ExaData Network

Oracle Exadata Rack Size

Rack SizeDB ServersStorage ServersTypical Use
Eighth Rack23Dev / Test / DR
Quarter Rack25Small–Medium Production
Half Rack47Medium–Large Production
Full Rack814Large / Mission Critical

Exadata Interconnect Network / Bond Speed (X5 – X11M)

Exadata ModelNetwork TypeSpeed Per PortBonded Speed
X5InfiniBand (FDR)56 Gbps56 Gbps × 2 = 112 Gbps
X6InfiniBand (FDR)56 Gbps56 Gbps × 2 = 112 Gbps
X7InfiniBand (EDR)100 Gbps100 Gbps × 2 = 200 Gbps
X8InfiniBand (EDR)100 Gbps100 Gbps × 2 = 200 Gbps
X8MRoCE (RDMA over Converged Ethernet)100 Gbps100 Gbps × 2 = 200 Gbps
X9MRoCE100 Gbps100 Gbps × 2 = 200 Gbps
X10MRoCE100 Gbps100 Gbps × 2 = 200 Gbps
X11MRoCE100 Gbps100 Gbps × 2 = 200 Gbps

 

Exadata Networking Overview

Oracle Exadata uses a high-speed low-latency internal network connecting
Database Servers, Storage Servers (Cells), and Switches.
This network enables features like Smart Scan, ASM rebalance, RAC cache fusion, and high-speed data transfer.

1. Client Network

FeatureDescription
PurposeApplication connections to the database
TrafficSQL queries, application requests
Network TypeStandard Ethernet (10Gb / 25Gb / 40Gb / 100Gb)
Example FlowApplication → Client Network → SCAN Listener → RAC Node

2. RAC Private Interconnect

The private interconnect network is used for communication between RAC database nodes.

UsageDescription
Cache FusionTransfer blocks between RAC nodes
Cluster HeartbeatMaintains RAC node communication
Parallel QueryData exchange between nodes

 

Exadata ModelNetworking Technology
X2 – X6InfiniBand (40–56 Gb)
X7 – X8InfiniBand (100 Gb)
X8M and LaterRoCE (RDMA over Converged Ethernet)

3. Storage Network (Database → Storage Cells)

Database nodes communicate with Exadata storage servers using a high-speed RDMA network.

FeatureDescription
Smart ScanQuery processing pushed to storage servers
Block ReadsFast data retrieval from storage cells
ASM RebalanceHigh-speed disk rebalance operations
Flash Cache ReadsAccess flash storage with very low latency

Exadata Network Architecture

ComponentTypical Full Rack Count
Database Servers8
Storage Servers12
Network Switches2 (Redundant)

Important Exadata Networking Commands

cat /proc/net/bonding/bondib0

ip addr

rdma link

ibstat

Key Advantages of Exadata Networking

FeatureBenefit
RDMAUltra low latency communication
High BandwidthFaster query processing
Redundant SwitchesHigh availability
Bonded InterfacesNetwork failover and load balancing

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Thank you,
Rajasekhar Amudala
Email: br8dba@gmail.com
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajasekhar-amudala/