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Conference ulysse::rdb_vms_competition

Title:DEC Rdb against the World
Moderator:HERON::GODFRIND
Created:Fri Jun 12 1987
Last Modified:Thu Feb 23 1995
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1348
Total number of notes:5438

1096.0. "easier DB2 connect???" by BER::MOENCH (Andreas Moench @BEO, Berlin) Tue Feb 25 1992 14:32

      Hello world -

      having read through this conference about IBM-DB2 connections,
      IBM connections in general etc., I could not find an answer to a 
      question I've been asked by a customer a week ago:

      Does anybody out there know of plans, programms or products to come, 
      which will make database interoperability between IBMs DB2 and DBses
      of other vendors easier? No, I'm not talking about our Information-
      Network or Rdb*. The customer said he had heard of IBM 
      developing a product (programm, anouncement, claim...?) giving an 
      "easy interface" from DB2 to other DBs (read-write).

      Well, any ideas? 
      Anything realy in the pipe at IBMs ? 
      Anything we could use in dicussion with customers?
      Anything that could be used in our DB2-connect product (VIDA), making 
      it read-write, easier installable and cheaper at IBM-side?

      Or is IBM just talking future visions (as usual...)?


      Thanks for any ideas,

      Andreas
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
1096.1DRDA ?UTRTSC::SOBCZAKTP/IM Support, Utrecht - HollandTue Feb 25 1992 19:33532
    The customer is probably thinking about DRDA. Below is a note
    transplanted from SQL_ACCESS conference that talks about DRDA
    announcement and compares is it with SQL/Access.
    
    I hope this helps.
    
    Piotr
    
             <<< BROKE::STAR01:[NOTES$LIBRARY]SQL_ACCESS.NOTE;1 >>>
                                -< SQL Access >-
================================================================================
Note 17.0                             DRDA                             6 replies
BROKE::BALBONI                                       62 lines  27-SEP-1991 11:05
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------




 -----       IBM announced enhancements to IBM's     
|C I S|      Distributed Relational Data   
 -----  
             Source : Micro Tech Research Inc.              Date : 16-SEP-91



     + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + 
     |  Please be advised that the information contained within this | 
     +  report is copyrighted material.  The following policies must + 
     |  be adhered to:                                               | 
     +                                                               + 
     |     -  No reformatting of the data segments                   | 
     +     -  No external distribution                               + 
     |     -  Internal use only in accordance with vendor agreements | 
     + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + 


Chelmsford, Ma., Sept 16/Micro Tech Research Inc./
IBM announced enhancements to IBM's Distributed Relational Data
Base Architecture* (DRDA*).  It allows OS/2, DOS and Windows 3.0
users on a local area network to query and update databases on
MVS and VS hosts.  DRDA allows customers to share their data
resources safely and effectively throughout their enterprise.
(Press Release,9/11/91)





























                                                  

                                      ( 1 )

================================================================================
Note 17.1                             DRDA                                1 of 6
BROKE::BALBONI                                       60 lines  27-SEP-1991 11:06
                               -< DRDA Vendors >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 -----       Vendors announce support for DRDA       
|C I S|                                    
 -----  
             Source : Business Wire              Date : 11-SEP-91



     + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + 
     |  Please be advised that the information contained within this | 
     +  report is copyrighted material.  The following policies must + 
     |  be adhered to:                                               | 
     +                                                               + 
     |     -  No reformatting of the data segments                   | 
     +     -  No external distribution                               + 
     |     -  Internal use only in accordance with vendor agreements | 
     + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + 


WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nine leading software 
vendors Wednesday announced their support of IBM's Distributed 
Relational Database Architecture(a) (DRDA)(a), enhancing a customer's
ability to access a variety of databases across their computing 
enterprise. 

The vendors who announced their support are Borland 
International, Inc.; Computer Associates International, Inc.; Gupta 
Technologies; Informix Software, Inc.; Locus Computing Corp.; Micro 
DecisionWare, Inc.; Novell, Oracle Corp.  and Sybase, Inc. 

Each vendor said it intends to enable their products to support 
DRDA, IBM's published architecture for providing remote access to 
relational data with the security, integrity and other 
characteristics required for operational database management systems.

``With the participation of leading database vendors, we are 
taking a major step toward interoperability in the multi-vendor 
enterprise,'' said Earl F.  Wheeler, IBM senior vice president and 
general manager, Programming Systems. 

In other announcements today, IBM provided availability dates for
products implementing DRDA across IBM's Systems Application 
Architecture(a) (SAA(a)) platforms, and introduced the initial 
structure and products for the Information Warehouse* framework, a 
data management strategy building on SAA databases to provide access 
to data on IBM and non-IBM systems. 
-0-
(a)  Indicates trademark or registered trademark of IBM 
Corp.






