[Info-vax] Databases versus RMS

[David Froble]

JF Mezei wrote:
> Phillip Helbig---undress to reply wrote:
> 
>> The question is not "databases vs. RMS" but rather "good software vs. 
>> bad software.
> 
> 
> There is also the question of some system manager that understands
> robustness and failure modes versus a windows weenie who just buys any
> disk array, slaps on a database and then runs an important web site on it.
> 
> 
> Here is what the web site states:
> 
> ##
> dslreports.com is offline
> -------------------------
> 
> Update Wed Apr 18 09:54:54 EDT 2012
> 
> Well, the good news is we have a plan & I hope things will remain
> offline for no longer than the balance of this week. Unfortunately,
> equipment must be sourced installed, configured, and so on. Lacking a
> good explanation of what happened to "redundant" disk storage, I am
> reluctantly faced with just replacing it with more expensive gear. No
> certainty on times, yet. I will post a link to the gory details soon.
> 
> Update Tue Apr 17 04:14:29 EDT 2012
> 
> Things have turned out to be more complicated. Although no hardware was
> fried, our large storage array has decided, probably as a result of
> going dark in mid write, that our two sql servers can no longer have
> access to one of the small,  but important, partitions that makes up the
> larger SQL data area. All data  is present, but it refuses to offer it.
> At this point all courses of action involve long delays. When I know
> more I'll post :(
> ##
> 
> 
> As I am moving away from reliable VMS, I have to ask myself whether the
> above is something that is typical of non VMS systems (aka: i need to
> worry about this) or whether this is just the result of an inexperienced
> system manager.

First you should ask yourself why you're moving away from "reliable VMS".

Have all you VMS systems died?

Do your VMS systems no longer work as well as they did when new?

Has SIMH on x86 suddenly stopped working?

Did all your VMS systems "wipe" their system disk?

Inquiring minds would like to know your reason(s)?

> Having to buy a new disk array because SQL servers can't access the
> files when the system manager can see them is puzzling. (and one wonders
> how he will be able to move the databases to the new disk array).

If I had to bet my dollar, I'd suspect inept operations staff.

There are some rather un-savvy people using computers these days.  One good story, a 
friend received an HP notebook computer from a friend of his.  The story, the original 
owner got a virus on the notebook, didn't know what to do, bought a new notebook and sold 
the old one for $75.  There are people out there that junk the old computer when it gets a 
virus, and buy a new one, because they don't know any better.

The windoze world is a new adventure every day, and it ain't the computers, it's the users.

I'm guessing the guy that got a virus on his computer continued his innocent ways, and in 
another couple of days was ready for yet another new computer.  The HW mfgs must love 
people like this.