Ignite FAQ

Install & Setup

Running a Trial

Product & Architecture

Ignite Features

Install & Setup

Q. What versions are required for each component?

A. Using Ignite's agentless architecture there is no application that needs to be installed on the monitored servers. It is recommended that the Ignite Server is installed on a non-production server (development or test typically).  

Ignite Server:

  • Windows Server 2003, 2003, 2008 or Windows  XP, 2003, Vista, 7 (32 bit or 64 bit) Any Linux or UNIX (including Solaris, AIX, HP-UX) 
  • Java JRE 1.5 or higher required Ignite 

Repository Database:

The Ignite  Repository Database may reside within an Oracle or SQL Server database.   

  • Oracle 8.1.7 or higher (8i, 9i, 10g or 11g) 
  • Microsoft SQL Server 2000 SP3 or higher (2000, 2005, 2008, 2012) 

Monitored Database Servers:

  • Oracle 8.0.4 and  higher (including 8i, 9i, 10g, 11g) 
  • Microsoft SQL Server 2000 SP3 or higher (2000, 2005, 2008, 2012) 
  • Sybase ASE 12.5.0.3 and higher
  • DB2 UDB 8.1 Fixpack 13 and higher.

Q. What Java JRE versions are supported?

A. The Ignite Server requires prior installation of a Java Runtime Environment (JRE) or Java Development Kit (JDK). Java JRE Version 1.6.0.20 or higher is strongly recommended. The following versions are supported:

  • Sun JRE 1.5 or higher (1.6.0.20 or higher recommended)
  • IBM AIX JRE 1.5 or higher (1.6.0.20 or higher recommended)
  • Oracle Jrockit 1.5

Q. How do I get updates to Igniter Suite versions?

A. Confio supported customers have free access to all new features and enhancements for their products by downloading from support.confio.com.

For pre-sales trials, new software can be obtained at any time by registering and downloading the latest version from this www.confio.com website. Trial versions offer full functionality, but are limited to short term trials with limited license keys.

Q. How do I uninstall trial software?

A. Ignite on Windows can be simply removed with the uninstall procedure in the Ignite program group. Ignite on UNIX/Linux can be removed by deleting the Ignite home directory.

Running a Trial

Q. How long will the install take?

A. The installation download package contains everything needed to install and begin monitoring in 20 minutes, with first results showing at the 30 minute point. Ignite is the fastest and easiest to install of any comprehensive performance solution.

Q. What other software is required to run a trial?

A. The Ignite Server is self contained with all web server functions. All you need is a server that runs Java to host Ignite and a database (Oracle or SQL Server) which functions as the Repository Database. Ignite and the Repository Database can run on the same server if desired. No software is installed on the monitored servers.

Q. How do I get a License Key?

A. The license key for a trial is available from your Confio account representative, or request one fromlicense@confio.com. Trial keys are provided at no cost for valid proof of concept trials and are time limited. Permanent keys are issued once a license has been purchased from Confio.

Q. Which databases can be monitored?

A. The Igniter Suite supports monitoring of DB2, Oracle, SQL Server, and Sybase, all from the single Ignite Server. No agent is installed on any of the monitored databases. Each monitor type runs separately, but all results are viewed in a consistent and integrated interface.

Q. Do I need DBA privileges to install Ignite?

A. On the monitored database you will need DBA equivalent privileges to set up the schema, however the majority of the privileges can be revoked after setup. For a list of required privileges to maintain please contact your Account Manager or Confio Tech Support.

Q. How many databases can I monitor at one time?

A. The Ignite suite supports simultaneous monitoring of up to 200 or more databases from a single Ignite Server. See http://support.confio.com/kb/1529 for details.

Q. How big of a machine should my repository be on?

A. System requirements will vary from environment to environment, however the architecture behind Ignite helps alleviate production performance concerns. See http://support.confio.com/kb/1529 for details.

Q. Where are answers to more technical questions?

A. Try our technical Knowledge Base at http://support.confio.com/kb/kb_list.php

Q. How can I get technical help for my trial?

A. Send an email to support@confio.com and our technical team will be happy to assist you.

Products and Architecture

Q. What overhead load is put on my production server?

A. Less than 1% - Ignite uses an agentless polling architecture with no installed software on the production server. All of the processing takes place on the Ignite Server.

Q. What is the Ignite Server?

A. Ignite Server is the heart of the system, a Java based application that monitors multiple databases, analyzes the data and generates web based user output. Ignite Server runs on a Windows, Linux or UNIX server. Ignite Server can run on the same or a different server than the Repository Database.

Q. What is the Repository Database?

A. The PDW (also referred to as the data Repository) is the permanent storage for the performance intelligence data captured and analyzed by Ignite. This database does not need to be dedicated to Ignite. Ignite will create a schema in this Oracle or SQL Server database. Typically the PDW or Repository is created on a non-production server under direct control of the DBA.

Q. How is Ignite priced?

A. For Oracle, Sybase, and DB2, Ignite is priced per monitored server CPU, regardless of number of monitored databases. For SQL Server, price is based on the number of instances being monitored. An unlimited number of users are encouraged at no additional cost. Volume discounts may apply depending on environment.

Ignite Features

Q. What are the key differences of Ignite?

A. Unlike typical tools that focus on server health, Ignite is built on the twin foundations of performance intelligence and wait-time measurement. Ignite identifies and resolves the bottlenecks that cause business applications to wait on the database. By analyzing where the database is spending time and causing application users to wait, Ignite finds and resolves performance problems faster than any other solution.

Q. What is performance intelligence?

A. Performance intelligence is a database performance analysis technology that identifies the most important database performance problems and their root causes. Performance intelligence applies business intelligence techniques to IT performance management. By examining the data points along multiple dimensions, it identifies trends, reveals anomalies and correlates events to expose the true conditions impacting database end users.

Q. What is included in the Ignite Suite?

A. Igniter Suite is the product family that includes Ignite for SQL Server, Oracle, DB2 and Sybase. All Ignite product features are included in the Ignite download. Once you have installed, you have the ability to choose which database types are monitored. Each monitored database is separately licensed, allowing you to buy only the capabilities your site requires.

Q. What is Ignite for Oracle RAC?

A. This is a set of features included in Ignite for Oracle that addresses performance problems specific to Oracle RAC configurations. By identifying the sources of RAC specific overhead, Ignite for Oracle has also been proven to help DBAs configure the actual Oracle RAC environment for proper performance gain.

Q. What is Ignite for Oracle E-Business?

A. This is an optional extension to Ignite for Oracle that identifies the performance impact of Oracle E-Business Suite on the database. Ignite for E-Business exposes the screen and module generating wait time, allowing the DBA to better tune the database to address the needs of an Oracle E-Business application.

Technical Information (test)