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Tai Fook Securities Transitioning to Sun Enterprise 10000 Server With Java Technology Applications Tai Fook Securities, one of Hong Kong's largest dealers, is replacing 100 Intel-based servers running Microsoft software with a Sun EnterpriseTM 10000 Server, running applications written in JavaTM programming language, an Oracle database and BEA's WebLogic Web Server. Nelson Ying, chief technology officer of Tai Fook's Group Information Technology, said that managing so many machines was consuming too much time and energy. The slightest software upgrade, for example, meant upgrading all 100 boxes. He was also concerned about the future. He felt the JavaTM 2 Platform, Enterprise Edition (J2EETM) was the architecture of choice for future development of secure, robust applications, and for that he felt he needed a large UNIXR server. The Windows-based systems were simply not up to what the company needed, Mr. Ying said. "We handle a billion Hong Kong dollars a day in transactions. We must constantly access the database to see which of our customers is on a margin call, someone with not enough money to cover his transaction," he said. Thousands of customer accounts must be accessed and processed in only a few moments. A UNIX system was clearly called for, he said. And the system had to be secure, robust, scalable and easy to manage. After looking at the major UNIX vendors, Mr. Ying said he and his team decided on the Sun Enterprise 10000 Server. He said, "We decided to begin with 20 CPUs and 24 gigabytes of RAM. We can grow to 64 CPUs and 256 gigabytes of RAM if we need to." One of the factors was Sun's Dynamic System Domains, a technology that allows the dynamic allocation of resources on-the-fly. If a problem needs all 20 CPUs, they can be dynamically dedicated to do the job. If, however, a few hours later--after trading closes, for example--the load is considerably less, the CPUs can be reallocated to do other things. It is even possible to run multiple SolarisTM Operating Environment (Solaris OE) systems. "We don't know how the trading will go on a daily basis. Sometimes we may need 12 or more CPUs because of heavy trading; other days, trading will be less," he said. The transition process is just beginning for Tai Fook. They have more than 3,000 programs written for the Windows platform that will be moved to the Java technology platform. The team is made up of about 40 in-house programmers and technologists. Some of them, Mr Ying said, would need to be trained and there would be new Java technology programmers joining. Mr. Ying said that although Intel-based Microsoft servers appeared cheaper, they became a nightmare to manage and carried unexpected costs. "Every time we buy software, we have to buy it for 100 machines. Then we need intrusion-detection software for each machine and more management software," he said.
Another important factor was the support. With the new system, Sun is
taking the lead on support. Even though Tai Fook is using an Oracle
database and a BEA Web Server, it will rely on the Sun Professional
ServicesSM Program for support.
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Tai Fook Securities Transitioning to Sun Enterprise 10000 Server
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