IBM and AGS Release New Management Tools for IDS 11

IBM and AGS have teamed up to offer security and management tools for the newest installment of IDS (Informix Dynamic Server).

AGS Server Studio and Sentinel R. 6.1 are aimed at forming an infrastructure of multi-platform tools to help database professionals manage IBM Informix data server environments.

Bernie Spang, IBMs director of data servers, said the companys long-term partnership with AGS underscores IBMs commitment to providing IDS users with the performance optimization, availability and compliance management solutions they need.

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"AGS Sentinel and Studio are unique to IDS," he said in an interview. "They add new security features and provide support for the features of IDS 11."

IDS 11, code-named Cheetah, is considered the first major Informix release since IBM acquired the product. Slated to be released Friday, it comes less than a year after unveiling the DB2 9 Viper data server, and IBM officials said they expect the release to further expand the companys database business.

Click here to read more about the new Informix Data Server 11, code-named Cheetah.

IDS 11 provides clustered data centers with continuous data availability and disaster recovery regardless of the geographic location or distance between backup data center sites. Some of its other features include cell-, column- and row-level LBAC (label-based access control), which permits users to define security hierarchies and classification levels and apply those definitions to the information being managed. It also features a new SQL-based administrator application programming interface that monitors and performs tasks within and across applications.

Server Studio provides a collection of tools for database administrators and developers aimed at improving the efficiency of common database tasks such as: SQL development and debugging, schema management, configuration auditing and change management—all from a single, integrated graphical console.

Sentinel meanwhile offers around-the-clock monitoring, alerting, issue discovery, analysis and autonomic response automation infrastructure for IBM Informix Data Servers environment.

The relationship between AGS and IBM began in 2000 when IBM began distributing AGS Server Studio as the primary database development and administration tools suite with Informix data servers, officials at both companies said.

The Release 6.1 of Server Studio and Sentinel are available now through IBM and AGS worldwide. The Core Edition of Server Studio is provided by IBM to Informix customers at no additional cost. Its basic functionality can be extended by purchase of various premium editions available directly from AGS, officials said.

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