 |
|
How to register a blade without using Blade Manager
Is there any way to register a datablade without using Blade Manager (also know as blademgr)?
There isn't a great deal of need for this on UNIX since the blademgr command line utility is distributed as part of IDS in the bin directory - though having said that it would be handy to be able to perform as many administrative functions as possible remotely via SQL.
On Windows there is no command line blademgr utility; the only option is to install the DBDK (DataBlade Developer's Kit) and use the GUI Blade Manager utility in order to register a blade with a database. That seems like a lot of effort to go to just to register a blade, especially since IDS 11.10 comes with some new bundled blades like Binary UDT, Basic Text Search and Node.
There is an alternative to calling blademgr, and that is to call the underlying SYSBldPrepare() and SYSBldRegister() SQL functions to register a blade manually. As far as I know this method was first published externally by Jochen Platzer in this comp.databases.informix thread in 2004:
datablade registration in ANSI database
For example here is how I would register the Binary UDT datablade with a database called "mydb":
DATABASE mydb;
EXECUTE FUNCTION SYSBldPrepare('ifxmngr', 'sysblderrorlog');
EXECUTE FUNCTION SYSBldRegister('binaryudt.1.0','sysblderrorlog');
Now suppose I wanted to automate this process on Windows and create a batch file that registers an arbitrary blade to a database. Something like this would work for simple blades (i.e. blades that do not depend on other blades):
bladereg.bat:
echo EXECUTE FUNCTION SYSBldPrepare('ifxmngr', 'sysblderrorlog'); ^
EXECUTE FUNCTION SYSBldRegister('%2','sysblderrorlog') | dbaccess %1
So to register the Binary UDT blade to a database "mydb" using this batch file you would call: bladereg mydb binaryudt.1.0.
See Jochen's original post for instructions on manually registering blades that depend on other blades (like the Excalibur Text Blade for example). In summary, each dependent blade should be registered with SYSBldRegister in the correct order.
Is this method a supported way of registering a blade? Well, since it is not officially documented (AFAIK), it could change at some point, so if you have trouble with it, it would be advisable to try reproducing the problem with blademgr first.
Categories
: [ blades ]
Mar 29 2008, 06:44:55 PM EDT
Permalink
|
|
Database Popularity Contest
I love meaningless internet popularity contests where you never really know whether the winning object of affection has the popular vote or the most orchestrated get-the-votes-out campaign. This year IBM Informix Dynamic Server 11 (IDS 11) is in the finals of the CI Product of the Year: Databases, along with Oracle Database 11g, Microsoft SQL Server, MaxDB by MySQL and CodeGear's InterBase 2007 Server Edition. So here's your chance to vote, and take part in direct democracy at its best, where sovereignty is held by the assembly of all citizens who choose to participate, or the most fanatical pressure group, depending on one's perspective.
Mar 21 2008, 01:11:43 PM EDT
Permalink
|
|
IBM’s Top Performing Value Add Distributor - Bell Micro
Congratulations to Bell Micro who are the "2007 Top Performing Value Add Distributor - IBM Software" as announced in this press release today:
BELL MICRO NAMED IBM’S TOP PERFORMING VALUE ADD DISTRIBUTOR FOR SOFTWARE.
From the press release:
"Bell Micro has been awarded as our best OEM Distributor in North East Europe for 2007,” said Aurore Achour, VAD Sales Manager, IBM Software Group - North East Europe. “The company, whose core offering is Informix OEM, has managed to grow both new business and maintenance OEM revenue in 2007, leading sales for North East Europe. More importantly, Bell Micro has demonstrated great value with a high number of technical certifications and skills, plus 24x7 support for both end-users and ISVs. Not only have they highly performed in OEM sales but they have also more than demonstrated their skills as Value Added OEM distributor.”
Bell Micro develop applications based on Informix technology and use these to help ISV's develop business solutions with lower hardware costs. They are also the creators of the popular Informix City website.
Categories
: [ sales ]
Mar 18 2008, 01:36:00 PM EDT
Permalink
|
|
IDS Problems with Windows domains - status
There have been some major problems with IDS running in Windows domains, and on domain controllers lately, and now is a good time to summarize those problems and what to do about them. I should start with a confession - we were not doing enough testing of Windows domain installation scenarios on IDS which allowed problems to creep in. As part of this investigation several new QA tests were introduced to prevent problems like this recurring.
