- 10 Essential Features When Choosing a Connectivity Solution
- Highly Scalable, Flexible Data Connectivity
- High Performance
- Simple Deployment and Administration
- Application Reliability
- Quality Database and Platform Support
- Fast, Efficient Throughput
- CPU Efficiency
- Small Memory Footprint
- Get a Thoroughly Tested Solution
- Technical Support
10 Essential Features When Choosing a Connectivity Solution
We examine key features—from APIs to efficiency to throughput—that an IT administrator should consider when buying a connectivity package.
Highly Scalable, Flexible Data Connectivity
In a resource-limited environment, you need a powerful solution that improves the response time, throughput and scalability of any application with less hardware.
High Performance
A connectivity solution that communicates directly with the database over TCP/IP using the database’s wire-level application programming interface (API) will perform even better than native database APIs by eliminating memory, CPU and network bottlenecks. This way, no DB client libraries are needed.
Simple Deployment and Administration
By choosing a solution with no database client libraries, you no longer need to deal with complex installation, configuration and maintenance.
Application Reliability
Make sure your drivers connect directly to the database. This will eliminate memory leaks, application hangs and crashes.
Quality Database and Platform Support
Check on the types of databases and platforms your prospective solution supports. Are you using Salesforce? Sybase? MySQL? Will it support applications running on Windows, Unix and Linux? How about mobile applications (i.e., iOS and Android)?
Fast, Efficient Throughput
Consider how a connectivity solution processes data. How quickly can it process, can it maintain that speed and what happens to the throughput when more users are added? The connectivity provider should be able to answer these questions ahead of time.
CPU Efficiency
CPU cycles can decrease throughput, so be sure to look for a solution with fewer cycles.
Small Memory Footprint
Different connectivity solutions use different amounts of memory. Look for one that will take up as little as possible to free up more space for other resources.
Get a Thoroughly Tested Solution
Reliability is key in a connectivity solution. Drivers that have been widely adopted and thoroughly tested are a safe bet. Security—federal government-level is best—is also a high-level requirement.
Technical Support
Sometimes we all need a little assistance with new solutions. It can be extremely helpful to have access to quality, responsive support, with expert knowledge of your particular drivers to resolve any issues.