>>>cluster ware) when you want to run your database in a >>>cluster environment. It does not make any sense to me :). >>>Also when the focus (!) is on reducing the TCO, eliminating >>>another layer of $$ certainly reduces the co$t. ...I'll chime in. Maybe people are not satisfied with having a cluster where the only cluster-aware software is the database. There is more to an Oracle deployment than rows and columns. The no finger pointing bit is a ruse. Some additional thoughts on the matter here: http://kevinclosson.wordpress.com/2006/10/26/now-is-the-time-to-open-sou rce/ And: Read the suse-oracle list for real facts on the dreamland no-finger-pointing support paradigm. There is a real sweet one going on over there right now. Completely unbreakable, 6 weeks of kernel bug trouble related to AIO and neither Oracle not Novell are doing anything about it (the words of the customer, not mine) -- //www.freelists.org/webpage/oracle-l