Below is a summary of known problems with their APAR numbers which you can reference when communicating with Tech Support. APAR numbers are the defect reference numbers that begin with ICxxxx. These are only generated when a customer case is attached to a problem. If a product defect was identified and fixed internally the reference I quote starts with "idsdb" and it will be equally meaningful to tech support.
All of these problems are fixed in the latest PID (Post Interim Drop) releases of the IDS 10 and 11 codelines: 10.00.TC8W1 and 11.10.TC2W2. If necessary call tech support to discuss the status of individual defects in more detail and whether it is appropriate to receive a patch.
IC55604 WINDOWS: IDS DOMAIN INSTALL IS NOT WORKING
If the Install in Domain option is checked and if the informix
user does not exist on the PDC/BDC, then an error message like
the following appears:
Installation Message
---------------------------
The user DOMAIN\informix does not exist. Please specify an
existing user name.
---------------------------
IC55601 WINDOWS: IDS CANNOT BE INSTALLED INTO A MICROSOFT WINDOWS DOMAIN
In a new installed and configured MS Windows domain of Windows
Server 2003 Enterprise
an IDS version 10 cannot be installed.
After the installation was started, a new user has to be
created during the installation process.
When the password for the new user 'informix' was inserted,
and the 'ok' button was used
an error message box like this appears:
---------------------------
Installation Message
---------------------------
The user DOMAINNAME\informix does not exist. Please specify an
existing user name.
---------------------------
OK
---------------------------
Normally the information for the new user 'informix' should be
collected.
Therefore this user cannot exist on this system at this time.
IC55169 WINDOWS DOMAIN USERS ARE ONLY ACCEPTED AS DOMAIN\USERNAME NOT USERNAME
You have a Windows 2000 domain style user, and a client
computer that belongs to that domain.
Starting from IDS 10.00.TC6 when authenticating domain users,
the only format accepted is
DOMAINNAME\username
while
username
always returns error -951.
(also reported as idsdb00153303 for IDS 11.10.xC2)
Defects which only occur in IDS 11.10
IC55490 WINDOWS: IDS 11 INSTALL ON DOMAIN CONTROLLER FAILS WITH NOROLESEP_CREATEINFXUSER 3
When IDS 11 is installed on a Windows Domain Controller on
which the informix user does not exist the installation fails
with the following error:
norolesep_createinfxuser 3 - Could not add the specified user
to the group.
Although the Informix user and the Informix-Admin group get
created, the Informix user is not added to the Informix-Admin
group and not granted the required privileges to start IDS as a
service.
This problem is specific to the IDS 11.
idsdb00134811 ONINIT FAILS WITH IXDBSA GROUP ERROR AFTER INSTALLING ON WINDOWS PRIMARY DOMAIN CONTROLLER
Categories
: [ install | windows ]
Mar 17 2008, 04:57:32 PM EDT
Permalink
|
|
DLL Hell Part 3 - DLL address clash problem in Windows Server 2003 SP2
It seems like every time Microsoft release a new service pack they introduce a DLL load address regression with it. For a little background on DLL load addresses and the problems they can cause for applications such as IDS refer to two earlier blog entries: part 1, part 2.
This time the culprit is the home networking configuration manager DLL hnetcfg.dll. In IDS installations with large shared memory configurations on Windows Server 2003 SP2 oncheck can fail with an error like this:
shmat: [22]: operating system error
MapViewOfFileEx: w32ec=487 at nt_shm.c:663
Unable to attach to shared memory.
Invalid argument
The default load address of hnetcfg.dll changed from 0x7F010000 in Windows Server 2003 SP1 (with KB913409 hotfix) back to an address space fragmenting 0x5F270000 in SP2.
To resolve the new problem, ask Microsoft for a fix of KB 948656.
ps. Thanks to Tim Steele in Australian Advanced Support for keeping track of these defects and chasing Microsoft.
Categories
: [ troubleshooting | windows ]
Mar 13 2008, 12:32:00 AM EDT
Permalink
|
|
Learn along with me
On second thoughts don't learn along with me. I have the attention span of gnat. Learn along with Kate Dawson, who recently joined the Data Server Education Team in Toronto and is documenting her experiences in a new blog called Learn along with me: Data Server training, certification, and education resources. In her current post she spotlights the free certifications available at upcoming data server conferences such as the IIUG conference in April, along with available self-study tutorials, certification guides, and self-assessment exams.
Welcome to IBM Kate.
Categories
: [ education ]
Mar 04 2008, 06:15:02 PM EST
Permalink
|
|
Webcast Tuesday - Securing Your Data
Informix security architect Jonathan Leffler is giving a webcast on Tuesday March 4th 2008 at 12PM Eastern (5PM UTC) entitled Securing Your Data: Choosing the Right Platform.
There's no doubt that information security, especially that of your database, is of ever increasing importance. Just pick up a newspaper or turn on the news and you'll hear about how yet another large company or organization has put thousands or millions of their constituents' private information at risk - and paid the penalties including loss of confidence.
Attendees will learn:
- The impact of the latest government regulations on database choices
- What even small companies need to know about database security
- How to be best prepared for audits or regulators
- How to protect your data - at rest and while 'on the wire'
The flyer for this webcast and registration details can be found here.
Draft Redbook: Security and Compliance Solutions for IDS
The draft of new IBM Redbooks publication Security and Compliance Solutions for IBM Informix Dynamic Server is now available at the IBM Redbooks web site: http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/redpieces/abstracts/sg247556.html. This Redbook provides an overview of security features in IDS and has the following contents:
Chapter 1. Technology overview
Chapter 2. Role separation
Chapter 3. Auditing
Chapter 4. Securing data with SQL
Chapter 5. Client-server communication
Chapter 6. Server-server communication
Chapter 7. Security issues with Backup and Restore
Appendix A. Audit event mnemonics
Appendix B. PAM API and macros
So take a look if you'd like to preview this book prior to final publication and perhaps provide feedback.
Categories
: [ security ]
Mar 03 2008, 01:19:16 PM EST
Permalink
|
|
Informix on Facebook
By the time I get around to joining a social network you can be sure it stopped being cool a long time ago. I created a MySpace profile when the only growing demographic was "sad bloggers with nothing better to do". Yesterday I finally joined FaceBook, so if you value your credibility get out now.
If you ignored this warning and still have have an account, you can become a fan of Informix Dynamic Server. I'm not sure about the concept being a fan of a product from a philosophical perspective, but am willing to make an exception for IDS, what with it being a Kult-Datenbank and all. The fan page has some interesting announcements and videos, though no photos as yet - I guess it's just a matter of time until someone adds the race car..
Feb 27 2008, 04:01:58 PM EST
Permalink
|
|
IBM Database Magazine Issue 1
The newly renamed IBM Database Magazine issue 1 is now published. This month there are a few Informix related articles:
There is also an article on IBM Data Studio: Dawn of a New Era in Enterprise Data Management by Cynthia Harvey, which includes some information on where Data Studio is heading:
More components will be integrated into the various life-cycle stages IBM Data Studio manages in the coming year. Some will be components of the free download, others will be paid features. Here's what features are likely to be added in the near future.
- Rational Data Architect will become a fully integrated modeling component of Data Studio and will remain a paid feature
- The Data Studio Administration Console, which provides monitoring capabilities, will be a component of the free offering and is currently available as a technology preview
- Paid features for performance management, change management, query tuning, problem determination using pureQuery, and a test data generator are all likely additions in 2008
Feb 26 2008, 01:06:39 AM EST
Permalink
|
|
Visual Studio Add-Ins standalone download
IBM Database Add-ins for Visual Studio 2005/2008 used to be available as part of the IBM Data Server Client package, which contains all the main IBM data server drivers and a fair amount of DB2 client programs. It was a big package to install for a developer who just wanted to do .NET programming in Visual Studio. Now you can download the stand alone VSAI package here.
When you get to the download screen you can choose to download the 33 Mb VSAI executable, or the release notes. I'll warn you now the release notes are disappointing and not worth the bother. The VSAI software though is great. Try the VSAI tag on this blog for a few pointers to articles.
The IBM Information Management and Visual Studio .NET is also a good starting point for .NET programming resources.
