When deploying Oracle Exadata Database Machine, you can choose between the following database server deployment options:

• Virtual machine (VM) deployment: As shown in the diagram, each database server contains a hypervisor that can support multiple VM guests, each with its own Linux operating system, Exadata system software, and Oracle software. Contemporary Exadata Database Machine models with RoCE Network Fabric use Oracle Linux KVM. The maximum number of VMs supported on each database server depends on the combination of Exadata system hardware and software that is in use. Exadata X11M systems support up to 50 VMs on each database server.
• Bare-metal deployment: Each database server contains the Linux operating system, Exadata system software, Oracle Database, and Oracle Grid Infrastructure without virtualization.

Regardless of the chosen deployment option:

• External clients connect to the database servers through bonded network interfaces using the client network and any additional networks.
• The RDMA Network Fabric interconnects the database and storage servers using a pair of RDMA Network Fabric switches. On each server, one port is connected to each switch. The RDMA Network Fabric ports use active bonding.
• The default database server operating system user accounts include root and oracle. The grid user account is also created if you choose to configure role separation.

• Exadata Software Overview
• Default User Accounts for Oracle Exadata
• Exadata Database Server Hardware Components
• Managing Oracle Linux KVM Guests