DataDirect's ADO.NET Data Provider for DB2
DataDirect Connect for ADO.NET offers IBM DB2 database developers and application architects a feature-rich, reliable and secure data connectivity solution that is simple to implement and easy to manage—even when connecting between different database versions or vendors.
DataDirect's ADO.NET data provider supports both DB2 UDB 7.x and 8.x (Linux, Windows, Unix and z/OS) and DB2 UDB V5R1, 2, and 3 (for iSeries), and is the only 100% managed code data provider available. As a 100% managed code provider, the DB2 client libraries are not required, which eliminates the deployment cost associated with the client and allows all of the database processing to occur within the CLR (Common Language Runtime), greatly improving performance, reliability and application security.
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To learn more about DataDirect's ADO.NET data provider for DB2, review the materials below and follow the related links for deeper technical information. Also see the competitive advantage matrix, which compares DataDirect's 100% managed code providers with IBM's DB2 providers.
DataDirect Connect for ADO.NET / DB2 Topics:
- Why Choose DataDirect ADO.NET Data Providers for DB2?
- Features for DB2
- Further Technical Reading
- Performance and Scalability
- DB2 Database Versions Supported
- Windows Client Platforms Supported
Why Choose DataDirect ADO.NET Data Providers for DB2?
DataDirect Connect for ADO.NET is the only 100% managed code provider for DB2 that supports both the 32-bit and 64-bit .NET Framework for versions 2.0, 3.0, and 3.5. All other options, including the DB2 data provider, do not employ 100% managed code.
Because the DataDirect data provider is 100% managed code, your .NET assemblies run inside the .NET CLR (Common Language Runtime), allowing your application to take advantage of the numerous built-in runtime services that enhance performance.
By contrast, DB2 providers bridge into unmanaged code (code outside the .NET environment), adversely affecting performance and introducing unnecessary overhead forcing the CLR to make additional checks on calls to the unmanaged code.
Fully supports all DB2 database versions from a single provider
DataDirect's Connect for ADO.NET is the only DB2 data provider that supports all DB2 versions in a single provider assembly. This eliminates the need to test, deploy and maintain DB2 client software CAE which can escalate costs in environments using multiple DB2 versions. DataDirect's approach eliminates the need to test and certify each application deployed on a machine, each time the native client is updated.
Supports Microsoft .NET Framework versions 2.0, 3.0, and 3.5 / ADO.NET 2.0
The DataDirect DB2 data provider is certified for use with .NET Framework versions 2.0, 3.0, and 3.5 (32-bit and 64-bit) and conforms to the ADO.NET 2.0 specification. ADO.NET 2.0 provides support for a Common Programming Model that makes it easy to write interoperable code for various target databases.
Visual Studio 2008 Developer Tools
Only DataDirect offers visual development aids that integrate seamlessly into the Visual Studio 2008 environment. These tools provide a consistent level of functionality across the different database types and graphical dialogs that guide the developer in the connection process.
The DataDirect provider can be distributed along with the application via the .NET "ClickOnce" Deployment capability. (Formerly referred to as "No-Touch Deployment" in the .NET 1.x Framework.) DB2 providers require manual deployment to each server or workstation hosting the application.
Comprehensive Testing & Performance Benchmarking
DataDirect's .NET testing infrastructure [the ADO.NET Verification Suite (ADOVS)] is designed to ensure quality and reliability, verify conformance using the Microsoft LTM (Local Test Manager), and rigorously test against all supported DB2 database versions. This comprehensive testing ensures that you can develop the most robust DB2 .NET application possible within your environment.
Support for the Microsoft Enterprise Library Data Access Application Block (DAAB)
Simplifies application development by wrapping common data access tasks into portable code that supports multiple applications and databases. DAAB classes provide access to the most frequently used features in ADO.NET greatly improving developer productivity. DAAB support requires Release 3.1, SP1.
Enhanced support for Meta-data Schema Options
In order to handle meta-data queries that result in a large amount of information, DataDirect now provides tunable and fine-grained control of what meta-data is returned to the ADO.NET provider to the application. The developer can configure whether specific collections (e.g., Descriptions, Synonyms, etc.) are returned as the result of a DBCommand.GetSchema() method call. This capability requires Release 3.1, SP 1.
