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Oracle® Transparent Gateway for DRDA Installation and User's Guide
10g Release 2 (10.2) for UNIX

Part Number B16217-01
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1 Introduction

The Oracle Transparent Gateway for Distributed Relational Database Architecture (DRDA) enables you to:

This chapter provides information about the architecture, uses, and features of the Oracle Transparent Gateway for DRDA.

This chapter contains the following sections:

1.1 Introduction to the Oracle Transparent Gateway

In todays global economy, information is the most valuable resource o a company. Whether you need to analyze new markets, tailor your products to meet local demands, increase your ability to handle complex customer information, or streamline operations, your company requires instant access to current and complete information.

Company growth and diversification often mean functioning with a collage of applications and geographically scattered data that may be using incompatible networks, platforms, and storage formats. Diverse application standards and storage formats can make integration of information difficult. Oracle offers integration technologies to overcome these technical barriers. Oracle Open Gateways simplify complex systems and remove obstacles to information, providing your company the opportunity to focus on business.

Protection of Current Investment

Oracle Transparent Gateway for DRDA gives your company the ability to develop its information systems without forfeiting its investments in current data and applications. The gateway gives you access to your Oracle data and DB2 data with a single set of applications while you continue to use existing IBM applications to access your DB2 data. You can also use more productive database tools and move to a distributed database technology without giving up access to your current data.

If you choose to migrate to Oracle Database technology, then the gateway enables you to control the pace of your migration. As you transfer applications from your previous technology to the Oracle Database, you can use the gateway to move the DB2 data into Oracle Databases.

1.2 Release 10g Gateways

The Oracle Database 10g provides the foundation for the next generation of the Oracle Open gateways Release 10g, which will deliver enhanced integration capabilities by exploiting Oracle Database 10g Heterogeneous Services. Heterogeneous Services is a component of Oracle Database 10g. Oracle Database 10g provides the common architecture for future generations of the gateways. For detailed information on Oracle Heterogeneous Services, refer to Oracle Database Heterogeneous Connectivity Administrator's Guide.

The version 10 gateways are even more tightly integrated with Oracle Database 10g than previous versions, enabling improved performance and enhanced functionality while still providing transparent integration of Oracle and non-Oracle data. For example, connection initialization information is available in the local Oracle Database 10g server, reducing the number of round trips and the amount of data sent over the network. SQL execution is also faster, because statements issued by an application are parsed and translated once and can then be reused by multiple applications.

Version 10 gateways leverage any enhancements in Oracle Database 10g, and you can quickly extend those benefits to your non-Oracle data.

Advantages of Oracle Transparent Gateway for DRDA

Oracle Transparent Gateway for DRDA enables Oracle applications to access the DRDA Application Servers, such as DB2 for MVS, through SQL The gateway and Oracle Database 10g together create the appearance that all data resides on a local Oracle Database 10g, even though data might be widely distributed. If data is moved from a DRDA Application Server database to an Database server, then no changes in application design or function are needed. The gateway handles all differences in both data types and SQL functions between the application and the database.

1.3 Gateway Capabilities

Oracle Transparent Gateway for DRDA gives you the power to integrate your heterogeneous system into a single, seamless environment. This integration enables you to make full use of existing hardware and applications throughout your corporate-wide environment. You can eliminate the need to rewrite applications for each configuration, and you can avoid the tedious, error-prone process of manual data transfer. Together with the Oracle tools, networking, and data server technology, the Oracle Transparent Gateway for DRDA sets a high standard for seamless, enterprise-wide information access.

Oracle Transparent Gateway for DRDA enables applications to read and update DB2 data and Oracle data as if all of the data were stored in a single database. As a result, end users and application programmers are not required to know either the physical location or the storage characteristics of the data. This transparency not only enables you to integrate heterogeneous data seamlessly, it simplifies your gateway implementation, application development, and maintenance.The gateway capabilities are as follows:

1.3.1 Transparency at All Levels

The Oracle Transparent Gateway for DRDA gives you transparency at every level within your enterprise. Oracle Transpatent gateway gives you transparency at the following levels:

  • Location

    End users can access tables by name without needing to understand the physical location of the tables.

  • Network

    The gateways exploit the Oracle Net technology to allow users to access data across multiple networks without concern for the network architecture. TCP/IP protocol is supported.

  • Operating system

    You can access data stored under multiple operating systems without being aware of the operating systems that hold the data.

  • Data storage

    Data can be accessed regardless of the database or file format.

  • Access method

    You can utilize a single dialect of SQL for any data store, eliminating the need to code for database-specific access methods or SQL implementations.

