Oracle Adds Database In-Memory Caching Option

Oracle releases a new version of its TimesTen In-Memory database as well as a new database caching option for 11g customers. Both offerings are aimed at the middle tier.

Oracle has announced the release of Oracle TimesTen In-Memory Database 11g as well as a new database caching option in a nod toward the middle tier. 

The TimesTen In-Memory Database is a stand-alone in-memory relational database with full persistence and recoverability. With the caching option, Oracle is looking to improve application performance by caching data in-memory. The in-memory caches are transactional read-write caches with full persistence, recoverability and automatic data synchronization with the database, Oracle officials said. 

The database cache grid enables organizations to scale-out in-memory database caching via the online addition or removal of cache grid nodes without downtime. Each cache grid node can access data either from its local memory, another cache grid node or the back-end database.  

The company has added support for PL/SQL, OCI, and Pro*C in a bid to simplify the use of the Oracle In-Memory Database Cache by existing Oracle database applications. 

"The motivation behind that is to make it really easy for an existing Oracle database application to start using the in-memory database cache," said Marie-Anne Neimat, vice president of product development at Oracle. "There might be changes required [to the application], but they are substantially less than what would have been required in the past."

The feature also includes automated failover of in-memory databases and applications and integration with Oracle Clusterware and Oracle Data Guard to help avoid downtime and data loss in case of failure. 

"Oracle continues to add important enhancements to the Oracle TimesTen product, including tighter integration with its flagship Oracle Database," said Carl Olofson, an analyst with IDC, in a statement. "The Oracle In-Memory Database Cache option will enable Oracle Database users to realize the benefits of database caching technology with minimal changes to the source code of their existing applications. Database caching is used to deliver improved performance while ensuring high availability and reliability. These are critical elements for industries with real-time data management requirements."