Optimizing Oracle Streams with BIG-IP WAN Optimization Module

Oracle Streams

Oracle Streams can capture Data Manipulation Language (DML) and Data Definition Language (DDL) changes made to database objects and replicate those changes to one or more other databases. In other words, you can configure an Oracle Streams environment with one database that propagates changes, or you can configure an environment where changes are propagated between databases bi-directionally.

While this is a highly effective way to keep databases in synch, for most installations the volume of change in a busy database makes remote use of Oracle Streams rather problematic. A multiple record update generates one logical change record (LCR) per row impacted, which can quickly swamp your outgoing WAN connection. For remote connections, sent data needs to be protected in order to meet requirements of both compliance and risk management.

BIG-IP WOM can optimize the way data is sent over the network, due to the fact that LCRs share common data and are often highly repetitive. Utilizing the layered approach to WAN optimization that includes functionality in BIG-IP Local Traffic Manager (LTM) and functionality explicit to BIG-IP WOM, BIG-IP devices can speed Oracle Streams communication over the WAN by a considerable amount. The ability to encrypt the Oracle Streams connection via BIG-IP devices means that SSL encryption is offloaded from the server, freeing up resources for more Oracle Streams and Database processing.

Solution

BIG-IP WOM enables customers to:

• Accelerate data replication/backup across the WAN
• Mitigate the effects of latency
• Optimize existing bandwidth to replicate/back up the same data, thus controlling costs and eliminating the need for costly bandwidth upgrades
• Guarantee bandwidth and prioritize backup/replication traffic
• Meet standards for data backups and recovery times

BIG-IP WOM does this by layering optimization techniques onto the F5 TMOS product platform.