Downloading IBM Db2 Clients and Drivers

This page breaks down how to download and install the appropriate IBM Db2 client or driver to enable application connectivity and development across supported platforms and interfaces.

About

To enable connectivity and application development with IBM Db2® Warehouse you must install the appropriate client or driver package. IBM offers a range of client tools to support various programming interfaces, operating systems, and deployment scenarios. The following table gives an overview of available packages:

Package Name Description Use Case

IBM Data Server Driver Package (DS Driver)

A lightweight, deployment ready driver that includes support for ODBC, CLI, JDBC, and .NET.

It is ideal for embedding in custom applications or deploying in containerized environments

IBM Data Server Runtime Client

This includes the DS Driver along with more runtime libraries and utilities.

It is suitable for most client-side operations where a full client is not required

IBM Data Server Client

A comprehensive client that includes GUI tools (such as Db2 Command Line Processor Plus), command-line utilities, and development libraries

It is recommended for developers and administrators who need full-featured tools

Supported Interfaces

All packages support one or more of the following interfaces:

  • ODBC and CLI– For applications that use standard database connectivity APIs.
  • JDBC and SQLJ– For Java-based applications and middleware.
  • .NET– For applications developed using Microsoft technologies

Supported Platforms

Client packages are available for a wide range of operating systems.

  • Windows(32-bit and 64-bit)
  • Linux(x86-64, PPC64LE, zSeries)
  • AIX(64 bit)
  • macOS(limited support for JDBC)

Each package includes platform-specific binaries and installation instructions.

How to Download

  1. Visit the IBM Fix Central download page for Db2 clients and drivers.
  2. Select your desired Db2 version and operating system.
  3. Choose the appropriate client package based on your application requirements.
  4. Download the installation archive and follow the included instructions.

Additional Notes

  1. Fix Central provides access to the latest fix packs and cumulative updates for each client package.
  2. Each download includes release notes, system requirements, and installation documentation.
  3. You can use these packages to install new clients or update existing installations.

For detailed instructions, compatibility information, and troubleshooting tips, refer to the IBM Support page for Db2 clients and drivers.

Installing

Install the driver package for your operating system:

Configuring

To connect local applications or client tools to your Db2 database, configure your environment for your Db2 database.