Improved Integration with Visual Studio 2005
DataDirect has updated its support for Visual Studio 2005, including integration of the DataDirect Performance Tuning Wizards, DBA tools including Table and View Wizards, as well as developer aids with standard Templates and Toolkits. This capability requires Release 3.1, SP 1.
See the competitive advantage matrix which compares the performance and reliability advantages of using a 100% managed code data provider like DataDirect Connect for ADO.NET with the DB2 provider.
Features for DB2
DataDirect Connect for ADO.NET offers the most extensive technical feature set of any data provider available for DB2 UDB 7.x, 8.x, and 9.x (Linux, Windows, Unix and z/OS) and DB2 UDB V5R1, 2, 3, and 4 (for iSeries). When considered against DB2 providers, the relevant differences demonstrate a compelling set of reasons for migrating to this 100% managed code, optimized for performance, ADO.NET data provider.
Database Specific Features
- DB2 iSeries V5r4 – now supporting the latest release of DB2 on the iSeries platform
- DB2 LUW V9.5 – now supporting the latest release of DB2 on Windows, UNIX, Windows
- DB2 z/OS V9.1 – now supporting the latest release of DB2 on z/OS
- DB2 V5r4 Features
- XA Transaction Support – DataDirect supports the ability to use distributed transactions in a DB2 V5r4 environment (this is the first release for which this support was possible since IBM introduced XA support into the DRDA protocol. Prior to that it was not possible for DataDirect to support it in the provider since we work directly at the protocol level).
- 2 MB SQL Statements – IBM has increased the maximum length of SQL statements, DataDirect support this capability in the latest release of CfADO.NET.
- 128 bit column names – IBM now supports 128 bit column names, DataDirect support this capability in the latest release of CfADO.NET.
- Raise Error – DataDirect now supports returning errors from stored procedures and SQL statements using the RAISE_ERROR function.
- Use Current Schema support – allows developers to restrict results from a meta-data collections query to a specific database schema.
For further technical reading on specific topics, review the following links:
DataDirect Connect for ADO.NET enables applications to access multiple databases with fewer lines of code and less maintenance, ensuring consistent functionality and performance, regardless of the database.
It includes interoperability features such as a common code base across all providers; standard escape syntax for stored procedures, outer joins, scalar functions, and date, time and timestamps. Additional functionality includes ANSI standard parameter markers, support for provider-neutral error objects, standardized error code mappings, common ways to specify arrays of parameters for use and SQL leveling.
By contrast, DB2's data provider is specific to the individual DB2 database and version, which means that interoperability is not provided across the DB2 product line, let alone support for other database versions such as Oracle, Sybase and SQL Server.
ClickOnce Deployment is a feature of the .NET Framework that lets you package Windows Forms applications so they can be distributed with a minimum of work. Like browser-based application deployment, ClickOnce Deployment lets clients download the assemblies they need from a remote Web server.
Only 100% managed code solutions like DataDirect Connect for ADO.NET, offers the ability to deploy the data providers along with the application code. DB2 providers require manual effort for the initial installation and ongoing maintenance of the data access components.
Connection pooling in ADO.NET is not provided by the core components of the .NET Framework. It must be implemented in the .NET data provider itself. All DataDirect .NET data providers provide the same connection pooling functionality.
By thoughtfully handling connection management before implementation of the ADO.NET provider, improved application performance and maintainability can be substantially improved.
Connection Failover and Client Load Balancing
It is important to ensure that the data on which your critical .NET application depends is always available. "Connection failover" and "connection retry" are two useful features that are available in the DataDirect Connect for ADO.NET data provider.
Connection failover allows an application to connect to an alternate (or backup) database server if the primary database server is unavailable.
Connection retry defines the number of times that the data provider attempts to connect to the primary (and, if configured, alternate or back up) database servers after the first unsuccessful connection attempt. Connection retry can be an important strategy for seamless system recovery.
If your .NET application needs to connect to more than one database, you need to use distributed transactions (application code that relies on multiple data sources). The DataDirect for ADO.NET data provider supports distributed transactions using the Microsoft Distributed Transaction Coordinator (MS DTC).
By contrast, DB2's provider does not support distributed transactions without DB2 Connect, which requires additional software to be loaded and carries an additional license fee.
