In the first week of October IBM Corp will debut a new cut of its MQSeries asynchronous messaging middleware codenamed Armada, which will include support for messages up to 100Mb in size. In addition to other features, the release adds support for a range of recently-updated IBM and third party operating system environments, online transaction processing systems and new databases. IBM now offers four code bases; MQIntegrator for complex heterogeneous environments; MQSeries for large and medium size enterprises; MQSeries niche for companies with custom requirements; and MQWare for ISVs writing general purpose applications. IBM says MQSeries is not designed to be used to deliver the kind of non-mission critical perishable information that pushed across the net by the various on-line services. To begin with MQSeries messages include a large amount of header information, so if a net-based message – such as a Pointcast news page update – includes only a small amount of data it would be like trying to crack a nut with a sledgehammer. Nevertheless organizations are using MQSeries to ensure delivery of net-based traffic to customers and suppliers, and to build mission-critical publish-and-subscribe systems, IBM says. IBM claims MQSeries commands 45% of a $200m market.