1.3.2 Extended Database Services

Following are some of the sophisticated Oracle Database 10g services available through the gateway:

  • SQL functions

    Your application can access all your data using Oracle SQL, which is rich in features. Advanced Oracle Database 10g server functions, such as outer joins, are available even if the target data stores do not support them in a native environment. The method by which the gateways are integrated with the Oracle Database 10g server ensures that the latest features of each database release are always available immediately to the gateway.

  • Distributed capabilities

    Heterogeneous data can be integrated seamlessly because Oracle distributed capabilities, such as JOIN and UNION, can be applied against non-Oracle data without any special programming or mapping.

  • Distributed query optimization

    The Oracle Database 10g can utilize its advanced query optimization techniques to ensure that SQL statements are executed efficiently against any of your data. The data distribution and storage characteristics of local and remote data are equally considered.

  • Two-phase commit protection

    The database server two-phase commit mechanism provides consistency across data stores by ensuring that a transaction that spans data stores is still treated as a single unit of work. Changes are not committed (or permanently stored) in any data store unless the changes can be committed in all data stores that will be affected.

  • Stored procedures and database triggers

    The same Oracle stored procedures and database triggers can be used to access all of your data, thereby ensuring uniform enforcement of your business rules across the enterprise.

1.3.3 Extended Advanced Networking, Internet and Intranet Support

The gateway integration with the Oracle Database 10g extends (to non-Oracle data) the benefits of the Oracle Internet and Oracle Net software and extends the benefits of the Oracle client/server and server/server connectivity software. These powerful features include:

  • Application server support

    Any Internet or intranet application that can access data in Oracle Database can also incorporate information from data stores accessible through the gateways. Web browsers can connect to the Oracle Database using any application server product that supports Oracle software.

  • Implicit protocol conversion

    Oracle and Oracle Net can work together as a protocol converter, allowing applications to transparently access other data stores on platforms that do not support the clients network protocol. An Oracle Database 10g can use TCP/IP to communicate with the gateway and another data store.

  • Advanced Security

    Non-Oracle data can be protected from unauthorized access or tampering during transmission to the client. This is done by using the hardware-independent and protocol-independent encryption and CHECKSUM services of Advanced Security.

  • Wireless communication

    Oracle Mobile Agents, an Oracle industry-leading mobile technology, enables wireless communication to Oracle Database 10g or to any databases that are accessible through the gateways. This gives your field personnel direct access to enterprise data from mobile laptop computers.

1.3.4 Dynamic Dictionary Mapping

The simple setup of the gateway does not require any additional mapping. Before an application can access any information, the application must be told the structure of the data, such as the columns of a table and their lengths. Many products require administrators to manually define that information in a separate data dictionary stored in a hub. Applications then access the information using the hub dictionary instead of the native dictionaries of each database. This approach requires a great deal of manual configuration and maintenance on your part. As administrators, you must update the data dictionary in the hub whenever the structure of a remote table is changed.

Inefficient duplication is not necessary with Oracle Transparent Gateway for DRDA. The gateway uses the existing native dictionaries of each database. Your applications access data using the dictionaries designed specifically for each database, which means no redundant dictionary ever needs to be created or maintained.

1.3.5 SQL

Oracle Transparent gateways ease your application development and maintenance by allowing you to access any data using a uniform set of SQL. Changes to the location, storage characteristics, or table structure do not require any changes to your applications. ANSI and ISO standard SQL are supported, along with powerful Oracle extensions.

1.3.6 Data Definition Language

Oracle Applications can create tables in target data stores by using native data definition language (DDL) statements.

1.3.7 Data Control Language

You can issue native data control language (DCL) statements from an Oracle environment, allowing central administration of user privileges and access levels for heterogeneous data stores.

1.3.8 Passthrough and Native DB2 SQL

Execution of native DB2 SQL can be passed through the gateway for execution directly against DB2. This enables applications to send statements, such as a DB2 CREATE TABLE, to the gateway for execution on a target DB2 system.

1.3.9 Stored Procedures

The gateway enables you to exploit both Oracle and non-Oracle stored procedures, leveraging your investments in a distributed, multi-database environment. Oracle stored procedures can access multiple data stores easily, without any special coding for the heterogeneous data access.

Oracle Stored Procedures

Oracle stored procedures enable you to access and update DB2 data using centralized business rules stored in the Oracle Database 10g. Using Oracle stored procedures can increase your database performance by minimizing network traffic. Instead of sending individual SQL statements across the network, an application can send a single EXECUTE command to begin an entire PL/SQL routine.

