Stelo Blog

Unlocking the Power of IBM Db2 for i with Stelo: A Modern Approach to Data Integration

For enterprise businesses that rely on IBM systems for critical operations, IBM Db2 for i is the natural choice, if not the only choice, for an integrated relational database management system. However, in today’s data-driven landscape, organizations are increasingly tasked with integrating modern analytics to stay competitive. 

Analytics platforms rely on robust, dependable, timely data pipelines, and there are only a few replication tools that allow IBM users to take advantage of non-relational, next-gen data repositories like Databricks, Google BigQuery, and Snowflake.

Blog_Legacy DB2 Support

With over 25 years of expertise in IBM Db2 for i, Stelo is uniquely positioned to bridge this legacy system with modern analytics platforms, and help users harness the full potential of their data. Here, we explore the challenges these users face and how Stelo’s solutions enable seamless data integration.

Key Challenges for IBM Db2 for i Users

IBM Db2 for i users often encounter hurdles when trying to implement robust change data capture and deliver to disparate sources without interfering with ongoing mission critical operations.

Primary considerations include:

Latency Management

Network latency can significantly impact replication speed, causing delays or interruptions in synchronizing updates between systems. This latency is particularly problematic in environments where real-time data updates are critical for decision-making. To address this, Stelo leverages asynchronous replication for non-critical updates, minimizing delays while maintaining system efficiency. We’ve also implemented support for extremely low latency environments like memory write interfaces (MWI).

Data Transformation and Compatibility

IBM Db2 for i relies on a unique encoding format called EBCDIC that cloud databases like MySQL, PostgreSQL, and NoSQL don’t use. Through advanced data transformation, Stelo ensures compatibility during replication to complete successful integrations. This involves preventing performance issues when change capture and transaction processing, a core function, occur on the same operating system.

IBM Db2 for i files lack primary keys and other rules that accommodate efficient access to individual rows. Further, the methodology used for tracking changes (i.e., journals) doesn’t keep a record of the data before it was updated, so it’s hard to tell which updates changed important values, like keys. Since IBM Db2 for i supports multiple change logs, obtaining change data is made that much more complicated.

Real-Time vs. Batch Replication

Real-time replication, while ideal for time-sensitive data, can be resource-intensive. Conversely, batch replication may fall short of meeting dynamic business requirements. Stelo’s flexible approach allows businesses to adopt a replication strategy that best aligns with their operational needs. Striking the right balance between resources and requirements results in maximum performance. To best serve IBM Db2 for i, a data replication solution must consider both individual transactional characteristics and massive batch processing (i.e., thousands of tables).

In addition to these core considerations, there’s a need to minimize system access to increase security and avoid breaches.

A Bridge Between Legacy and Modern Systems

Stelo’s extensive experience in relational replication serves as a solid foundation for helping businesses leverage modern analytics platforms. Today, Stelo accommodate a diverse range of sources, ensuring compatibility with platforms like Databricks, BigQuery, and Snowflake. IBM Db2 for i represents a mixture of different data transfer jobs, and your replication solution must operate bi-directionally to stay relevant.

Here’s what IBM Db2 for i users can expect from Stelo:

IBM-Specific Features

Stelo experts know IBM’s platforms, and our solutions reflect that with support for versions as early as V5R4. Features include remote journal support, multi-member support, and support for Minimize Entry Data (MINENTDTA) and (*AFTER). Stelo leverages an efficient streaming model to minimize the overhead associated with collecting changes from journal receivers without impacting disk or CPU utilization.

Intuitive Interface

Stelo’s set-up process and interface are designed for simplicity, so your team can focus on core functions rather than allocating resources to understanding the ins and outs of new environments and destinations.

Pathway to Scale

Stelo is committed to supporting both immediate and long-term data integration needs. Modernizing data ecosystems doesn’t mean disrupting or scrapping reliable legacy operations.

Flexible Licensing Model

A single instance can support multiple sources and destinations without additional licensing. Stelo’s model ensures that businesses can integrate data without limitations on source size.

Stelo delivers low-latency, bi-directional data replication and streaming solutions for legacy systems. To get started on growing your IBM-based data ecosystem, schedule a demo or read more about Stelo + IBM Db2 for i.