Supported combinations of clients, drivers and server levels

Various versions of supported IBM® data server clients and drivers can connect to different versions of Db2® server. This includes support for earlier versions and support for accessing Db2 databases on midrange and mainframe servers.

Combinations of Db2 12.1, 11.5, and 11.1

Generally, Db2 12.1, 11.5, and 11.1 clients can access a remote Db2 12.1 server. However, if different versions of a client and a Db2 server are located on the same system, local client-to-server connections using Interprocess Communication (IPC) are not supported. Instead, you can establish a connection as a remote connection (called a loopback connection) by using TCP/IP.

The following clients and drivers can access a Db2 12.1, 11.5, and 11.1 server:

IBM Data Server Client 12.1.
IBM Data Server Runtime Client 12.1.
IBM Data Server Driver Package 12.1.
IBM Data Server Driver for ODBC and CLI 12.1.

However, when a later-level client accesses an earlier-level server, the functionality of the later level of the client is not available to the server. For example, IBM Data Server Driver Package 12.1 can access a Db2 11.1 server. However, 12.1 functionality is not available to the server.

Combinations of Db2 12.1 and Db2 products on midrange and mainframe platforms

Db2 12.1 clients can connect to the following midrange and mainframe platforms:

Db2 for z/OS® and OS/390® Version 11 or later.
Db2 for IBM i V7R5 or later.
Db2 for VM and VSE Version 7.