Categories
: [ VSAI ]
Feb 21 2008, 07:03:37 PM EST
Permalink
|
|
Cheetah 2 Open Beta - download it now
If you're wondering what's in the next release of Cheetah, wonder no more, IDS 11.50 has arrived - at least the Open Beta has. Yesterday in fact, but I was too busy eating the Open Beta launch ice-cream to write about it. OK the Mac OS version has been out for a few weeks but let's not worry about that.
I'm not allowed to talk specifically about the new features in Cheetah 2 yet, but to find out, sign up for the open beta and download IDS 11.5 “Cheetah 2" Open beta. Give it a try and remember to read the release notes.
Do let IBM know what you think about this release. Any problem you find helps to increase the quality of the GA version.
Categories
: [ cheetah2 ]
Feb 20 2008, 07:21:23 PM EST
Permalink
|
|
Farewell DB2 Magazine
Rumour has it that a new era is dawning over at DB2 Magazine. Due out in the next week or so, the next issue will be sporting a new name. Welcome the new, improved, and brand neutral IBM Database Magazine! Expect the same mix of well-written articles about IBM Data Server topcs.
This means of course I'll have to find another hobby horse to make snide and snarky comments about. Don't worry, it won't take long.
Feb 20 2008, 05:15:43 PM EST
Permalink
|
|
New blog - Informix Online
A new Informix related blog has surfaced on blogspot: informix online - written by Alex, AKA Andron.
The latest post (at the time of writing) is a nice introduction to BTSCANNER, including a description of leaf scans, range scans and ALICE (Adaptive Linear Index Cleaning).
If your Russian is a bit rusty you might want to read the
Google translated version.
Categories
: [ blogs ]
Feb 14 2008, 03:20:35 PM EST
Permalink
|
|
Becoming a Certified Informix Professional
The latest issue of the innacurately named DB2 Magazine has a very helpful article on the IDS 11 certification test. As anyone who has taken it knows, the IDS 11 exam is challenging - it is heavily focussed on IDS 11 features, and passing it requires preparation.
The new article, written by Eric Herber, entitled Becoming a Certified Informix Professional deconstructs the exam format and the weighting of questions. Looking at the exam in this way allows you to focus your study time and prepare intelligently.
On a positive note, perhaps a certification should be tough. What use is an easy certification to a potential employer or client? Anyone with IBM Test 918 to their name deserves to be called an IDS Expert.
As well as providing a collection of study references, Eric also mentions how to take the test for free (attend the IIUG conference). I'll add one other way to take it for free.. attend the Beaverton Tech Fair next week.
Categories
: [ certification ]
Feb 12 2008, 02:05:19 PM EST
Permalink
|
|
Informix Tech Fair - Beaverton, Feb 20 & 21 2008
The Informix tech fair in Beaverton, Oregon is just under 2 weeks away. This free tech fair has been expanded to two days, and has new highlights such as free IDS Certification testing and demos of some of the newest IDS features. Expect to see some in depth technical presentations, maybe a few giveaways, and much more.
Here is the flyer, at least my HTML rendition of it:
Free Informix Tech Fair - February 20 & 21 2008
Talks include the following topics:
- New 11.x Features
- SQL Admin API
- Performance Features
- Replication (MACH11)
- OpenAdmin Tool
- Client Application Development
- IBM Data Studio
- Understanding Fragmentation
- Security Features
- IDS Innovations
Speakers:
3 Informix IDS Architects, IBM Informix Engineers
IIUG President Stuart Litel and IIUG director Cindy Lichtenauer
Several Demos
Application Development, Administration, and Replication (MACH 11)
FREE IDS Certification Testing
Test Review session followed by a free certification testing for 10 or 11. ** $150.00 value, limited availability, RSVP quickly.
Free Consulting
Having a problem or question about Informix? Talk to an engineer and get free advice about your specific issue.
WHEN: February 20 & 21, 2008, 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
WHERE: IBM Beaverton
Willamette Building
15400 SW Koll Parkway
Beaverton, OR 97006
RSVP: miller3 _at_ us.ibm.com
PLEASE RSVP indicating if you desire to take a certification test (specify version) -- first come, first served.
When it comes to free Informix tech fairs in the Portland area, it doesn't get much better than this.
Categories
: [ techfair ]
Feb 07 2008, 01:26:28 PM EST
Permalink
|
|
|
|
Informix Application Development
