DB2 is a very open database and provides a variety of options for connecting to DB2 and non-DB2 databases.
DB2 Universal Database ClientsThe DB2 product enables clients that are used by applications or workstations to communicate with DB2 servers. There are three types of DB2 clients.
The DB2 clients are supported on a variety of platforms, including Windows, AIX, HP-UX, Linux, and Solaris. DB2 ConnectDB2 Connect provides connectivity to IBM mainframe databases for e-business and other applications running under various UNIX and non-UNIX operating systems. DB2 Connect has several connection solutions. DB2 Connect Personal Edition provides direct connectivity to zSeries or iSeries databases; DB2 Connect Enterprise Edition provides indirect connectivity that allows clients to access host databases through the DB2 Connect server. DB2 Connect Unlimited Edition is an additional solution that makes product selection and licensing easier. DB2 Connect forwards SQL statements submitted by application programs to DB2 for z/OS, DB2 for VSE and VM, or DB2 for iSeries database servers. DB2 Connect can forward almost any valid SQL statement. DB2 Connect fully supports the common IBM SQL, as well as the DB2 Universal Database for z/OS, DB2 for VSE and VM, and DB2 for iSeries implementations of SQL. DB2 Connect implements the Distributed Relational Database Architecture (DRDA) to reduce the cost and complexity of accessing data stored in DB2 for iSeries, DB2 UDB for z/OS, DB2 for VSE and VM, and other DRDA-compliant database servers. By fully exploiting DRDA, DB2 Connect offers a well-performing, low-cost solution with the system-management characteristics that customers require. In the DB2 Connect environment, the DB2 Connect workstation can function only as an application requester on behalf of application programs. DB2 Connect allows clients to access data stored on data servers that implement the DRDA. The target database server for a DB2 Connect installation is known as a DRDA application server. The most commonly accessed DRDA application server is DB2 for z/OS. The database application must request the data from a DRDA application server through a DRDA application requester. DB2 Connect provides the DRDA application requestor functionality. The DRDA application server accessed using DB2 Connect could be any DB2 server on z/OS, VM and VSE, or iSeries. A distributed request is a distributed database function that allows applications and users to submit SQL statements that reference two or more DBMSs or databases in a single statement, such as a join between tables in two DB2 for z/OS subsystems. DB2 Connect provides support for distributed requests across databases and DBMSs. You can, for example, perform a UNION operation between a DB2 table and an Oracle view. Supported DBMSs include DB2 UDB for Linux, UNIX, and Windows; DB2 for z/OS and DB2 for iSeries; and Oracle. Distributed request provides location transparency for database objects. Distributed request also provides compensation for DBMSs that do not support all the DB2 SQL dialect or certain optimization capabilities. Operations that cannot be performed under such a DBMS such as recursive SQL are run under DB2 Connect. Multisite update, also known as distributed unit of work (DUOW) and two-phase commit, is a function that enables your applications to update data in multiple remote database servers and with guaranteed integrity. A distributed transaction can update any mix of supported database servers. For example, your application can update several tables in DB2 Universal Database on Windows, a DB2 for z/OS database, and a DB2 for iSeries database, all within a single transaction. DB2 products, including DB2 Connect, provide comprehensive support for multisite updates. This support is available for applications developed using regular SQL, as well as applications that use transaction monitor (TP monitor) products that implement the X/Open XA interface specification. DB2 Information IntegratorDB2 Information Integrator provides integrated, real-time access to structured and unstructured information as if it were a single database, regardless of where it resides. The federated server lets users create an abstract relational view across diverse data, use existing reporting and development tools, and use cost optimizations for SQL. The replication server lets users manage data movement strategies, including distribution and consolidation models, and monitor synchronization processes. Supported data sources include DB2 UDB, Informix, MS SQL Server, Oracle, Sybase, Teradata, ODBC, and others. Supported content sources include WebSphere MQ Message Queues, Lotus Notes, XML, Web Services, MS Excel Spreadsheets, and others. DB2 Information Integrator acts as middleware for access to heterogeneous data sources. With a single SQL statement, an application can transparently access, join, and update data located across multiple data sources. The access can be done without needing to know the location of the data or the specifics of the SQL dialects for the data source. DB2 Information Integrator for Content (EIP)DB2 Information Integrator for Content, formerly named Enterprise Information Portal, is an information-integration infrastructure that gives applications access to information sources from inside and outside the enterprise. From a Web browser or a portal, knowledge workers can concurrently access data and content from multiple sources, expanding the reach of their analysis and improving their productivity. DB2 Information Integrator for Content provides a federated search, direct connectors, and simultaneous access across the multiple repositories, workflow integration and Web crawling, and information mining. Users can personalize data queries and search extensively for very specific needs across traditional and multimedia data sources. Developers can more rapidly develop and deploy portal applications with the information-integration application development toolkit. |