IBM Releases Free Version of DB2 Express Database
2006-01-31 14:08:00
IBM has launched a new version of its DB2 Express database software, which is available on the Web as a free download. DB2 Express is designed for the small-to-midsize enterprise market.
IBM has not placed any restrictions on the number of users that may run DB2 Express-C or the number of connections a customer may establish with it. Nor has IBM placed any limits on database size.
"DB2 Express-C shares the same data server as DB2 Express, the licensed version that customers have to pay for," said Bernie Spang, director of IBM data servers. "But the DB2 Express licensed version has some features and tools that the free version does not have."
DB2 Express-C is a lighter version of the licensed product, Spang explained. But the free database software has more extensive features than free database programs from other vendors, he argued.
Response to Oracle
Robert Lerner, an analyst with U.S. consultancy Current Analysis, said that the launch of DB2 Express-C is IBM's response to the launch of free database software by Oracle, its main rival in the database space.
"I think that DB2 Express-C will raise awareness," he said. "IBM is engaged in a struggle with Oracle, not just in the general database market but also in the
Linux database market, where Oracle is dominant."
Peter Yared, chief executive officer of ActivGrid, a software firm that is bundling DB2 Express-C with its own development platform, echoed this sentiment.
"I think IBM's move is a response to the growing popularity of open-source database software such as MySQL," he said. "Open-source software is starting to eat into traditional database vendors' revenues."
Windows and Linux
DB2 Express-C works with both the Windows and Linux operating systems on both 32- and 64-bit architectures, according to IBM.
Additionally, DB2 Express-C supports up to 4 GB of memory and can run on multiprocessor machines.
Later this year, IBM plans to launch a hybrid version of DB2 Express-C, code-named "Viper," which will be able to handle both relational databases and XML databases, Spang said.
|
|
Spyware Threats Tripled in 2005
Last year was the biggest year yet for spyware, as consumers, small businesses, and enterprises across the globe were invaded by a plague of malicious software.
Firefox Exploit Emerges
An exploit that takes advantage of a recently-patched bug in Mozilla Corp.'s Firefox browser went public Tuesday, causing security vendors to urge users to update immediately.
New Google Desktop Grabs More Of Microsoft's Turf
Web search leader Google Inc. is introducing an upgraded version of its software for users to organize and find information on any computer and to share it with friends, the company said on Thursday.
Skype Adds Presence Feature To VoIP App
Skype on Thursday unveiled a presence feature in its Internet telephony software that a company could add to its Web site so users could see who is available for phone calls.
Panda Express Supports Charities with Plush Panda Bear Sales
American Red Cross and Childrens Hospital Los Angeles Receive 100 Percent of Proceeds
VeriSign Announces New Service to Protect Against Online Identity Theft
Acquisition of Snapcentric Anchors VeriSign Fraud Detection Service
MySpace Rises As New Online Star
The Internet has a rising star whose name isn't Google. Just over 2 years old, MySpace now has 2 1/2 times the traffic of Google Inc., and it quickly eclipsed Friendster as the top social-networking site where users build larger and larger circles of friends.
Search Engine Traffic Soars
People in the U.S. use the Internet for more everyday research than any other medium, a fact proven by the 55 percent year-on-year surge in online searches in December, according to market researcher Nielsen/NetRatings. And Google remained the most popular place for Americans to search cyberspace in December.
Remote Access Comes to Google Desktop
In the ongoing battle among file-search tools for the hearts, minds, and screen real estate of PC users, Google opens a new front by adding the ability to access files and recently viewed Web pages from your remote PCs.
Sun To Publish Draft For Open-Source DRM Specs
Sun Microsystems Inc. will publish open-source technical drafts for conditional access specifications (CAS) and digital rights management (DRM) within the next 10 days, the company said Friday.
|