Native DB2 Stored Procedures

The gateway can execute DB2 stored procedures using standard Oracle PL/SQL. The Oracle application executes the DB2 stored procedure as if it were an Oracle remote procedure.

1.3.10 Languages

Any application or tool that supports the Oracle Database 10g can access over thirty different data sources through the Oracle gateways. A wide variety of open system tools from Oracle Corporation and third-party vendors can be used, even if the data is stored in legacy, proprietary formats. Hundreds of tools are supported, including ad hoc query tools, Web browsers, turnkey applications, and application development tools.

1.3.11 Oracle Database Technology and Tools

The gateway is integrated into the Oracle Database technology, which provides global query optimization, transaction coordination for multi-site transactions, support for all Oracle Net configurations, and so on. Tools and applications that support the Oracle Database server can be used to access heterogeneous data through the gateway.

1.3.12 SQL*Plus

You can use SQL*Plus for moving data between databases. This product gives you the ability to copy data from your department databases to corporate Oracle Database instances.

1.3.13 Two-Phase Commit and Multi-Site Transactions

The gateway can participate as a partner in multi-site transactions and two-phase commit. How this occurs depends on the capabilities of the underlying data source, meaning that the gateway can be implemented as any one of the following:

  • Full two-phase commit partner

  • Commit point site

  • Single-site update partner

  • Read-only partner

The deciding factors for the implementation of the gateway are the locking and transaction-handling capabilities of your target database.

Oracle Transparent Gateway for DRDA, by default, is configured as a commit point site, that is, commit confirm protocol. Optionally, you can configure the gateway as read-only if you choose to enforce read-only capability through the gateway. Other protocols are not supported. Refer to "Read-Only Gateway" in Chapter 12, "Using the Oracle Transparent Gateway for DRDA".

1.3.14 Site Autonomy

All Oracle Database products, including gateways, supply site autonomy. For example, administration of a data source remains the responsibility of the original system administrator. Site autonomy also functions such that gateway products do not override the security measures established by the data source or operating environment.

1.3.15 Migration and Coexistence

The integration of a data source through the gateway does not require any changes to be made to applications at the data source. The result is that the Oracle Database server technology is non-intrusive, providing coexistence and an easy migration path.

1.3.16 Security

The gateway does not bypass existing security mechanisms. gateway security coexists with the security mechanisms already used in the operating environment of the data source.

Functionally, gateway security is identical to that of an Oracle Database, as described in the Oracle Database Administrator's Guide. Oracle Database security is mapped to the data dictionary of the data source.

1.4 Terms

The terms used in this guide do not necessarily conform to the IBM terminology. The following list presents several terms and their meanings as used within this guide:

DRDA data is, generically, any database data accessed through DRDA.

DRDA database is the collection of data that belongs to a DRDA Server

DRDA server is a database server that can be accessed through DRDA. IBM terminology for a DRDA Server is a DRDA Application Server, or AS.

DRDA Server type is a specific database product or program that can act as a DRDA Server.

Oracle integrating server is any Oracle Database 10g server instance that communicates with the Oracle Transparent Gateway for DRDA to distribute database access operations to a DRDA Server. The Oracle integrating server can also be used for non-gateway applications.

DB2 Universal Database is a generic name for the UNIX-based or Windows-based implementations of DB2. DB2/UDB is frequently used as an abbreviation for DB2 Universal Database.

1.5 Architecture

The Oracle Transparent Gateway for DRDA works with the Oracle Database 10g

to shield most of the differences of the non-Oracle database from Oracle applications. This means that the Oracle applications can access the Oracle Database 10g data and the DRDA database data as if it were Oracle Database data located at the Oracle integrating server.

The architecture consists of the following main components:

Multiple Oracle Database 10g servers can access the same gateway. A single host gateway installation can be configured to access more than one DRDA Server.

Figure 1-1 illustrates the gateway architecture.

Figure 1-1 The Gateway Architecture

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1.6 Implementation

When the gateway is installed on your host, it has some of the same components as an Oracle Database instance on your host. The gateway has the following components:

The gateway does not have:

Because the gateway does not have background processes and does not need a management utility, such as Oracle Enterprise Manager, you do not need to start the gateway product. Each Oracle Database 10g user session that accesses a particular gateway creates an independent process on the host. This process runs the gateway session and executes SNA or TCP/IP functions to communicate with a DRDA Server.

1.7 How the Gateway Works

The gateway has no database functions of its own. Instead, it provides an interface by which an Oracle Database 10g can direct part or all of a SQL operation to a DRDA database.

