9.6 What's New in Oracle Exadata Database Machine 12c Release 1 (12.1.2.1.0)

The following features are new for Oracle Exadata Database Machine 12c Release 1 (12.1.2.1.0):

• Oracle Exadata Database Machine Elastic Configurations
  
• Sparse Grid Disks
  
• Snapshot Databases for Test and Development
  
• Columnar Flash Caching
  
• Oracle Exadata System Software I/O Latency Capping for Write Operations
  
• Elimination of False Drive Failures
  
• Flash and Disk Life Cycle Management Alert
  
• Performance Optimization for SQL Queries with Minimum or Maximum Functions
  
• Oracle Exadata Storage Server Software Performance Statistics in AWR Reports
  
• Exafusion Direct-to-Wire Protocol
  
• Management Server on Database Servers
  
• SQL Operators for JSON and XML
  
• I/O Resource Management for Flash
  
• Flash Cache Space Resource Management
  
• I/O Resource Management Profiles
  
• Write Back Flash Cache on Extreme Flash Cells
  
• Secure Erase for 1.6 TB Flash Drives in Extreme Flash and High Capacity Systems
  
• Increased Exadata Cell Connection Limit
  
• Support for SNMP v3
  
• Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) 140-2 Compliant Smart Scan
  
• Oracle Exadata Virtual Machines