RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC -- July 6, 1999 -- Cisco Systems, Inc., today announced the availability of Cisco Transaction Connection (CTRC), which provides TCP/IP end-users and servers with fast, reliable, and secure access to IBM DB2 databases using the Systems Network Architecture (SNA) protocol. CTRC, a cost-effective software and router solution based on Cisco IOS. software, replaces expensive and hard to manage UNIX and NT gateways for database access.
"Gaining fast, reliable access to data center resources is a key requirement for enterprises implementing intranet and Internet e-commerce strategies," said Lori Bush, product line manager for Cisco's InterWorks Business Division. "Cisco Transaction Connection provides an intelligent network service for connecting the desktop to important IBM database resources."
Jointly developed with StarQuest Software, CTRC uses the Distributed Relational Database Architecture (DRDA) protocol to access remote databases using a standard messaging format over TCP/IP or SNA. Previously, either gateway systems or proprietary host software were required to access IBM DB2. CTRC converts TCP/IP data requests into SNA messages and forwards them to the host.
Cisco is the first vendor to provide this functionality on a router using industry standards. CTRC leverages the intelligence of Cisco IOS software for reliability, high performance, and fault tolerance. It also eliminates the added cost of implementing and managing a number of standalone servers.
CTRC supports enterprise subsystems for e-commerce, dynamic Web content, custom applications, decision support systems, data mining, and business intelligence.
Bundled Middleware from StarQuest Software
When purchasing CTRC, enterprises receive a site license for the StarSQL Enterprise Edition (EE) driver from StarQuest Software available at no additional charge. StarSQL provides fast, seamless transfer of data from host resources into desktop and UNIX server-based applications. End-users can easily and transparently access DB2 from Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) supported desktop applications such as Microsoft Excel, Visual Studio, DSS Server, Crystal Reports or through tailored applications. StarSQL EE may be downloaded from StarQuest's Web site at http://www.starquest.com."CTRC combines Cisco's high-performance, intelligent routing and StarQuest's leading technology to meet business needs," said Paul Rampel, president and CEO of StarQuest Software. "This solution leverages an enterprise's investment in technology and provides reliable access to the data center."