1 Chapter 1. IDS essentials IBM Informix Dynamic Server 10 (IDS) continues a long-standing tradition within IBM and Informix of delivering first-in-class database servers. It combines the robustness, high performance, availability, and scalability that is needed by today's modern business. Complex, mission-critical database management applications typically require a combination of online transaction processing (OLTP), batch, and decision-support operations, which include OLAP. Meeting these needs is contingent upon a database server that can scale in performance as well as in functionality. The database server must adjust dynamically as requirements change--from accommodating larger amounts of data, to changes in query operations, to increasing numbers of concurrent users. The technology should be designed to use all the capabilities of the existing hardware and software configuration efficiently, including single and multiprocessor architectures. Finally, the database server must satisfy user demands for more complex application support, which often uses nontraditional or "rich" data types that cannot be stored in simple character or numeric form. IDS is built on the IBM Informix Dynamic Scalable Architecture (DSA). It provides one of the most effective solutions available--a next-generation parallel database architecture that delivers mainframe-caliber scalability, manageability and performance; minimal operating system overhead; automatic distribution of workload; and the capability to extend the server to handle new types of data. With version 10, IDS increases its lead over the database landscape with even © Copyright IBM Corp. 2006. All rights reserved. 1