The Informix Zone - redbook

A closer look at the "Security and Compliance Solutions for IBM Informix Dynamic Server" RedBook

Spokey — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 17:55:52 +0200

I mentioned this RedBook in one of my earlier posts and wanted to have a closer look at it.

I remember that when I looked at the contents originally, I was surprised to see no mention of physical and only a limited discussion of file system security. The only discussion relating to file system security was around backups.

In my opinion, another omission was that there is no suggestion made of what sort of things you should audit with the onaudit program.

Some of the options are presented to the reader without any real emphasis as to which is a better option. For example, there is no mention that regular DES encryption (as opposed to Triple-DES or DES3) is not a very good option. Although it is mentioned that Electronic Cook Book (ECB) cipher mode is easy to crack, it's also not very well highlighted and didn't jump out at me. (It will leap out at you if you scan the PDF for the string "ecb", but if you were reading the article normally, it certainly wouldn't, as it's in a section called "Sample Settings". :-) )

IBM RedPaper: IBM Tivoli Monitoring for Databases: Informix

Spokey — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 15:40:15 +0200

IBM has released a RedPaper, which is an overview of IBM Tivoli Monitoring for Databases: Informix

Performance Tuning Redbook

Spokey — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 15:38:41 +0200

IBM has a Redbook out called Database Performance Tuning on AIX, which is pretty database agnostic and covers all sorts of different databases, although oddly enough, not SQLServer. :-)

IBM RedBook: Developing PHP Applications for IBM Data Servers

Spokey — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 15:36:28 +0200

IBM has a RedBook out called Developing PHP Applications for IBM Data Servers which has a chapter on PHP applications with Informix.

More later!

IBM RedBook: Advanced Functionality for Modern Business

Spokey — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 09:39:20 +0200

IBM has a RedBook out, called Advanced Functionality for Modern Business, on the functions that make IDS 11 fit modern business requirements better, including chapters on:

Fast implementation
Configuration
Enhancements in high availability
Data privacy
Easy administration and the administrative API
SQL query drill-down
Functional extensions to IDS
Development tools, interfaces, and SOA integration

I wish people made more use of functional extensions to IDS: it's not difficult and it adds immense power to your s

Customising Informix for your environment

Spokey — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 01:40:22 +0200

IBM has a RedBook out which covers configuration of Informix, called Customising Informix for your Environment. Chapters include:

Optimizing IDS for your environment
Enterprise data availability
The administration free zone
Easing into extensibility
Taking advantage of database events

I will be reviewing this RedBook in more detail shortly.

Informix MACH11 RedBook

Spokey — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 15:30:20 +0200

IBM has recently released a new RedBook, called "Informix Dynamic Server 11: Extending Availability and Replication"

It looks to be a comprehensive review, covering:

Final Version: IBM Redbook - Customizing IDS for your Environment

eherber — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 09:48:04 +0200

Final Version: IBM Redbook - Customizing IDS for your Environment

Customizing IDS for your Environment

From the table of contents:

Chapter 1. IDS and your business
Chapter 2. Optimizing IDS for your environment
Chapter 3. Enterprise data availability
Chapter 4. Robust administration
Chapter 5. The administration free zone

Draft Version: IBM Redbook - IDS 11.5: Extending Availability and Replication

eherber — Wed, 07 May 2008 13:04:28 +0200

Draft Version: IBM Redbook - IDS 11.5: Extending Availability and Replication

IDS 11.5: Extending Availability and Replication

The new draft is based on the already published Redbook IDS 11: Extending Availability and Replication which covered IDS 11. The following chapters contain updated and additional information regarding IDS 11.5:

Chapter 7 - Updatable Secondary servers

Draft Version: IBM Redbook - Customizing IDS for your Environment

eherber — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 20:28:01 +0200

Draft Version: IBM Redbook - Customizing IDS for your Environment

Customizing IDS for your Environment

From the table of contents:

Chapter 1. IDS and your business
Chapter 2. Optimizing IDS for your environment
Chapter 3. Enterprise data availability
Chapter 4. Robust administration
Chapter 5. The administration free zone