DB2 CDC is a type of database replication in which only data changes are captured and delivered to a target system, which may be one or more DB2 databases, a different type of database, or other targets such as a data warehouse. CDC (change data capture) is the preferred method of DB2 replication for many firms today because it is efficient and allows them to keep data on their target systems up-to-date while reducing the need for bulk load updating. DB2 CDC reduces the amount of data that needs to be processed at one time, lowering data warehousing costs and enabling real-time data integration and faster time-to-insight.
Some editions of DB2 database come with a built-in DB2 CDC tool or replication technology called SQL Replication. DB2 SQL Replication detects and captures changes made to a DB2 database or DB2 mainframe system, storing the captured changes in staging tables on the source system. The captured data changes are then applied to the appropriate tables on a target system using standard SQL insert, update, and delete statements. For non-DB2 sources, SQL Replication requires the use of triggers on the source system to capture changed data.
Because this type of DB2 CDC technology can be slow, difficult to use, and introduces unnecessary overhead on source systems, many firms choose to use third-party data replication tools instead. Many third-party replication products not only support DB2 CDC but provide broad support for a range of operating systems, databases, and server platforms.
Database-agnostic solutions may be easier to configure and maintain than vendor-provided tools and provide firms with a single strategic platform for many types of CDC transformations—allowing for standardization on a single architecture for various replication needs. If your firm uses different types of databases and platforms, you may want to consider a versatile vendor-independent solution in your next database replication tool comparison.
Leveraging our fast, non-invasive CDC technology and zero-footprint architecture, Attunity Replicate is a high-performance, low-impact data ingestion and replication solution for data-driven organizations and fast-paced enterprise environments. Our tool features: