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From: betsy@alf.sybase.com (Betsy Burton)
Newsgroups: comp.databases
Subject: Re: open server/client architectures
Message-ID: <8016@sybase.sybase.com>
Date: 18 Jan 90 01:37:10 GMT
References: <1988@lamont.ldgo.columbia.edu> <2339@ncr-sd.SanDiego.NCR.COM> <4467@rtech.rtech.com>
Sender: news@Sybase.COM
Reply-To: betsy@alf.UUCP (Betsy Burton)
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Organization: Sybase, Inc.
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	In article >From: cmorris@ws2s.rtech.COM (Colin Morris)
	Subject: Re: open server/client architectures
	Summary: RPC versus Connection Based
	Date: 12 Jan 90 18:36:52 GMT
	Organization: Ingres Corporation, Alameda CA 94501
	> Colin Morris writes:

	In article <2339@ncr-sd.SanDiego.NCR.COM>
	randys@otl.SanDiego.NCR.COM (Randy Smerik) writes:  >In article
	<1988@lamont.ldgo.columbia.edu> paulf@lamont.ldgo.columbia.edu
	>> Paul Friberg  writes:  
	
	>>> Does anyone have a feeling for where lies a standard in terms
	>>> of interfaces to SQL servers?  I understand that Sybase is
	>>> trying to set a standard with OSF by calling its db_library()
	>>> an Open Client

	> I believe OSF has postponed (cancelled?) a request for
	> technology for database interconnect technology. The reasons
	> given were to do with funding and potential conflict with the
	> SQL Access Group (see below).

	> There are two efforts underway.  One concentrates on the
	> protocol across the wire:  ISO OSI-RDA.  The other is
	> dedicated to advancing ISO OSI-RDA as well as supplying the
	> needed application interfaces: the SQL Access Group.

There is currently one official remote database interface standards
effort underway. It is the ISO OSI-Remote Database Access (RDA) work.
The RDA committee is currently working on a draft specification in an
effort to define service and protocol. Sybase is an active member of
the ANSI RDA committee, along with a number other software vendors and
end-users.  The ANSI RDA committee is an open organization, with each
member having equal vote, which votes to determine the U.S. position
for the ISO RDA meetings.  Sybase is committed to the standards
organizations and is committed to enhancing our products as the RDA
standard becomes defined.

The SQL Access Group (SAG) is not a standards organization, but rather
a consortium. This means that they develop a technology which they
hope the industry will accept as an industry standard. The work of
the SQL Access Group is also based on the draft RDA specifications. 
Within the SQL Access Group only producers have a vote. To be a
producer, a company must dedicate 2 developers to the development
effort.  The SQL Access is working on providing interoperability to SQL
relational database only.  

	> My understanding is that the Sybase db_library is an RPC
	> mechanism and is not connection oriented.  ISO RDA is
	> connection oriented and based upon the ISO Remote Operations
	> mechanism.  

Your comment that Open Client (formerly called DB-Library) is
connectionless is incorrect. The SYBASE Client/Server Interfaces
(C/SI) (which includes Open Client, Open Server) and the SYBASE SQL
Server products are connection oriented. C/SI is based on the draft ISO
RDA standard.  The purpose of the Sybase Client/Server Interface is to
integrate previously incompatible data, applications and services.
C/SI also includes an RPC facility as an added feature. By providing
both an API and an RPC mechanism, C/SI provides developers and end-users
with the ability to interoperate with:

	- other SQL relational databases 
	- non-SQL, non-relational databases
	- applications and services.

Currently, over 60 software vendors have implemented interfaces to
C/SI. 

	> Was this why Sybase chose not to participate in the SQL
	> Access Group? Anybody from Sybase care to correct and/or 
	> comment?

Sybase agrees with the objectives of the SQL Access Group and views
database interoperability as a critical need in the industry. However,
Sybase believes that the objective of database interoperability is best
met through established standards bodies. They have a broader base of
contributors and an independent status. Because of this, Sybase has
decided not to participate in the SQL Access consortium. Sybase is
focusing involvement in database interoperability on submitting
technology to RDA and participating in OSF efforts.

Betsy Burton
Sybase Connectivity Product Manager