Re: Informix Questions

cherylk@prod1.jcdc.doleta.gov (Cheryl Kendricks) wrote: >On Tue, 4 Jun 1996, Nils Myklebust wrote: >> cherylk@prod1.jcdc.doleta.gov (Cheryl Kendricks) wrote: >> >> >Good info Nils, Why not use I-NET? Is it because of VB? >> >Thanks!!!!! >> >> No: >> 1. ODBC drivers that put most of the driver on the server are faster >> and have the oportunity to introduse many more features like >> encryption and other security enhancments. >Are you saying that I-NET is a FAT client, at least more so then ODBC? The concept fat client should be reserved for other purposes (typically when someone uses Visual Basic, Powerbuilder or similar products to build an enterprice solution without application partitioning). However I-Net adds a layer to the communication with the database server for which there is no need at all if what you whant is ODBC. ODBC receives requests (commands) from your program. These need to be translated into SQL the db understands. The results coming back must be equaly translated for your program to understand them. All this translation should be done on the server leaving only a minimal client too be installed on each workstation (PC or even Unix for those that want that). The key criteria for the client is that it's very simple to install and need little maintenance and support. Whatever clients you have support and installation is the one big problem. > Also >what are the addtional features do an ODBC offer vs encryption and what >are those other security enhancements? Read the witepaper from OpenLink available at http://www.openlinksw.com/product.html This gives a good overview of both what OpenLink can deliver and what you should expect from any other connectivity tool (this includes I-Net used with NewEra without using ODBC by the way). >I know a lot of this depends on WHAT ODBC drive you are using, so just >supply me on the BEST ODBC you use. If I could I would. I am a DBA for several installations, a developer of a major application sold internationally, I do customer support+++ I now have one employee and am getting another next week. I don't have the time to test this properly. I know of the following: Openlink (http://www.openlinksw.com) SQL Retriever (http://www.vision.sco.com) Intersolve SequeLink (http://www.intersolv.com/solution/dw_sqlk.htm) NB! Intersolve also have their DataDirect (without SequeLink appended) ODBC drivers which are *not* what you want. If anybody have tested these, read the above mentioned white paper from OpenLink, and can do a comparison, I would be very very happy to hear about it. Also if there are other products that are available it would be interesting to here about them. I also know that Visigenic is working on a server based ODBC driver. They are doing a lot of interesting things, but they did quote a price of something like US$ 4000 for 5 users which is far too expencive to my mind. There is also a french company who have such products. I have forgotten their name, but they have posted here in c.d.i. several times lately. They seem to also be somewhat on the expencive side though. Another key issue is of course that the product come from a stable company that we can not only expect to stay in bussiness for some time, but one that will and can also follow up with the vast amount of new functionallity and other things that will be needed in the near future. Also don't forget that *may be* JDBC (Java Database Connectivity or something like that) may become more important than ODBC. The jury will be out on that one though for some time yet.