The gateway that is supporting the DRDA Server is identified to the Oracle integrating server using a database link. The database link is the same construct that is used to identify other Oracle Database 10g databases. Tables on the DRDA Server are referenced in SQL as:

table_name@dblink_name

or

owner.table_name@dblink_name

If you create synonyms or views in the Oracle integrating server database, then you can refer to tables on the DRDA Server by using simple names as though the table were local to the Oracle integrating server.

When the Oracle integrating server encounters a reference to a table that is on the DRDA Server, the applicable portion of the SQL statement is sent to the gateway for processing. Any host variables that are associated with the SQL statement are bound to the gateway and, therefore, to the DRDA Server.

The gateway is responsible for sending these SQL statements to the DRDA Server for execution and for fielding and returning responses. The responses are either data or messages. Any conversions between Oracle data types and DRDA data types are performed by the gateway. Both the Oracle integrating server and the application read and process only Oracle data types.

SQL Differences

Not all SQL implementations are the same. The Oracle Database 10g supports a larger set of built-in functions than the databases that are currently accessed through the gateway. The Oracle integrating server and the gateway work together to convert SQL to a form that is compatible with the specific DRDA Server.

During this conversion, an Oracle Database 10g function can be converted to a function that is recognizable to the specific DRDA Server. For example, the Oracle Database 10g NVL function is converted to the DB2 VALUE function.

Alternatively, the Oracle integrating server withholds functions that are not executable by the DRDA Server and performs them after rows are fetched from the DRDA database. This processing generally applies to SELECT statements. The Oracle integrating server and the gateway cannot perform this kind of manipulation on UPDATE, INSERT, or DELETE statements because doing so changes transaction semantics.

1.8 Oracle Tools and the Gateway

Use the Oracle Transparent Gateway to run applications, such as Oracle Database tools, that read and write data that is stored in DRDA databases.

While the Oracle Transparent Gateway for DRDA provides no new application or development facilities, it extends the reach of existing Oracle Database tools to include data in non-Oracle databases that support DRDA.

Using the Oracle Transparent Gateway for DRDA with other Oracle products can greatly extend the capabilities of the stand-alone gateway.

1.8.1 SQL*Plus

Use SQL*Plus and the Oracle Transparent Gateway for DRDA to create a distributed database system, providing an easy-to-use transfer facility for moving data between the distributed databases. One possible use is to distribute the data in your corporate Oracle Database to departmental DRDA databases. You can also distribute data in your corporate DRDA database to departmental Oracle Databases.

1.9 Features

Following is a list of important features that characterize release of the Oracle gateway. The features are:

Heterogeneous Services Architecture

ThE 10.2 release of the Oracle Transparent Gateway for DRDA utilizes the Oracle Heterogeneous Services component within the Oracle Database 10g. Heterogeneous Services is the building block for the next generation of Oracle Open Gateways.

For detailed information about heterogeneous services, refer to Oracle Database Heterogeneous Connectivity Administrator's Guide.

Performance Enhancements

Oracle Transparent Gateway for DRDA contains several internal performance enhancements. This product has shown major improvements in response time and CPU utilization for all relevant address spaces for a variety of workloads compared to version 9 gateways. The actual performance improvement at your site might vary, depending on your installation type and workload.

Fetch Reblocking

The array size of the application for SELECT is effective between the application and the Oracle integrating server. However, the array blocksize and the block fetch between the Oracle integrating server and the gateway are controlled by two Heterogeneous Services initialization parameters: HS_RPC_FETCH_SIZE and HS_RPC_FETCH_REBLOCKING. These parameters are specified in the Gateway Initialization File. Refer to Oracle Database Heterogeneous Connectivity Administrator's Guide for more information.

Oracle Database 10g Passthrough Supported

You can use the Oracle Database 10g DBMS_HS_PASSTHROUGH.EXECUTE_IMMEDIATE method to pass commands or statements available in your DRDA database through the gateway.

Retrieving Result Sets Through Passthrough

Oracle Transparent gateway for DRDA provides a facility to retrieve result sets from a select SQL statement issued with passthrough. Refer to "Retrieving Results Sets Through Passthrough" for additional information.

Support for TCP/IP

This release of the gateway supports the TCP/IP communication protocol between the gateway and the DRDA Server. Refer to Chapter 9, "Configuring TCP/IP", for further information.

Native Semantics

This release of the gateway supports the ability to selectively enable or disable post-processing of various SQL functions by the DRDA Server. Refer to "Native Semantics" for further information.

Columns Supported in a Result Set

Oracle Transparent gateway for DRDA supports up to 1000 columns in a result set.

EXPLAIN_PLAN Improvement

The EXPLAIN_PLAN table contains the actual SQL statements passed to the DRDA Server from the Oracle Database 10g through the gateway.

