As well as providing glimpses of its new DRS 6000 models last week (CI No 2,001) – the machines were actually previewed as long ago as last February – ICL Plc also demonstrated its new patented relational database search accelerator in action. The accelerator, which derives from its unique CAFS Content-Addressable File Store, comprises both hardware and software, and is situated between the host and disk subsystems. Performance is improved by searching database tables at disk level rather than at processor level, without any need to change the application or the format of the data. Optimised for input-output processing, the search accelerator is able to handle bulk data searches at the speed of the disks. The TPC, Transaction Processing Performance Council, which helps define, promote and implement industry standards, has already published performance results for its database stress test, TPC-B. Using the DRS 6000 450, performance is said to be improved by 36% over the earlier 442 dual-processor machine. For the first time too, the audited results of tests on a full system simulation of transaction processing, TCP-A, were also released. The 450 again proved itself to be competitive when pitched against similarly priced systems from other suppliers. However, ICL, seemingly dissatisfied with benchmarks that do not reflect the real world, has taken the whole thing a step further. Complaining that vendors simply run their systems flat out to achieve results, it has begun tests that look at the number of transactions that may be performed per minute, TPC-C, as well as tests, which involve looking at performance on the basis of complex ad-hoc inquiries, TCP-D. The definitions of TCP-C and TCP-D were ratified only last month by the Council and the audited results of these tests are expected to appear by the second quarter of next year. As for Viking, the high-speed microprocessor developed by Texas Instruments, this is expected to be incorporated in an ICL machine, for release by the end of the year. It is to be a member of the high-end 7000 family and is to go under the name of 764. As yet, no pricing has been determined, but ICL is convinced that the popularity of the new model, and the range that is certain to follow, will see it through next year. At present, Unix System V.4.2 for use on Intel Corp workstations is on limited release to software developers, but volume sales are again expected by the end of the year. Destiny is projected to appear on Sparc servers by the first quarter of 1993.
