IBM Unleashes 'Cheetah' Database

IBM on Tuesday unveiled a database offering that the company says will bring mainframe-like reliability to small and midsize businesses while delivering advanced features to large enterprises that require high-speed transaction processing.

The company said its Informix Data Server 11, code-named "Cheetah," offers hands-free administration despite a range of advanced features such as the ability to pull data from geographically dispersed server clusters. IDS 11 also allows users to conduct text searches of unstructured information across multiple data sources.

The release of IDS 11 is the latest upgrade to technology that IBM acquired through its 2001 buyout of distributed database maker Informix. Since then, the company has mixed and matched Informix technologies with those found in its DB2 database line.

For example, IDS 11 includes Advanced Access Control, which IBM introduced last year with the debut of DB2 version 9, also known as "Viper." The technology lets users assign different security levels to data held within a database's cells, columns, and rows by using an approach that IBM calls label-based access control.

According to IBM, online gaming provider WorldWinner will use the Cheetah database to improve response times within the massively multiplayer online card and table games that it offers. IBM also said it expects the U.S. 911 emergency call network and credit-card company Visa to upgrade their existing IDS software to IDS 11.

IBM is counting on its fast-growing line of middleware software, which includes database products, to offset slowing growth in its services business. The company's middleware sales increased 10% year over year to $3.2 billion in the most recent first quarter.

IBM said it expects IDS 11 to be available July 6.