Heterogeneous Database Integration

The gateway support for ANSI-standard SQL enables read/write access to DRDA databases. Even if your data exists on different platforms in different applications, new applications can use all data, regardless of location.

Minimum Impact on Existing Systems

The gateway does not require installation of additional Oracle software on your OS/390 (MVS), AS/400, VM, or UNIX target system. The database interface that it uses is provided by IBM and is built into the DRDA database products and SNA or TCP/IP facilities that already exist on these platforms.

Configuring an IBM system for DRDA access typically consists of defining the SNA or TCP/IP resources involved and establishing access security definitions specific to the target database.

Large Base of Data Access

DRDA Application Server Function is supported by most IBM DB2 database products.

Application Portability

The gatewa's ability to interface with heterogeneous databases makes it possible to develop a single set of portable applications that can be used against both Oracle and IBM databases, and any other databases for which Oracle Corporation provides gateways.

Remote Data Access

Location flexibility is maximized because the gateway architecture permits network connections between each of the components. The application can use the Oracle client-server capability to connect to a remote Oracle integrating server through Oracle Net. The Oracle integrating server can connect to a remote gateway using a database link. The gateway connects to DRDA Server through SNA or TCP/IP network facilities.

The benefits of remote access are:

Support for Distributed Applications

Because the gateway gives your application direct access to DRDA data, you eliminate the need to upload and download large quantities of database data to other processors. Instead, you can access data where it is, when you want it, without having to move the data between machines and risk unsynchronized and inconsistent data. Avoiding massive data replication can also reduce aggregate disk storage requirements over all your systems.

However, if your system design requires moving data among the machines in a network, SQL*Plus and the gateway can simplify the data transfer. With a single SQL*Plus command, you can move entire sets of data from one node of the network to another and from one database to another.

You can pass commands and statements specific to your DRDA database through the gateway to be executed by the DRDA database. For example, you can pass DB2/OS390 commands through the gateway for DB2 to execute. You can also execute stored procedures defined in non-Oracle databases.

Application Development and End User Tools

Through the gateway, Oracle extends the range of application development and end-user tools you can use to access your IBM databases. These tools increase application development and user productivity by reducing prototype, development, and maintenance time. Current Oracle Database users do not have to learn a new set of tools to access data stored in DRDA databases. Instead, they can access Oracle Database and DRDA data with a single set of tools.

With the gateway and the application development tools available from Oracle you can develop a single set of applications to access Oracle Database and DRDA data. Users can use the decision support tools available from Oracle to access Oracle Database and DRDA data. These tools can run on remote machines connected through Oracle Net to the Oracle integrating server.

When designing applications, keep in mind that the gateway is designed for retrieval and relatively light transaction loads. The gateway is not currently designed to be a heavy transaction processing system.

Password Encryption Utility

The 10.2 release of the gateway includes a utility to support encryption of plain-text passwords in the Gateway Initialization File. Refer to Chapter 14, "Security Considerations" for details.

Support for DB2/OS390 V6, V7 and V8 Stored Procedures

The 10.2 release of the gateway supports the native stored procedure catalogs in DB2 V6, V7 and V8 (SYSIBM.SYSROUTINES and SYSIBM.SYSPARMS).

Codepage Map Facility

This release of the gateway supports external mapping of IBM CCSIDs to Oracle Character Sets. Refer to "Gateway Codepage Map Facility" in Appendix D, "National Language Support".

IBM DB2 Universal Database Support

The 10.2 release supports IBM DB2 Universal Database.

IBM DB2 Version 5.1 ASCII Tables

IBM DB2 Version 5.1 supports ASCII and EBCDIC character sets. The character set selection is defined during table creation. The Oracle Transparent gateway for DRDA supports access to EBCDIC tables and ASCII tables. Refer to Appendix D, "National Language Support".

Read-Only Support

The 10.2 release enables the gateway to be configured as a read-only gateway. In this mode, no modifying of user data will be allowed. For more information, refer to "DRDA_READ_ONLY".

Support for Graphic and Multi-byte Data

The 10.2 release of the gateway adds support for DB2 GRAPHIC and VARGRAPHIC data types. Refer to Chapter 13, "Developing Applications".

Support for DB2/UDB on Intel Hardware

The 10.2 release of the gateway adds support for DRDA Servers running on Microsoft Windows and Linux on Intel hardware.

Data Dictionary Support for DB2/UDB

The 10.2 release of the gateway adds Oracle data dictionary support for DB2 UDB V7. Refer to "Sample SQL scripts".