Periscope is a software product that enables enterprise data access
using the Oracle database. Periscope uses a combination of
ODBC/JDBC drivers and patented technology to create a connection
between an Oracle database and external data sources. With Periscope
installed, your applications will have full function real-time data
access across all platforms and data sources. Drivers are available
for most platforms and databases.
Periscope’s advantages
Real-time
access to most data sources
Data
virtualization allows existing applications to access data
transparently
No
modifications or special APIs are required to use Periscope data
Data
is available to support the zero-latency decision-making process
Significant
reduction in total cost of ownership
A
truly open architecture is achieved
Other benefits include:
Follows
the company’s current security model
One
tool to access all data sources
Ability
to synchronize data with other data sources
Leverage
existing systems
Platform
independent
The problem
Accessing real time enterprise data in a cost-effective manner.
The solution
Data virtualization – the ability to view data from disparate
sources without knowing or caring where the data actually resides.
Periscope is revolutionary because it allows users to access
enterprise data without having to expend a great amount of time and
resources. Periscope helps customers access their enterprise data
from disparate data sources – in other words, it virtualizes your
data. It drastically reduces the cost of integrating multiple
systems because information residing in different systems and data
sources can be accessed, updated and moved transparently to the
users and developers. Because Periscope can access information from
most data sources, it has the power to rapidly assimilate systems
without expensive and lengthy integration efforts. Data is also
transparently accessible from SMTP, HTTP, HTTPS, XML and SOAP via
Periscope. In fact, any data can be virtualized with the Periscope
Data Virtualization Toolkit.
As
competition for customers and market share intensifies, companies
are seeking ways to gain a competitive advantage. For the majority
of firms, the advantage lies within their corporate data sources.
The data is located deep within legacy systems, disparate databases
and data sources. Gaining access to this data is a monumental task
in and of itself. This is particular true when attempting to achieve
zero-latency data access.
Security
Periscope utilizes the existing security architecture of the data
sources that Periscope is accessing. The proprietary combination of
technologies leverages the inherent security features of existing
applications through the chosen JDBC driver, XML, HTTP, SOAP, and
SMTP connections.
The
chosen external data source access user will be confined to any and
all security rules that currently exist. External data source
administrators maintain total
control over the privileges allowed. All of the database gateway
passwords are stored in encrypted form – both in the database and
the operating system levels.
Data Access
Periscope allows the end users and organization development teams
access to external data sources without even knowing that the data
exists on another system. In other words, the database appears to
“live” in the Oracle database. The data may reside in a database
(Access, SQL Server, Informix), on a Web Service (via SOAP or XML/RPC),
from a Web site, or even an Excel spreadsheet. When an insert,
update, delete, or select is performed, the user sees only what
appears to be an Oracle database table.
Once configured, data sources are now viewable from within the
Oracle database and can be manipulated as if they were any other
Oracle table. Changes (insert, update and delete operations) can be
performed on the Periscope Oracle tables. Complex queries can be
written. Any program that can access Oracle will recognize the
Periscope database tables. All of the advanced features of the
Oracle database can now be used against the Periscope Oracle tables.
In
addition to traditional Data Manipulation transactions, TUSC has
developed an auto migration utility that allows you to quickly
select a group of tables to either create Periscope Tables for or to
actually copy directly into the Oracle database. This helps with the
integration or migration of large databases.
Any
source of data can be virtualized. For example, through JDBC alone,
over 100 distinct database technologies are supported. The Periscope
data virtualization toolkit allows programmers to virtualized ANY
source of data (as if it’s a local database table).
Data Access Approaches
There are many ways our Clients utilize Periscope. The following
diagrams depict just a few suggested configurations and their
benefits:
Periscope
as a Legacy Database Appliance
Periscope
for Business Data Integration
Periscope
for Database Conversions
Periscope as a Legacy Database Appliance
Consider situations where data is contained within a Legacy
platform, yet new Business applications use file access tools that
are more situated for data access from a Relational database.
Periscope can connect to the Legacy platform, virtualized the file
system within Oracle, and give the application programs real-time
relational access to the Legacy data.
Periscope for Business Data Integration
Consider situations where the data is loaded into the correct
database type, but it’s organized in a way that does not suit your
new application needs. Perhaps your business has a series of
Microsoft SQL/Server databases and you have a need to access them
all in a consistent manner. Periscope can link to the databases and
map the data you need back into Oracle tables that fit your exact
application needs.
