Following the introduction of Sybase Inc’s B1 and B2 secure version of its relational database system for DEC VAX computers running Ultrix back in February, DEC has committed to Sybase where a secure database is required, and has signed a three-year worldwide distribution agreement. DEC is to sell the Sybase Secure SQL Server and Secure SQL Toolset, initially on the VAX series running Ultrix, although versions for the MIPS RISC-based DECstations are also under development. The long-term aim is to put the secure version on to VMS – when a secure version of VMS emerges. The system was shown in operation as part of an order-of-battle demonstration at the US 44th Armed Forces and Electronics Association Convention and Exposition in Washington this week. In the UK there are already four military VAX sites running the secure database, and more orders are expected following the agreement. Secure versions of the Sybase database are reckoned to run at around 80% of the performance of the firm’s standard offering.
