DataDirect's ADO.NET Data Provider for SQL Server
DataDirect Connect for ADO.NET offers Microsoft SQL Server database developers and application architects a feature-rich, reliable and secure data connectivity solution that is simple to implement and easy to manage, even when applications require connectivity across multiple versions or platforms.
DataDirect's ADO.NET data provider supports both SQL Server 2000 and SQL Server 2005, using an architecture based on 100% managed code. As a 100% managed code provider, SQL Server client libraries are not required, eliminating the deployment, maintenance and performance costs associated with the client, and allowing all of the database processing to occur within the CLR (Common Language Runtime). These features significantly improve performance, reliability and application security.
DataDirect Connect for ADO.NET has been thoroughly proven in data transaction intensive environments in which high-performance, stability and security are mission-critical requirements.
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To learn more about DataDirect's ADO.NET data provider for SQL Server, review the materials below and follow the related links for deeper technical information.
DataDirect Connect for ADO.NET / SQL Server Topics:
- Why Choose DataDirect ADO.NET Data Providers for SQL Server?
- Features for SQL Server
- Further technical reading
- Superior Performance and Scalability
- SQL Server Database Versions Supported
- Windows Client Platforms Supported
Why Choose DataDirect ADO.NET Data Providers for SQL Server?
DataDirect Connect for ADO.NET is a 100% managed code provider for SQL Server. Because the DataDirect ADO.NET data provider is 100% managed code, your .NET assemblies run inside the .NET CLR (Common Language Runtime), allowing your application to take advantage of the numerous built-in services that enhance performance.
Fully supports all SQL Server database versions from a single provider
This simplifies the development and deployment steps necessary to support multiple SQL Server versions. DataDirect's approach eliminates the need to test and certify each application deployed on a machine, each time the native client is updated.
Supports Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0, 3.0, and 3.5 / ADO.NET 2.0
The DataDirect SQL Server data provider is certified for use with .NET Framework versions 2.0, 3.0 and 3.5 (32-bit and 64-bit) and conforms to the ADO.NET 2.0 specification. ADO.NET 2.0 provides support for a Common Programming Model that makes it easy to write interoperable code for various target databases.
Visual Studio 2008 Developer Tools
Only DataDirect offers visual development aids that integrate seamlessly into the Visual Studio 2008 environment. These tools provide a consistent level of functionality across the different database types and graphical dialogs that guide the developer in the connection process.
ClickOnce Deployment
The DataDirect provider can be distributed along with the application via the .NET "ClickOnce" deployment capability. (Formerly referred to as "No-Touch Deployment" in the .NET 1.x Framework.)
Sybase providers require manual deployment to each server or workstation hosting the application.
Quality and Reliability
DataDirect's .NET testing infrastructure [the ADO.NET Verification Suite (ADOVS)] is designed to ensure quality and reliability, verify conformance using the Microsoft LTM (Local Test Manager), and rigorously test against all supported SQL Server database versions. This comprehensive testing ensures that you can develop the most robust SQL Server .NET application possible within your environment.
Support for the Microsoft Enterprise Library Data Access Application Block (DAAB)
Simplifies application development by wrapping common data access tasks into portable code that supports multiple applications and databases. DAAB classes provide access to the most frequently used features in ADO.NET greatly improving developer productivity. DAAB support requires Release 3.1, SP1.
Enhanced support for Meta-data Schema Options
In order to handle meta-data queries that result in a large amount of information, DataDirect now provides tunable and fine-grained control of what meta-data is returned to the ADO.NET provider to the application. The developer can configure whether specific collections (e.g., Descriptions, Synonyms, etc.) are returned as the result of a DBCommand.GetSchema() method call. This capability requires Release 3.1, SP 1.
Improved Integration with Visual Studio 2005
DataDirect has updated its support for Visual Studio 2005, including integration of the DataDirect Performance Tuning Wizards, DBA tools including Table and View Wizards, as well as developer aids with standard Templates and Toolkits. This capability requires Release 3.1, SP 1.
Features for SQL Server
DataDirect Connect for ADO.NET provides an extensive technical feature set for SQL Server 2000 and SQL Server 2005 environments. In mixed database environments where SQL Server is used alongside Oracle, Sybase and / or DB2, the interoperability features provided by DataDirect make it easier to develop cross-database code.
Additional Features for SQL Server
- Managed code assemblies – DataDirect provides the ability to call procedures that are defined as .NET Managed Code Assemblies in the same fashion that stored procedures are invoked. This allows developers to leverage the advantages of the 100% managed run-time.
- Triggers on DDL Events – DataDirect now supports the ability to associate a trigger with Data Definition Language (DDL) statements such as CREATE TABLE.
- Support for Snapshot transaction isolation level – Support for new transaction isolation levels introduced in the SQL Server 2005 release: Read Committed with Snapshots and Snapshot Isolation Level. These new transaction isolation levels provide optimistic locking capabilities, allowing greater application transaction control.
For further technical reading on specific topics, review the following links:
DataDirect Connect for ADO.NET enables applications to access multiple databases with fewer lines of code and less maintenance, ensuring consistent functionality and performance, regardless of the database.
It includes interoperability features such as a common code base across all providers; standard escape syntax for stored procedures, outer joins, scalar functions, and date, time and timestamps. Additional functionality includes ANSI standard parameter markers, standardized error code mapping and SQL leveling. DataDirect's ADO.NET data provider supports provider-neutral error objects, standardized error code mappings and common ways to specify arrays of parameters for use.