                                                  

                                      ( 1 )

    
================================================================================
Note 17.2                             DRDA                                2 of 6
BROKE::BALBONI                                      120 lines  27-SEP-1991 11:06
                                 -< Informix >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 -----       Informix's SQL-based products to        
|C I S|      support IBM's and             
 -----  
             Source : Business Wire              Date : 11-SEP-91



     + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + 
     |  Please be advised that the information contained within this | 
     +  report is copyrighted material.  The following policies must + 
     |  be adhered to:                                               | 
     +                                                               + 
     |     -  No reformatting of the data segments                   | 
     +     -  No external distribution                               + 
     |     -  Internal use only in accordance with vendor agreements | 
     + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + 


MENLO PARK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Informix Software announced 
its intent to provide the ability for Informix SQL-based products to 
access DB2 databases through IBM's Distributed Relational Database 
Architecture (DRDA).

By providing such capability, applications using development tools 
from Informix can transparently access and modify information from DB2 
databases as easily as Informix database information can be accessed 
today. 

SQL-based products from Informix include INFORMIX-OnLine, a 
mainframe-caliber on-line transaction processing (OLTP) oriented 
database engine and INFORMIX-SE, a database engine for environments 
without a database administrator. 

Informix also offers a complete array of application development 
tools, including the INFORMIX-4GL Family, a complete 
fourth-generation language application development environment, 
INFORMIX-SQL, a leading database application development software 
system and the INFORMIX-ESQL family, which are products for 
developers building SQL-based applications using a third-generation 
language.

DRDA is IBM's published architecture that provides connectivity 
among Relational Database Management Systems that run on either like or 
unlike environments.  DRDA supports Structured Query Language (SQL) as 
the standardized interface that applications use to access distributed 
relational data and provides remote access to that data with security, 
integrity and features required by sophisticated production database 
applications.

``Today's announcement by IBM represents a major stem forward in 
making interoperability among disparate systems a reality.  We are most 
pleased to support this effort,'' said Phil White, president, Informix 
Software. 

                                                  

                                      ( 1 )



 -----       Informix's SQL-based products to               | 11-SEP-91
|C I S|      support IBM's and                              | Business Wire
 -----       


``Access to distributed relational databases is a growing 
need for businesses worldwide.  We are committed to bringing the 
technology necessary to make such access available to the customer in 
an easier and more secure manner.  Enabling our database engines to 
support IBM's DRDA helps in meeting that objective.''

Informix Software Inc. is a leading supplier of information 
management software providing solutions from the database through the 
desktop.  Informix products include powerful distributed database 
management systems, robust applications development tools, and 
graphical- and character-based productivity software for delivering 
information to every significant desktop platform.  With corporate 
headquarters in Menlo Park, Informix has European headquarters in 
London, and Asia/Pacific headquarters in Singapore.
-0-

Note to Editors:  INFORMIX is a registered trademark of Informix 
Software Inc.   DB2, DRDA and Distributed Relational Database 
Architecture are trademarks of IBM Corp.  IBM is a registered trademark 
of IBM Corp.





























                                                  

                                      ( 2 )

    
================================================================================
Note 17.3                             DRDA                                3 of 6
BROKE::BALBONI                                      120 lines  27-SEP-1991 11:07
                                  -< ORacle >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 -----       Oracle plans to support IBM's           
|C I S|      Distributed 	    and          
 -----  
             Source : Business Wire              Date : 12-SEP-91



     + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + 
     |  Please be advised that the information contained within this | 
     +  report is copyrighted material.  The following policies must + 
     |  be adhered to:                                               | 
     +                                                               + 
     |     -  No reformatting of the data segments                   | 
     +     -  No external distribution                               + 
     |     -  Internal use only in accordance with vendor agreements | 
     + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + 


REDWOOD SHORES, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oracle Corporation today 
announced its intent to enable its products to support IBM's Distributed 
Relational Database Architecture (DRDA).  Oracle products, which 
currently access data residing in IBM's Relational Database Management 
Systems, will be extended to use IBM's preferred architecture as its 
primary interface to IBM's RDBMS products.

``We view this as a significant step in the relationship between 
Oracle and IBM,'' said John Steensen, vice president of Oracle's IBM 
Products Division.  ``This action is a direct response to input from 
our customers who have chosen both Oracle and IBM as their strategic 
providers of systems and software.  Oracle plans to work with IBM to 
extend, enhance and evolve DRDA to better serve our common customers.''