Operating System (OS) Authentication (aka Single Sign-On/Kerberos)
OS authentication is a trusted third-party authentication service that verifies user identities. The latest release of DataDirect Connect for ADO.NET data providers support NTLM, which delivers a session security mechanism that provides for message confidentiality (encryption) and integrity (signing). Kerberos is a variety of NTLM.
This feature can be used to integrate the authentication of users for an application with the authentication mechanisms provided by the environment the application runs in. Organizations can create a Single Sign-On environment that bolsters security, eliminates the need for users to log in separately for each application, and reduces the costs associated with managing user accounts. DataDirect's OS authentication features allow the ADO.NET DB2 data provider to integrate seamlessly into that environment.
The following authentication features are supported:
- Delegated credentials – Provides the ability for the application to act on behalf of the user. For web-based applications, the application or web server can use the delegated credential that represents the user vs. the credential that represents the server administrator. This bolsters security because the application can base permissions on the actual end-user. In addition, the application audit trail can associate usage with the end-user vs. a generic system administrator ID.
- Re-authentication – DataDirect provides the ability to re-associate a pooled connection with a different authenticated user. Applications that use connection pooling can use this feature to more efficiently re-use connections while minimizing the number of connections required in the pool.
- Comprehensive KDC (Kerberos Key Distribution Center) support – Includes support for both Active Directory and MIT.
Support for Secure Socket Layer (SSL) Encryption
SSL is an industry-standard protocol for sending encrypted data over database connections. SSL secures the integrity of your DB2 data by encrypting information and providing client/server authentication. DataDirect Connect for ADO.NET DB2 data providers support SSL to protect data that is transmitted between the database and the application, data that could otherwise be compromised.
The database vendors have started to add support for a native XML data type that will allow you to store native XML data. A database table can now be created that contains one or more XML data type columns. XML data type columns are stored as large binary objects enabling the XML model to support document order and recursive structures. Unfortunately, the data type implementation approaches used by the database vendors vary, making it difficult to develop interoperable database access code. DataDirect provides support for XML data types in the DB2 ADO.NET providers. DataDirect is providing a consistent mechanism to interact and manage XML data across databases and across DataDirect products (ADO.NET, JDBC and ODBC).
Performance and Scalability
DataDirect's ADO.NET data providers are proven in production scenarios and benchmark tests to be significantly faster and more scaleable than DB2 providers. In some scenarios, the DataDirect solution has significantly decreased the number of servers required to support a multi-tier application. Benchmark results show that for queries that select a single row, the DataDirect driver performs up to 30% better as the number of threads are scaled in the test.
Performance Tuning Wizard
DataDirect .NET providers include a simple-to-use wizard that automatically generates the connection properties needed to configure your ADO.NET data provider for optimal performance.
The Performance Tuning Wizard covers all application characteristics that affect performance, including database type, select statement characteristics, stored procedures usage, transaction characteristics, scrollable result sets, etc.
Performance Tuning and Testing
Our experienced staff employs a wide variety of tests designed to exercise the data provider, not the database, so provider execution is isolated and measured. Tests performed include every area of functionality in which high performance is expected, including; inserts, updates, deletes, and selects. Other tests include very high volume and batch transactions, as well as data type conversion and parameter testing.
Scalability Testing
To test for scalability, we start with one thread and increase the thread count until either the client-side hardware or the server-side hardware reaches saturation. We are always striving to improve over our previous product release, and we look for factors such as good response time, efficient use of network traffic, disk I/O usage and efficient use of memory.
DB2 Database Versions Supported
A single DataDirect DB2 ADO.NET data provider fully supports all of the following DB2 database versions:
- DB2 UDB 7.x, 8.x and 9.x (Linux, Windows, Unix and z/OS)
- DB2 UDB v7.x, DB2 UDB v8.1 for z/OS via DRDA
- DB2 UDB V5R1, 2, 3, and 4 (for iSeries)
DataDirect is the only vendor that provides a single provider for all DB2 database versions. DB2 providers require multiple data providers and (given their architectural design) may also require multiple versions of the native database client libraries.
Windows Client Platforms Supported
DataDirect Connect for .NET, Release 2.2 (supports .NET 1.x Framework): Windows 98/ME/NT/2000/XP/2003 for Intel
DataDirect Connect for ADO.NET, Release 3.1 (supports .NET 2.0 / 3.0 Framework and 64-bit on AMD Operation and Intel): Windows 2000/XP/2003/Vista
