads. |
| Advanced Design | Built-in reliability and serviceability features ensure stable operations. They include error detection and recovery to maximize uptime for critical applications. |
| Software on Chip | Software on Chip capabilities speed up Oracle Database functions. They do this by implementing key software features, like Oracle Number arithmetic, directly in the processor. |
Not all SPARC servers perform equally. The difference? Age matters more than you think.
Do you run your business-critical legacy applications on outdated SPARC servers, possibly designed 20 to 30 years ago?
If the answer is yes, you are putting your business at serious risk. If you haven’t realized the risk yet, it’s only a matter of time!
Here is why:
Aging SPARC servers are becoming increasingly vulnerable to unplanned downtime, costing a company up to $260,000 per hour. In addition to cost, downtime disrupts production and damages the brand reputation.
Aging hardware with diminishing vendor support becomes a financial burden. Higher energy bills and excessive data center space requirements also contribute to increased costs.
Older systems often lack defenses against modern cyberattacks, making them susceptible to cyberattacks.
Legacy architecture creates bottlenecks that hinder both operational efficiency and application performance.
Legacy system modernization doesn’t always mean creating something new. Solutions like hardware emulation enable businesses to lift and shift applications from outdated hardware, extending their useful life.
Stromasys, as a pioneer of legacy hardware emulation, eliminates the aging SPARC hardware so that mission-critical Solaris applications can run unmodified. That means you do not have to change your familiar processes and still run business applications on modern platforms.
Discover a zero-code, cost-effective, and quick ALTERNATIVE to complete legacy application migrations.
Despite their age and obsolescence, many organizations still cling to SPARC systems for their operations....
Read More
Companies still rely on mission-critical applications running on Sun SPARC, Alpha, or other legacy systems like PDP, VAX,...
Read More
SPARC hardware has been trusted by companies around the world for decades now, and rightly...
Read More