DRDA


DRDA is IBM's published architecture that provides connectivity 
among IBM's RDBMSs that run in either like or unlike environments. 
DRDA supports Structured Query Language (SQL) as the standardized 
interface that applications use to access distributed relational 
data and provides remote access to that data with security, integrity, 
and features required by sophisticated production database 
applications.

Working with IBM, Oracle continues it's commitment to multivendor 
interoperability.  This announcement will further enhance the ability 
for common customers of both Oracle and IBM to incorporate data from 
both Oracle and IBM databases into their business solutions.

About Oracle


Oracle Corporation, headquartered in Redwood Shores, Calif., is one 
of the largest suppliers of DBMS software and is the third largest 

                                                  

                                      ( 1 )



 -----       Oracle plans to support IBM's                  | 12-SEP-91
|C I S|      Distributed 	    and                           | Business Wire
 -----       

software and services company in the world.

Oracle develops and markets an integrated line of software products 
for database management, computer-aided systems engineering (CASE), 
applications development, decision support and office automation, as 
well as families of financial and human resource applications.  Oracle 
products are available on PCs, minicomputers and mainframes, and Oracle
is the first and only open relational database to run on massively 
parallel supercomputers.

The company offers its products, along with related consulting, 
education and support services, in 92 countries around the world. 
Oracle is a publicly held corporation whose shares are traded on 
NASDAQ/NMS with ticker symbol ORCL.

For further information about Oracle, call Oracle world 
headquarters at (415) 506-7000, or write to Oracle Corporation at 500 
Oracle Parkway, Redwood Shores, CA 94065.

-0-
ORACLE is a registered trademark of Oracle Corporation.
IBM is a registered trademark of IBM Corporation.
DRDA and Distributed Relational Database Architecture are trademarks of 
IBM Corporation.


























                                                  

                                      ( 2 )

    
================================================================================
Note 17.4                             DRDA                                4 of 6
BROKE::MCGUIRE                                       64 lines  27-SEP-1991 11:12
                          -< SQL Access - DRDA Q&A. >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SQL Access Positioning Relative to DRDA (Q & A)

1.  What is the SQL Access Group?

A non-profit corporation, open to vendors and users, that is developing a
technical specification to enable multiple SQL-based RDBMSs and application
tools to work together.

2.  What is the goal of the SQL Access Group?

To help meet growing customer requirements for portability of SQL applications
and interoperability between clients and servers from different vendors.  Our
strategy is to accelerate and complement work already underway in the standards
bodies.

3.  What is the relationship between The SQL Access Group and ANSI/ISO RDA?

The SQL Access Group's Formats and Protocols (FAP) are based on ISO RDA.  ISO
RDA has taken input of the SQL Access Group, and adopted many aspects of the
SQL Access FAP.  Most SQL Access members are also active participants in RDA.

4.  What customer needs are addressed by the SQL Access Group technology?

Many customers have a variety of SQL-based databases in-house that are running
on diverse hardware and software platforms.  Customers need to be able to
access the data stored within those databases from a range of database tools
and application platforms.  They also need to be able to easily move SQL
appications from one database application platform to another.

The SQL Access Group technology provides SQL-based interoperability between
diverse database clients and servers on a range of hardware and software
platforms.  It also provides application portability that allows SQL
applications to be successfully moved from one database platform to another. 
These solutions are based on ISO RDA, ISO/ANSI SQL-89 and X/Open SQL.

5.  What customer needs does DRDA address?

DRDA primarily addresses the needs of customers that need to exchange data to
and among IBM's SQL-based databases over an IBM SNA network.

7.  Recently, a number of companies announced an intention to provide some
level of DRDA support in the future.  Some of those companies are also members
of The SQL Access Group.  How does this affect The SQL Access Group?

There is no effect on The SQL Access Group.  SQL Access and DRDA are used to
achieve different goals.  Database and tools suppliers may use DRDA to exchange
data with IBM databases.  SQL Access is used to achieve interoperability and
portability involving clients and servers from many different companies.  A
company may choose to implement both SQL Access and DRDA, or even a gateway
between the two, in order to solve different customer needs.

8.  Does IBM's DRDA announcement negate or diminish SQL Access' July
multi-vendor interoperability announcement and demonstration?

Not at all.  The SQL Access demonstration in July of this year involved public
demonstration of the technology that the group has published in its
specifications.  It also showed the commitment of the participants to invest
and work together to achieve a viable multi-vendor solution.   The IBM DRDA
announcement provided availability dates and statements of intention for DRDA
support in releases of IBM database products.  Both events are important, 
depending on a customer's needs.

