Further details are gradually coming to light about the database that IBM is developing for its AIX operating system. John Glyde, IBM UK AIX Manager said that it will be marketed as a direct rival to databases offered by Oracle and Ingres for the Unix market – it will be marketed for sale on non-IBM equipment. As has been reported previously (CI No 1,549) the AIX database is being modelled on the database manager in OS/2 Extended Edition. When asked to describe the type of product this database will be Glyde said that it will be akin to Oracle – a product that will run on multiple platforms. US sources say a key part of this AIX database, as of all IBM’s databases, is the company’s Distributed Relational Data Architecture announced in July (CI No 1,460). This architecture extends the power of IBM’s Structured Query Language from one system to a network of connected systems. It prescribes commands, data descriptors, data, objects, communications areas and statements and builds on other Common Communications Support protocols – SNA LU 6.2, a new level of Distributed Data Management, the new Formatted Data Object Content Architecture, as well as the new Character Data Representation Architecture. IBM is reportedly hawking DRDA around various standards bodies and independent database vendors to get it accepted as a universal standard. However, since IBM will be marketing this architecture on non-IBM machines via the AIX database, marketing muscle may well create a de facto standard anyway. After all, this database will offer Unix users the ability to fit their mid-range machines in snugly with any host mainframes running DB2 and, thereby, with SAA. Glyde says the product is unlikely to appear next year, but IBM’s AIX contingent is keen to get it to market as soon as possible. It is unclear whether the database will be bundled with RS/6000s.
