Design decisions for the intelligent database machine

Abstract

The Intelligent Database Machine (IDM), manufactured by Britton-Lee Inc., is a back-end processor and storage system that contains a complete data management system. It includes specialized hardware to perform data management functions. It is our contention that the designers of a database machine must choose a focus for their machine which strongly influences other design decisions. The IDM is low cost, high performance machine designed to support midrange users. This paper presents the reasons for this choice, and the resultant design issues.