April 22, 2008
Volume 9, Issue 7

IN THIS ISSUE:

1. From the Blogs
* Better performance through write I/O optimization
* Certification quiz: Backing up and revoking privileges
2. Most Popular Stories
* What's hot this month on ibmdatabasemag.com
3. IBM News
* IBM sMashes into Web 2.0
* UniData 7.2 enters beta
* Information Server family expands
4. At the Bookstore
* SOA for the Business Developer: Concepts, BPEL, and SCA
5. Informix Update
* Icarus Studios plays on with IDS 11
* IDS delivers to print, Web, and wireless
6. Skills Set
* News and information about IBM education
7. In the Zone
* The latest developerWorks articles on DB2, Informix, and more

**** Sponsored by xkoto *****

Huge savings, continuous uptime, increased performance...these are just a few differences between high and continuous availability.

Backed by IBM support, xkoto's GRIDSCALE® Data Virtualization is the only continuous availability solution on the market today designed specifically for IBM DB2.

Learn more and download your free GRIDSCALE whitepaper today!

*************************************

1. From the Blogs

* DB2 LUW Performance: Write I/O Optimization
DB2 does two kinds of I/O: synchronous and asynchronous. Application connections must wait for synchronous I/O to complete before continuing processing, but asynchronous I/O allows the application connection to continue processing without delay. Performance expert Scott Hayes explains why a high percentage of asynchronous write I/O is always desirableand what kind of performance gains you can expect.

* DB2 DBA Certification Quiz
DB2 certification study guide author Roger E. Sanders tests readers' certification readiness with his latest batch of sample questions. Up this week: How to back up a database without affecting workloads and how to revoke DBADM privileges

2. Most Popular Stories

* This Month's Hottest TopicsOldies But Goodies Join Emerging Technologies
Take a spin through the most popular article statistics for ibmdatabasemag.com and you'll find that good advice has impressive staying power. Top-read articles this month (not including blog posts) include:

-- Say What? Plans + DBRMS + Packages + Collections + Versions = Confusion

-- Embedding SQL in Unix Scripts

-- Configuring DB2 9 with WebSphere Application Server 6.1

-- Monitoring and Tuning Memory in DB2 9 for Linux, Unix, and Windows

-- IBM Data Studio: Dawn of a New Era in Enterprise Data Management

3. IBM News

* IBM sMashes into Web 2.0
IBM introduced a complete portfolio to help individual users and teams build mashups to pull together internal and external information in the manner they need. The portfolio includes IBM Mashup Center, WebSphere sMash, and InfoSphere MashupHub, which unlocks information in enterprise, Web, and departmental systems without requiring changes to the underlying data sourcesallowing it to be mixed and transformed for situational applications, while security and governance are managed to enterprise standards.

* UniData 7.2 Enters Beta
UniData 7.2 transitioned from Early Adopter to Beta testing in March. The latest UniData release will include new features such as data at rest encryption, concurrent resizing of files, replication enhancements, a graphical tool for U2 developers, and more.

* Information Server Expands
IBM introduced the Information Server FastTrack, a new module that includes new capabilities that automate time-consuming processes required to translate business requirements into software code. IBM Information Server is a complete platform for integrating and cleansing data from across heterogeneous enterprise systems. FastTrack can be used with the IBM Industry Models and Rational Data Architect to simplify and speed the deployment of data warehouses based on the IBM models or to speed up implementation projects related to the recently announced IBM InfoSphere Master Data Management Server.

4. At the Bookstore

* SOA for the Business Developer: Concepts, BPEL, and SCA
by Ben Margolis
The latest entry in a host of books about service-oriented architecture (SOA) explains the benefits of organizing software with SOA as well as the underlying technologies SOA relies on, including: XML, WSDL, SOAP, XPath, BPEL, Service Component Architecture (SCA), and Service Data Objects (SDO). Business examples and figures illustrate the explanations throughout the book.

5. Informix Update

* Icarus Studios Plays Up IDS
Icarus Studios has ported its database systems for game and virtual world data storage and retrieval to IBM Informix Dynamic Server (IDS) 11. Icarus works with leading entertainment companies, intellectual property owners, and e-learning customers, serving as a comprehensive resource center for builders of 3D virtual worlds, massively multiplayer online games, and simulation projects. Icarus Studios licensee Fallen Earth, a massively multiplayer online role-playing game currently in development, runs on IBM BladeCenter, IBM System x, and IBM System Storage.

* IDS Delivers to Print, Web, and Wireless
MediaSpan Group Inc. announced support for IBM Informix Dynamic Server (IDS) 11 software to help manage news content delivery to print, online, and wireless news services. IDS 11 will be used with MediaSpan's Jazbox editorial software, a content management solution that enables news organizations to publish to print, Web, and wireless simultaneously. With a database-centered structure, Jazbox streamlines news publishers' workflows while allowing for edits to the content throughout the publishing cycle.

6. Skills Set

* IBM's See Blue, Think Green Technical Conference
In February 2008, Computerworld rated IBM the top green IT company. At this new conference, August 25-28 in Chicago, find out why IBM, consultants, and other strategic companies see going green as a business decision that can save money and benefit the IT operational budget for years to come. The event presents best practices in energy efficiency, from innovative power and cooling technologies, to eco-friendly asset disposal services. Technical sessions and hands-on labs delve into IBM Systems announcements and other hot topics by platform.

* William Shatner, Lance Armstrong, and Drew Carey at IBM Technical Conferences
Celebs will be on hand to inspire and entertain, but they're just the opening act to in-depth product information from IBM developers and executives. Explore current and emerging technical hot topics, meet industry leaders and network with peers from around the globe. Choose from dozens of conferences around the world.

* Role-Specific Enterprise Content Management (ECM) Training Plans
The people who design, build, deploy, and support ECM systems need the proper skills. IBM offers free role-based Enterprise Training Plans for system administrators, programmers, and business users.

* Study, Certify and Save
IBM Information Management Training is offering $75 off DB2 certification exams with the purchase of the associated certification study guide.

* Now available: Spring 2008 IBM Training eCatalog
IBM has made finding IT training simple with a Web-based, interactive training catalog. Locate appropriate courses and conferences with a few clicks.

* Podcast: IBM Press Program Manager Talks Books
IBM Information Management books are critical assets for IT professionals. Susan Visser, IBM Press Program Manager for Information Management, talks about what's new in Informix and DB2 certification titles.

* New DB2 9 Redbooks
IBM Redbooks are excellent guides to technical topics, filled with step-by-step instructions and how-to guidelines. In addition to positioning and value guidance, Redbooks include installation and implementation experiences, sample code and other support materials.

7. In the Zone

* Which DB2 9.5 client connectivity option is right for you?

* Use WebSphere Service Registry and Repository as the master registry for DB2 pureXML schemas

* New options for analyzing lock timeouts in DB2 9.5

* Real-time data acquisition: Connecting your exercise bike to Informix or DB2

* U2.NET -- Develop a native MultiValue style master-detail application

* Replication Live: Use the Q Replication Dashboard for real-time monitoring