[end of Q & A]
    
================================================================================
Note 17.5                             DRDA                                5 of 6
BROKE::THOMAS "Anne Thomas DTN 264-6094"             35 lines  27-SEP-1991 16:59
                               -< What is DRDA? >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    DRDA has not yet been implemented in IBM database systems.  IBM has 
    defined distributed database functionality in four steps:
    
    Remote Request:  Allows an application on one node to send a request to 
    another node for processing.  DB2 implemented a non-transparent version 
    of remote request in V2.2 which was released approximately 18 months
    ago.  V2.2 allowed multiple nodes to read the same data, but only one
    node was allowed to perform updates on a given table.  Remote request
    required complicated LU6.2 programming and it was only available to 
    TSO and batch applications.  All remote requests were restricted to 
    dynamic SQL.  Remote Request was made available in SQL/DS in V3.2 
    about 6 months (?) ago.  Therefore a SQL/DS or DB2 application can
    access the other database.  It's IBM's first success (?) in 
    heterogeneous data access.
    
    Remote Unit of Work:  Allows an application to execute an entire
    transaction on a remote node.  It supprts static SQL.  The
    application's plan is actually stored in the target system's directory
    and it is executed on the target system.  Complex programming and 
    compilation techniques are still required to implement RUOW.  (Rdb 
    has supported this functionality since V1.0, and no special programming
    is required.)  IBM has just announced the availability of RUOW 
    capabilities in their SAA database systems:
    	DB2 V2.3 -- Full RUOW DRDA support in 3/92
    	SQL/DS V3.3 -- Full RUOW DRDA support in 5/92
    	AS/400 DM -- Full RUOW DRDA support in 3/92
    	OS/2 DM -- They will announce availability in 3/92
    
    Distributed Unit Of Work:  Allows a single transaction to access 
    multiple systems.  DUOW requires 2PC.  IBM has not announced when their
    database systems might expect to support DUOW.  (Rdb V4.0 supports this 
    functionality.)
    
    Distributed Request:  Allows a single SQL statement to access multiple
    systems.  (RdbStar will support this functionality.)
================================================================================
Note 17.6                             DRDA                                6 of 6
DFACTO::NEWMAN "I'd rather be in meetings."          27 lines  28-SEP-1991 00:20
                   -< SQL Access vs. DRDA Comparison Paper >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
       IBM's Distributed Relational Database Architecture (DRDA) is
       often compared, especially by the media and consultants, to the
       work of The SQL Access Group and the standards that it embraces. 
       They are often though of as being roughly equivalent in function
       and purpose.  This is not the case.

       In order to clearly explain the differences between SQL Access
       and DRDA, Jim Gray and I have written a paper.  The paper,
       entitled "SQL Access and IBM DRDA:  A Comparison in a
       Multi-Vendor Setting", is intended to evaluate and compare the
       two approaches and their applicability to heterogeneous
       interoperability.

       The paper has been submitted for external publication and is now
       available for general distribution.  It can be copied from:

            broke""::sqla_vs_drda.ps

       Please feel free to distribute the paper both inside and outside
       of Digital.  If you have any comments, please address them to me
       on BROKE.

       Sincerely,

       Scott Newman
       Database Interoperability Project Leader
1096.2thanksBER::MOENCHAndreas Moench @BEO, BerlinWed Feb 26 1992 18:046
      Thank's Poitr!

      That looks like the info I was searching for.

      Andreas
1096.3No help getting from IBM to other systemsBROKE::THOMASAnne Thomas DTN 264-6094Thu Apr 09 1992 00:0324
    Please note:  
    
    IBM has published the DRDA spec, and nine very important third parties
    have announced that they will support DRDA.  DRDA (in it's very 
    distant final form) will allow fully distributed heterogeneous 
    database access among DBMSes which conform to DRDA.  But if you
    look closely to the announcements, you'll realise that what's 
    coming now is very limited.
    
    In Informix's announcement they said that they will provide read/write 
    access to DB2 using DRDA.  DB2 is only one of 4 DBMSes supplied by
    IBM which do/will support DRDA. You'll note that Informix has not 
    announced plans to support DRDA access to SQL/DS/VM, AS/400 DM, or 
    the OS/2 DM.  (Remember, DRDA doesn't provide transparent access --
    you need to write your DRDA applications for the specific database
    you intend to access.  Informix has chosen only to support DB2.) 
    
    In Oracle's announcement they said that they will be enhancing their
    existing products (SQL*Connect) to utilize DRDA.
    
    In neither case did they announce any plans to support a DRDA request
    to their own systems from an IBM SAA environment.  So all this work 
    in DRDA isn't expected to make it any easier for IBM users to get to 
    non-IBM data.