Periscope for Database Conversions
Periscope can be used to convert and migrate databases. Use
Periscope to connect to the source and target databases. By writing
a simple script, data can be selected from one database and inserted
into another.
Performance
Periscope is extremely fast. In fact, while fetching 100 records at
a time, we queried 2,000 records (from a 1GB/8 million row Microsoft
Access table) in 7.5 seconds! 20,000 records were queried in about
78 seconds. By adjusting our table connection parameters, we began
fetching 200 records at a time, which decreased our time to 76
seconds. Fetching 10 records at a time increased to 107 seconds.
These metrics are based on all components (Oracle database,
Periscope and Access) all running on the same 1Ghz desktop machine.
Even
performing a full table scan of the Microsoft Access table with more
than 8 million rows yields favorable results: 960 rows queried using
a non-indexed column in less than 42 seconds! In fact, it’s
important to note that the where clause is sent to the remote data
source, so indexes on the remote database are used. Data will be
limited BEFORE sending the data back to Oracle. Also, the bulk of
the processing is performed in the remote database, not in the
Oracle database, so transactions are distributed. Oracle/Periscope
simply receives the virtualized data, which limits the processing
requirements.
The
overhead for Periscope is minimal, varying between 10 and 150
milliseconds per query. In benchmarks, no noticeable overhead was
found per row queried.
The
exceptional performance of Periscope is possible by utilizing the
inherent performance characteristics of the external data sources.
When a user selects data from a Periscope virtualized table, only
the relevant data is retrieved from the external data source.
Processing and network time is optimized!
System Requirements
Periscope runs within a copy of an Oracle database. On top of
Oracle, and Periscope, we load database specific drivers that are
used by Periscope for platform access.
Oracle
database (Standard Edition - Version 8.1.5 thru 10g)
Oracle
Certified Operating System Version and Service Pack Level
JDBC
drivers for all external data sources that you wish to virtualize
The
administration component for Periscope (the component that creates
the Periscope Gateways and Table Connections as described below) is
accessed thru the Microsoft IE browser. Periscope administrative
tools run within an application server, which only has to be
accessible during the configuration of Periscope.
JSP
Capable Web / Application Server (ie. 9iAS, Apache/Tomcat)
Periscope Administration Component
Everything necessary for the configuration and maintenance of
Periscope, following the installation, is performed via the chosen
browser by means of JavaServer Pages. No modification is required of
existing systems. If those systems can perform queries against
“Oracle tables,” they will be able to query Periscope Table
Connections transparently.
All
administration begins at Periscope’s main menu. Whether you’re
defining the JDBC Drivers, building/testing Database Gateways or
Table Connections, or migrating an entire database it’s easily
accomplished with the browser user interface. The Periscope
Administrative Tool walks you thru the step-by-step process to
install a connection between a database and Oracle.
Testing/Benchmarking Table Connectors
While configuring Periscope database connections, the administrative
tool will test the links to verify complete access. Testing and
Benchmarking Table Connectors is easy with Periscope. The JSP
application queries
rows (again Oracle using JDBC) and reports the
performance statistics. Rows can be queried with or without
displaying the records.
Migration Assistant
Migrating entire databases with Periscope is easy. Simply choose the
Database Gateway to migrate, pick the tables to migrate (or copy),
and finally choose whether to create Periscope Table Connectors
(virtual links to the remote database) or physical Oracle tables for
each remote database table selected.
Periscope Properties
All
of Periscope’s properties can also be modified via the JSP user
interface. Data type translations, directory mappings, executable
names, Oracle connection (that Periscope objects are created
within), reserved words, and more are all maintained through the
Periscope Administrative Tool.
The Future of Periscope
When
Periscope was conceived and first developed, it allowed access to
data sources via JDBC drivers. While in pilot, customers began to
request access to other data sources. It was at this point that it
was
realized the real potential behind the concept of database
virtualization. Based upon Client requests to access other data
sources, JDBC drivers continue to be developed and configured for new database
connectors. Periscope’s developer data virtualization toolkit allows
ANY data to be virtualized.
Recently we have begun to see developments with IBM and Microsoft
that recognize the value of seamless disparate database access. A
few years from now we anticipate that customers will have a number
of vendors with data access approaches to choose from. For now, we
are proud of this leading technology and
Periscope is unique in the marketplace.
Access ALL of your disparate databases SEAMLESSLY from your Oracle
databases with Periscope.
