Database Reference
In-Depth Information
17.2.1 DB2 Universal Database Core
The DB2 Universal Database Core (also called the DB2 Common Code) contains the
core database services. Superimposed on top of this is a layer of code that is specific to
the operating system (OS) platform that the DBS suite runs on. This approach gives the
product the platform independence that it enjoys. When you purchase DB2, you must
specify and choose the OS platform that will be used for your implementation, as well as
the desired edition. Depending on the edition chosen, you will have other features and
components bundled together in a seamless whole (for more information on this, see the
production documentation via [IBM, 2009a]).
Irrespective of the edition and OS platform, all DB2 applications are accessible with
each other, and from IBM software development tools such as Rational and WebSphere.
Additionally, through ODBC, other non-DB2 databases can be reached.
17.2.2 IBM InfoSphere Information Server
The InfoSphere Information Server (previously called the Information Integrator in earlier
versions) is a collection of technologies that combines database management systems,
Web services, replication, federated systems, and data warehousing functions into a
common platform. It also includes a variety of programming interfaces and data models.
It is used for data integration from heterogeneous data sources (hence the name). Using
the Information Integration technology, you can access diverse types of data (structured,
unstructured, and semi-structured). The source data may reside on different back-end
systems (example Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, Informix, etc.). You can transform that
data into a format that provides easy access to information across the enterprise, while
giving the end user the illusion that all the data resides on their machine.
Information integration enables the integration of data from multiple sources with
the following functions:
•
Provision of real-time read and write access
•
Transformation of data for business analysis and data interchange
•
Management of data placement for performance, currency, and
availability
The DB2 information integration strategy includes the following goals for users:
•
To provide users with the ability to continue to more easily
manipulate legacy data
•
To provide users with the ability to take advantage of familiar
software to use known assets and resources
•
To provide users with the ability to acquire and easily maintain
new data
•
To provide users with the ability to use existing data management
tools to access data wherever it is located
