Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!coplex!disk!proberts
From: proberts@disk.uucp (Phil Roberts)
Newsgroups: comp.databases
Subject: Re: Informix queries: raw partitions, price support
Keywords: Informix, raw, support
Message-ID: <1991Apr26.223734.8639@disk.uucp>
Date: 26 Apr 91 22:37:34 GMT
References: <461@octelb.octel.UUCP>
Organization: Digital Information Systems of KY
Lines: 56

jfd@octel.UUCP (John F. Detke) writes:


>Hello,

>We are trying to setup an Informix DB on a SPARCstation. Has anyone had any
>better luck with the Informix non-support line? Waiting 20 minutes on hold to
>talk to a decidedly non-UNIX support person is frustrating at best. Anyhow,
>our current problem is: Informix wants to chmod and chgrp informix /dev/rsd0d
>in order to use raw partitions. Why the heck do they have set-uid root programs
>then? The DBA wants the speed improvements, but I am reluctant to open up /dev
>like this. Am I being too paranoid? It doesn't help that the first instal
>the DBA did this (Having temporary root access) and promptly wrote over the 
>disk label. How do other sysadmins handle raw partition access?

I have been using Informix products since '86, and have never received 
anything less than excellent support and service from them.  Informix, unlike
many other large companies I have dealt with, gets all A's on my report card.

Sounds like you need a new DBA who knows what he's doing.

>Also: if Informix is listening: How the hell do you justify pricing Informix
>on a 4/490 $20,000 (or more, depending on who we talk to) more than on a
>SPARCstation II? I KNOW the code is the same! The SPARC II is arguably faster
>than a 4/490, but of course the 4/490 (should) handle heavy I/O better (but
>at $20,000 more I can buy another Sparc II with 1GB disk).    
>Oh, and please replace the person writing your install scripts. I am getting 
>sick of re-writting them properly.

Sounds like you had a grudge against Informix before you ever had any 
dealings with their support staff.  You were probably forced to use their
product by a manager who knew a good product when he/she saw it.  It's
tough when we have to learn a new product, isn't it.  (I don't remember
how to draw the smiley with it's tongue sticking out, but if I did I would
put it here.)  



>Can anyone recommend a DB that handles bin files that is saner than Informix?
>I would love to buy a reasonable & supported product.

Try Informix 4GL or Informix SQL.  :-)


>Please use email, I will summarize if there is interest.

>Thanks,
>jfd

>-- 
>John F. Detke
>Octel Communications Corp
>890 Tasman Drive
>M/S 05-04
>Milpitas CA 95035
>jfd@octel.com