[ale] Linux in libraries (a heads-up for June 2002)

[Ben Ostrowsky]

> > Well, there are about 47 million bibliographic records at OCLC (oclc.org),
> > along with a record of which libraries all over the world own a copy. :)
>So, what db are they using?

"OCLC uses many different systems and software packages from Tandem systems,
IBM minicomputers, and Sun servers, to smaller systems running Windows, AIX,
and Linux. In the main computer rooms there are large towers with robotic
arms that feed DAT media into readers, and also deceptively small and
innocuous looking servers which have replaced the larger equipment
originally installed here in the 1970's and 1980's. We have four backup
diesel generators and battery UPS units as well to protect critical
equipment. Additionally we use connectivity from many different providers
and internet backbones to provide redundancy and reliability.

I believe most of our databases are now in BER format, although as
previously mentioned there are many different systems employed. These
diverse systems are connected such to provide the effect of operating as a
single system. In reality very specialized systems are used, which is much
more efficient on such a large scale."

There's a neat article at http://www2.oclc.org/oclc/pdf/news244.pdf (pages 
22-26) about the geeky stuff they have.

Ben

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