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October 18, 1999

IBM DB2:
IBM Satellite Edition Offers Data On The Go

o compete with Microsoft SQL Server 7.0 Desktop Edition, Oracle Lite, and Sybase Adaptive Server Anywhere, IBM also introduced Satellite Edition ($199 per user) in this version of DB2. Satellite Edition provides remote, often-disconnected users with a way to create a copy of the server data, suitable for operating on-the-go.

For example, a salesperson will likely need copies of outstanding orders and invoices for customers. Instead of having to dial into the DB2 server database to work with this information, the salesperson can use Satellite Edition--in conjunction with the DB2 server--to create a copy of the data on a laptop system. With Satellite Edition's synchronization features, the local database copy will receive updates and--the next time he or she connects to the server--can synchronize changes with the server database.

The market leader for this type of product is Sybase Adaptive Server Anywhere, which is also one of the easiest products I've come across for creating remote databases to be used in this environment. DB2 Satellite Edition is probably one of the hardest to configure.

My test environment was a single Windows NT server running DB2 Enterprise Edition with a single Windows 98 system acting as my "satellite" system. I chose to replicate the sample database that came with DB2. I've done something similar with Adaptive Server Anywhere, and I've never spent more than 40 minutes to create and install the replicated environment.

Unfortunately, setting up DB2 Satellite Edition proved to be a far more harrowing affair. First, I had to specify which tables and columns should be replicated. Next, I had to configure the system to communicate with the DB2 host. Specifying which tables to subscribe to is entirely separate from the publishing process. Finally, a user must "generalize" the replication so that other satellites can be configured in a similar fashion, but with parameters to specify satellite-specific information. Only at this point was I able to perform the synchronization.

The generalization step simplifies the process of creating lots of similar satellites--for example, if you have multiple sales staffs with different customers--but getting to that point with each satellite is not easy or intuitive.

The primary customer for this product is one who has enough money to purchase IBM consulting time. For other potential customers, I'd recommend either picking a different mobile database product or waiting until IBM adds ease-of-use administration features to the product.

Return to main story, "DB2 Upgrade Disappoints."

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