IBM releases open beta of next DB2 with 200 new features

IBM announced a new software designed to help customers simplify and automate
many of the tasks associated with maintaining database management systems. As a
result, organizations can slash development time when building next-generation
applications, increase efficiencies and focus more on aligning their technology
to support strategic business initiatives.

The new version includes autonomic computing features for automatically
deploying, configuring, maintaining and optimizing DB2 on the fly. This will
make it possible for database administrators (DBAs) to complete complex jobs 6.5
times faster than if done manually.

Stinger is also the first deployment of new query optimization technology
from IBM’s LEO (learning optimizer) research and development project. LEO is
the next generation of IBM’s query optimizer technology, in which the database
automates, simplifies and accelerates queries without human intervention.

With LEO, DB2 will now automatically and continually update query statistics
about how the database is being used, where it keeps information and how it is
performing. As a result, DB2 now automatically creates and executes better plans
for accessing data without prompting the DBA to take action.

Additionally, IBM is introducing Autonomic Object Maintenance. This new
feature automatically performs administration and maintenance functions, such as
table adjustments or data back-ups. For example, a DBA specifies what time the
database should do its maintenance, the database then considers its workload
with the DBA’s time suggestion, and automatically performs its maintenance
tasks.

Stinger will also support the 64-bit performance of IBM’s POWER processors,
which lie at the heart of eServer BladeCenter and eServer pSeries and iSeries.
DB2 has long supported blade servers – rack-mounted servers expressly designed
for clustering. DB2 now supports all four of IBM’s server platforms running
Linux, as well as other servers built on Intel and AMD 64-bit processors.

Stinger will become generally available later this year.

CI NEWS BUREAU