[tw04]

SPARC hardware is also dead.

Their core reference platform moved from SPARC to Linux + X86 almost a decade ago. They pushed Exadata down everyone's throat at the time with their "it'd be too bad if we have to audit you unless you buy this new hardware" approach.

https://www.oracle.com/engineered-systems/exadata/

[justin66]

I'm endlessly surprised that Oracle has enough customers to support them. I was familiar with the reasoning a long time ago but so many of those same users have moved on to SQL Server or open source stuff.

[shrubble]

I have seen some of the hardware on eBay for not much money - can they take a regular Linux or possibly OpenIndiana distro being installed on them?

[tw04]

Yes, they’re standard x86 kit with I believe infiniband interconnects.