BAPCo Debuts Benchmarking Software Which Measures the Performance of Database Servers.

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 14, 1998--The Business Applications Performance Corporation (BAPCo), a non-profit consortium of leading computer industry publications, independent testing labs, PC hardware manufacturers, software publishers, and semiconductor manufacturers today announces SYSmark(R) for Database Servers, "SYSmark(R) DB," the industry's preeminent server benchmark is designed to measure the performance of a multi-user computer operating as a database server in an open Microsoft SQL Server 6.5 client-server environment.

The first release of the SYSmark DB workload is driven from client personal computers, running Windows NT, and intended for the low to medium server market. The BAPCo committee is currently working on a future release, for the complete server line from low-end to high-end servers.

This SYSmark DB benchmark allows a fair comparison of database servers running Microsoft Windows NT with Microsoft SQL 6.5 Server as the database. The workload is driven from client personal computers and executed on servers of various architectures. The Clients are connected to the Server Under Test (SUT) via network connections. The benchmark uses the Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) protocol to communicate to the database. ODBC provides easy portability to other O/Ss and databases that support the ODBC protocol.

The client workstations must be capable of running 32-bit Windows applications and the application environment of the client workstations must provide support for ODBC drivers for the database management system installed on the tested server. The communication protocol must also provide support for the ODBC connections as well.

Key SYSmark DB "Ease-of-use" features include the following:

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--   fast ramp-up time;
--   help facilities for running, tuning and evaluating the benchmark
     program;
--   a menu-structure GUI interface with on-line help;
--   dynamic problem detection;
--   no audit requirement except for BAPCo's review process; and
--   low measurement and reporting costs compared to other database
     benchmarks.
--   Microsoft SQL 7.0 compliant.

     The SYSmark DB can be purchased in either the Standard or
Advanced versions. The Standard version is designed to provide a
Graphical User Interface (GUI) to a set of database benchmarks, which
includes:

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-- Database layout, build, and drop functionality. The database size

is configurable and the build process has exceeded 4 GB/hour on a

high-end system. -- Creation of Run Scripts which define batches of benchmark runs

which can be submitted to run with a few mouse clicks. These are

described as a combination of Workloads (Transaction Mix/Database

combinations), Number of Generators, Run-time, etc. -- Runs benchmarks, collect results, and present them as a

collection of graphs/tables. -- Automated Full Disclosure Report (FDR) process. This includes

retrieval of HW and SW configuration information, run rule

validity checking, and generation of a floppy for submission of

results. -- Automatic load distribution (proportional to the Client systems'

capacities). -- Automatic Deadlock recovery. Benchmark Abort capability. Built-in

crash recovery mechanism.

The Advanced version is focused on providing "what if" capabilities and adds:

-- Integrated performance-monitoring tools. This automates the

collection process during complex Run Scripts. -- Transaction mix editor:

View, create, compile, or customize transaction scripts.

Several execution orders (RandomOrder_FixedTime,

RandomOrder_FixedLoad, FixedOrder_FixedLoad).

Support for transaction weights and think times. -- Configuration editors:

Customizable Database definitions. Change the number or

characteristics of tables, indexes, or fields.

Alter the scripts used to determine how the tables and their

corresponding fields are filled. -- Supports user extensions to the benchmarking environment:

Integration of user defined monitoring tools.

Addition of user defined commands to the scripting language. -- Capacity Planning Tool

SYSmark DB can be used by:

-- Information technologists and end users who make purchasing

decisions for low to medium servers running Windows NT. -- Industry publications and testing labs in need of a robust tool

for evaluating server performance. -- Hardware developers who need to analyze and tune products under

development.

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     "Today, BAPCo breaks new ground again by introducing SYSmark DB,
a true SQL client-server database benchmark that is a cost effective,
easy to use, SQL 7.0 compliant rich tool," said John Florkowski,
BAPCo's president. "We expect demand to be high, since this is the
first easy-to-use database server benchmark with an automated Full
Disclosure Report feature."
     The Standard version SYSmark for Database Servers, Version 1, is
available for $995 on CD-ROM. The Advanced version is also available
on CD-ROM for $4,995. Copies of these products may also be downloaded
from BAPCo's web-site. Video training courses are available for both
versions of the benchmark which were developed and are supported by
the current BAPCo membership which includes: Adaptec, Amdahl
Corporation, Compaq, Dell, Federal Computer Week, Gateway2000,
Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Intel, InfoWorld, Lotus, Microsoft, Motorola,
NEC, Digital Equipment Corp., and Unisys.
     SYSmark DB and other BAPCo benchmark products can be ordered by
calling 800/321-0457. For more information, contact BAPCo, 2200
Mission College Blvd., RN2-02, Santa Clara, CA 95052; phone:
408/988-7654; fax: [phone]; Internet: http://www.bapco.com.

     Note to Editors: BAPCo and SYSmark are trademarks, or registered
trademarks of The Business Applications Performance Corporation. All
other names mentioned are trademarks, or registered trademarks of
their respective companies.