DB2 Connect User's Guide

DB2 Connect Overview

Many organizations now use personal computers and UNIX workstations extensively, while at the same time still keeping much of their most important data on mainframes or minicomputers. Providing access to enterprise data for applications running on PC and UNIX applications is a significant challenge.

IBM DB2 Connect products provide an elegant solution to this situation. They enable database application programs running on DOS, Macintosh, OS/2, UNIX and Windows workstations to access data stored in relational databases on MVS, OS/400, OS/390, VSE and VM hosts. Data stored in certain non-relational databases such as IMS can also be accessed when DB2 Connect is used in conjunction with data replication products such as IBM Data Propagator Non-Relational.

You can also use the DB2 Universal Database client which is included in DB2 Connect to access databases stored on OS/2, Windows, and UNIX systems.

DB2 Connect provides applications with transparent online access to data by implementing a standard architecture for managing distributed data, Distributed Relational Database Architecture (DRDA). For example, you can use DB2 Connect with:

Spreadsheets, such as Lotus 1-2-3** and Microsoft Excel**, to analyze real-time data without the cost and complexity of data extract and import procedures

Decision support tools such as Intersolv Q+E Database Editor, and Crystal Reports, to provide real-time information

Database products such as MS Access** and Lotus Approach**

Development tools such as IBM VisualAge, PowerBuilder, Microsoft VisualBasic**, WATCOM VX-REXX, and VisPro/REXX, to create client/server solutions.

Internet servers such as Lotus Domino, Netscape Enterprise Server, and Microsoft Internet Information Server.

Java tools such as IBM Visual Age for Java, and Symantec Visual Cafe Pro.

IBM Net.Data.

The workstation on which DB2 Connect is installed is called the DB2 Connect server. DRDA application servers can be accessed by local clients on the DB2 Connect workstation, and by remote clients. For remote clients, A DB2 Connect server acts as an intermediary between the client workstation and the host or AS/400 database management system.

Figure 1 illustrates how DB2 Connect connects to other systems.

Figure 1. DB2 Connect Connections (OS/2 Example)

Notes:

1. This figure illustrates DB2 Connect Enterprise Edition running on an OS/2 system. DB2 Connect Enterprise Edition is implemented similarly on all supported platforms.

2. This figure includes remote clients. If you do not want remote clients, you do not need to install remote client support. In OS/2 and Windows environments, IBM also offers DB2 Connect Personal Edition, which supports a single user at a time, and does not provide gateway support for downstream remote clients.

3. This figure illustrates remote connections using TCP/IP, APPC, IPX/SPX, or NetBIOS. Depending on the operating system of the DB2 Connect workstation and the operating system of the remote client, different communications protocols may be available. For detailed information about communications protocol support, see DB2 Connect Personal Edition Quick Beginnings, or DB2 Connect Enterprise Edition for OS/2 and Windows NT Quick Beginnings.

4. You do not need to have DB2 Universal Database installed on the DB2 Connect workstation. If you want a complete relational database management system on the DB2 Connect workstation, order DB2 Universal Database.

5. DB2 Connect does not provide application development tools; however, IBM does provide DB2 software developer kits (SDKs) for DOS, Macintosh, OS/2, UNIX and Windows platforms. You can use these kits to develop applications that work with DB2 Connect. SDKs provide programming tools, utilities, documentation, and code samples. See Application Building Guide

6. C programmers developing Windows applications that use the Microsoft** ODBC interface should use the Microsoft Open Database Connectivity Software Development Kit.  Programmers who want to develop applications using the COBOL programming language can use Micro Focus** COBOL and other development tools offered by Micro Focus, Inc., and IBM. In addition, there are a variety of 4GL development environments, application generators, CASE and other tools available from a number of vendors that can be used to develop applications that use DB2 Connect.

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