By contrast, Microsoft's data provider is specific to SQL Server, which means that interoperability is not provided across other database versions such as Oracle, DB2 and Sybase.
ClickOnce Deployment is a feature of the .NET Framework that lets you package Windows Forms applications so they can be distributed with a minimum of work. Like browser-based application deployment, ClickOnce Deployment lets clients download the assemblies they need from a remote Web server.
Only 100% managed code solutions like DataDirect Connect for ADO.NET, can be deployed along with the application code.
Connection pooling in ADO.NET is not provided by the core components of the .NET Framework. It must be implemented in the .NET data provider itself. All DataDirect .NET data providers provide the same connection pooling functionality.
By thoughtfully handling connection management before implementation of the ADO.NET provider, improved application performance and maintainability can be substantially improved.
Connection Failover and Client Load Balancing
It is important to ensure that the data on which your critical .NET application depends is always available. "Connection failover" and "connection retry" are two useful features that are available in the DataDirect Connect for ADO.NET data provider.
Connection failover allows an application to connect to an alternate (or backup) database server if the primary database server is unavailable.
Connection retry defines the number of times that the data provider attempts to connect to the primary (and, if configured, alternate or back up) database servers after the first unsuccessful connection attempt. Connection retry can be an important strategy for seamless system recovery.
If your .NET application needs to connect to more than one database, you need to use distributed transactions (application code that relies on multiple data sources). The DataDirect for ADO.NET data provider supports distributed transactions using the Microsoft Distributed Transaction Coordinator (MS DTC).
Operating System (OS) Authentication (aka Single Sign-On/Kerberos)
OS authentication is a trusted third-party authentication service that verifies user identities. The latest release of DataDirect Connect for ADO.NET data providers support NTLM, which delivers a session security mechanism that provides for message confidentiality (encryption) and integrity (signing). Kerberos is a variety of NTLM.
This feature can be used to integrate the authentication of users for an application with the authentication mechanisms provided by the environment the application runs in. Organizations can create a Single Sign-On environment that bolsters security, eliminates the need for users to log in separately for each application, and reduces the costs associated with managing user accounts. DataDirect's OS authentication features allow the ADO.NET SQL Server data provider to integrate seamlessly into that environment.
The following authentication features are supported:
- Delegated credentials – Provides the ability for the application to act on behalf of the user. For web-based applications, the application or web server can use the delegated credential that represents the user vs. the credential that represents the server administrator. This bolsters security because the application can base permissions on the actual end-user. In addition, the application audit trail can associate usage with the end-user vs. a generic system administrator ID.
- Re-authentication – DataDirect provides the ability to re-associate a pooled connection with a different authenticated user. Applications that use connection pooling can use this feature to more efficiently re-use connections while minimizing the number of connections required in the pool.
- Comprehensive KDC (Kerberos Key Distribution Center) support – Includes support for both Activity Directory and MIT.
Support for Secure Socket Layer (SSL) Encryption – SSL is an industry-standard protocol for sending encrypted data over database connections. SSL secures the integrity of your DB2 data by encrypting information and providing client/server authentication. DataDirect Connect for ADO.NET SQL Server data providers support SSL to protect data that is transmitted between the database and the application, data that could otherwise be compromised.
Superior Performance and Scalability
DataDirect's ADO.NET data providers are proven in production scenarios and benchmark tests to offer excellent performance and scalability.
DataDirect .NET providers include a simple-to-use wizard that automatically generates the connection properties needed to configure your ADO.NET data provider for optimal performance.
The Performance Tuning Wizard covers all application characteristics that affect performance, including database type, select statement characteristics, stored procedures usage, transaction characteristics, scrollable result sets, etc.
Performance Tuning and Testing
Our experienced staff employs a wide variety of tests designed to exercise the data provider, not the database, so provider execution is isolated and measured. Tests performed include every area of functionality in which high performance is expected, including; inserts, updates, deletes, and selects. Other tests include very high volume and batch transactions, as well as data type conversion and parameter testing.
Scalability Testing
To test for scalability, we start with one thread and increase the thread count until either the client-side hardware or the server-side hardware reaches saturation. We are always striving to improve over our previous product release, and we look for factors such as good response time, efficient use of network traffic, disk I/O usage and efficient use of memory.
SQL Server Versions Supported
A single DataDirect SQL Server ADO.NET data provider fully supports all of the following SQL Server database versions:
- SQL Server 2000
- SQL Server 2000 Enterprise Edition (64 bit)
- SQL Server 2000 Desktop Engine (MSDE 2000)
- SQL Server 2000 (including service packs 1, 2, 3, 3a)
- SQL Server 2005
In addition, DataDirect's Connectfor ADO.NET product for SQL Server supports the 1.x version of the Microsoft .NET Framework for the SQL Server versions listed above, as well as SQL Server 7.0
Windows Client Platforms Supported
DataDirect Connect for .NET, Release 2.2 (supports .NET 1.x Framework): Windows 98/ME/NT/2000/XP/2003 for Intel
DataDirect Connect for ADO.NET, Release 3.1 (supports .NET 2.0 / 3.0 Framework and 64-bit): Windows 2000/XP/2003/Vista
