IBM DB2 .NET PROVIDER

Exposes the Full Range of DB2 for iSeries Features to ADO.NET Entity Framework (EF 4.2 and 1.0) Applications

By leveraging a100% managed code architecture, there is absolutely no need to deploy the DB2 client libraries with Entity Framework (EF 4.2 and 1.0) applications. In addition, this architecture delivers the best possible runtime performance to all Entity Framework applications.

Improves the Performance and Scalability of .NET DB2 Applications

• Outperforms other providers in throughput capacity and memory / CPU utilization
• 100% managed, making no calls outside the .NET runtime environment. Completely eliminating reliance on non-managed components dramatically improves application performance and scalability.
• High-performance Bulk Load capability enables loading large amounts of data into DB2 very quickly, without requiring application code changes or additional bulk load tools.

Provides Comprehensive Database / Platform Coverage from One Vendor

Enables Faster, More Flexible Deployment

Makes It Easy and Cost Effective to Support Multiple Databases and Database Versions

Ensures Secure, End-to-End Application Data Access

DataDirect providers include advanced, industry-standard security mechanisms:

• SSL data encryption to secure the integrity of your data and provide client/server authentication
• Operating system authentication via Kerberos, allowing you to include database access in a Single Sign-On environment

Guarantees Reliability for Demanding Production Environments

Offers 100% Specification Compliance and Robust Functionality

DataDirect providers are certified for use with .NET Framework versions 2.0, 3.0, 3.5, and 4.x (32-bit and 64-bit), are fully compliant with ADO.NET 3.5, and offer advanced functionality such as:

• Connection failover and client load balancing
• Numerous connection tuning options
• Distributed transactions
• ClickOnce deployment (formerly "No Touch")
• Support for Microsoft Enterprise Library Data Access Application Block (DAAB) and Logging Application Block (LAB)
• Visual development aids that integrate seamlessly with Visual Studio 2005, 2008, 2010 and 2012
• Support for Lightswitch 2012
• Built-in debugging tools and tracing capabilities

Reduces Total Cost of Ownership through Superior Technical Support

100% managed code
Only DataDirect providers are 100% managed, making no call outside the .NET runtime environment.

This improves application performance, scalability, stability, and security by eliminating the application’s reliance on components that reside outside the managed environment.

IBM’s provider is not 100% managed because it either bridges into the DB2 Call Level Interface (CLI), or uses DB2 Connect client libraries, which means it makes calls to unmanaged code.

If you’re deploying many .NET applications, or if your applications need to handle large amounts of data, these numerous calls outside the CLR can seriously degrade performance and become a scalability nightmare.

No database client libraries required
Cost to develop, test, and deploy are significantly reduced because the database client isn’t needed. It also eliminates application issues related to client version conflicts.

IBM providers require native database clients be installed.

Best ADO.NET provider performance and scalability
DataDirect providers outperform other providers in throughput capacity and memory and CPU utilization.

DataDirect providers expose the full range of DB2 for iSeries features to ADO.NET Entity Framework (EF 4.2 and 1.0) applications. By leveraging a 100% managed code architecture, there is absolutely no need to deploy the DB2 client libraries with Entity Framework (EF 4.2 and 1.0) applications. In addition, this architecture delivers the best possible runtime performance to all Entity Framework (EF 4.2 and 1.0) applications.

DataDirect providers are optimized for best possible performance in the most common application scenarios, especially those handling large amounts of data.

The provider is tunable for an infinite variety of application usage scenarios so your application will always run faster and support more users with the same hardware resources.

Requires either calls into the DB2 CLI or DB2 Connect client libraries, causing it to bridge into unmanaged code. Client libraries are not optimized for ADO.NET and create communication overhead on the network that degrades performance and impacts scalability.

Faster, more flexible application deployment
Because it does not require database client libraries, the DataDirect provider supports “side-by-side” installation, allowing you to run multiple applications using different versions of the database on the same machine. This eliminates the need to re-qualify unrelated applications if an application is updated.

Requires different client libraries on each machine where the data provider is deployed. If multiple applications are running on the same machine, they will all be forced to use the same underlying client libraries. This can be painful if there are several applications that need to be certified for a particular version of the client libraries.

Robust security features
100% managed code ensures no reliance on components outside the .NET managed environment and allows your application to take full advantage of the security controls in .NET.

DataDirect providers include advanced security features such as SSL (Secure Socket Layer) data encryption and operating system authentication (aka Single Sign-On) via Kerberos.

Calls to unmanaged code in the DB2 client libraries bypasses the .NET CLR security. This opens a door to potential compromise via code that uses pointers or has direct access to memory or machine registers. Once that unmanaged code is executing, the CLR can no longer check it.

One provider supports multiple DB2 versions
Supports all DB2 versions with a single version of the provider (DB2 UDB 7.x, 8.x, and 9.x for Linux, Windows, Unix and z/OS; and DB2 UDB V5R1, 2, 3, and 4 for iSeries).

This significantly reduces the costs of deploying and testing applications against multiple versions of DB2, DB2 client libraries, and different DB2 platforms.

IBM requires different providers for different versions of DB2, and for different versions of the operating system.

DataDirect Bulk Load
Includes a high-performance bulk load capability for loading large amounts of data very quickly. This can boost application performance for parameter array insert operations without requiring code changes or additional bulk load tools.

Requires a proprietary tool from IBM or your own homegrown tool.

Complete interoperability between databases
SQL up-leveling and other interoperability features make it easy and cost effective for an application to support multiple databases (DB2, Oracle, SQL Server, and Sybase).

This interoperability reduces the total cost of development, testing, and deployment for heterogeneous environments.

Interoperability is not provided because the IBM provider is designed to work only with DB2.

Organizations that need to access more than DB2 will be forced to use providers from different vendors, requiring a learning curve for each one.

Reliability for demanding production environments
DataDirect providers are quality tested and certified using the DataDirect ADO.NET Verification Suite (ADOVS).

This comprehensive testing ensures that you can develop the most robust DB2 .NET application.

IBM’s testing infrastructure for data access components is unknown.

Comprehensive Technical Support Focused on database connectivity, our award-winning support includes 24x7 phone, web, email, forum, and an extensive knowledgebase.

Fast, high-quality technical assistance from data connectivity experts is essential for critical systems.

Because IBM is not focused on data connectivity, troubleshooting can be more difficult and may take longer.