IBM`s database offering, DB2 Universal Database version 7.1, has been released. While most other databases focus on the delivery of dynamic Internet content, DB2 has taken a different tack, and delivers online analytical processing (OLAP) and data warehousing capabilities as its key features.
It also includes some new functionality for Internet-specific needs to complement its e-business product suites.
The product comes in a multiple variance of footprints for different markets. The Enterprise and Enterprise-Extended versions are the two main servers, capable of running on OS/2, NT, 2000, AIX, HP-UX, Solaris, Linux, and also NUMA-Q, IBM`s new platform it is punting after the acquisition of Sequent last year. Enterprise-Extended follows a different licensing model, allowing scalability over multiple machines.
Smaller versions are available in the Personal, Workgroup, Satellite and Everyplace flavours. Everyplace is specifically designed to run on Palm OS, CE, EPOC-32 (a cellular operating system) and Neutrino. Satellite is designed for mobile workers, which connects them to a central control server and automates replication within the distributed system. Satellite is restricted to Microsoft operating systems. Personal has a slightly broader platform choice, with OS/2, 95, 98, 2000 and Linux.
All of the versions stem from the same code base and IBM says there will be no interoperability issues.
The database is targeted at e-commerce, business intelligence, content management, information integration and industry applications, such as enterprise resource planning and customer relationship management back-ends. IBM is particularly excited about the latter, and says SAP and Siebel endorsements are driving much of the user base growth.
Two new features will be of interest to e-businesses. Net.Data offers XML storage with a variety of methods. XML can be stored as a traditional binary large object, as a file outside the database linked through a table, or broken up via the XML-defined tags into a table itself.
Net.Search technology allows for fast searching capabilities through text fields. These fields are stored in memory, reducing IO, and resulting in resource-inexpensive text searches. As IBM feels that not all users need this feature, it will include it at an extra charge.
IBM also offers Web-enabled OLAP functionality. Some intranets may use this feature to allow its employees to analyse live data, but it does not make sense to run such functionality out to the Web.
For those looking at creating data warehouses, IBM`s Data Warehouse Center is packaged free with DB2. This will allow the definition and management of data within a warehouse or mart.
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