IBM Unveils DB2 Viper for the Mainframe

IBM (NYSE: IBM) announced that the DB2 9 "Viper" data server is now available for System z customers. Featuring hundreds of new features for mainframe customers, DB2 9 for z/OS will provide security, enhanced data storage compression and allow the seamless management of relational and XML data in the same database. DB2 9 for z/OS (DB2 9) brings significant advancements to the mainframe, including "pureXML" technology and enhanced autonomic data management capabilities. DB2 9 for z/OS builds upon capabilities in areas such as online schema evolution, Unicode, XML, SQL, utilities, security and compliance, and 64-bit virtual storage. Optimization improvements include performance-boosting innovations, synergy with IBM System z, and query management enhancements driving increased cost savings. In addition to DB2 9 for z/OS, IBM is announcing new and enhanced DB2 and IMS Tools including IBM DataQuant, DB2 Optimization Expert and DB2 Utilities Suite. IBM is also announcing that all DB2 tools support and exploit DB2 9 for z/OS. DB2 9 for z/OS is in addition to IBM's DB2 9 Viper data server that was first introduced for Linux, UNIX and Windows customers in July of 2006. DB2 9 is the culmination of a five-year IBM development project that transformed traditional, static database technology into an interactive data server that enables clients to manage all types of information and provides seamless and simultaneous information flow of XML and relational data, regardless of platform or location. http://ibm.com/db2/zos-new