FAQ's about DataDirect Support for 64bit Platforms

Q: How does DataDirect Technologies support 64-Bit Platforms?

Q: How Are DataDirect Connect for ODBC and DataDirect Connect64 for ODBC Different?

Q: How Do I Know Whether to Use DataDirect Connect for ODBC or DataDirect Connect64 for ODBC?

Q: Is DataDirect Connect64 for ODBC Faster Than DataDirect Connect for ODBC?

Q: What Are the Advantages of Using 64-bit Technology Over 32-bit?

Q: Will DataDirect Technologies Continue to Support DataDirect Connect for ODBC?

Q: How Can I Upgrade to DataDirect Connect64 for ODBC?

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Q: How does DataDirect Technologies support 64-Bit Platforms?

A: DataDirect Technologies has a long history of supporting 64-bit platforms, having supplied Hewlett-Packard with ODBC drivers for their Tru64 platform since 1996. In early summer of 2003, DataDirect added HP-UX IPF to its suite of 64-bit products with the creation of DataDirect Connect64 for ODBC. In early fall of 2003, Windows, AIX, and Solaris support was added to DataDirect Connect64 for ODBC. Since then additional platforms such as Linux and processor architectures such as AMD / Intel x64 have been added to make DataDirect's Connect64 for ODBC product the most complete suite of 64-bit drivers available anywhere.

DataDirect Technologies SequeLink product line also supports 64-bit platforms, providing SequeLink ODBC clients for 64-bit versions of Solaris and AIX as well as Tru64. In addition, SequeLink Server for Oracle runs on the Tru64 platform.

Q: How Are DataDirect Connect for ODBC and DataDirect Connect64 for ODBC Different?

A: DataDirect Connect for ODBC is comprised of 32-bit binaries. It is linked with specific 32-bit operating system libraries and supports only 32-bit addressing. DataDirect Connect for ODBC will run on both 32-bit and 64-bit operating systems but will only work with 32-bit applications. DataDirect Connect64 for ODBC was built on the DataDirect Connect for ODBC code base for exclusive use on 64-bit platforms, and is comprised of 64-bit binaries. It is linked with specific 64-bit operating system libraries and supports only 64-bit addressing. DataDirect Connect64 for ODBC will only run with 64-bit applications on 64-bit operating systems.

Q: How Do I Know Whether to Use DataDirect Connect for ODBC or DataDirect Connect64 for ODBC?

A: If your application was built with 32-bit system libraries, you must use DataDirect Connect for ODBC. If your application was built with 64-bit system libraries, you must use DataDirect Connect64 for ODBC.

It is important to remember that the only factor to consider in this decision is the build system of the application that will be using the ODBC driver. It does not matter if the database to which you are connecting is 32-bit or 64-bit enabled.

Q: Is DataDirect Connect64 for ODBC Faster Than DataDirect Connect for ODBC?

A: DataDirect Technologies is always focused on performance. It is difficult to compare performance between these two products because they run in different environments. DataDirect Technologies is committed to delivering the same quality of performance with each of its products in similarly defined environments. Any changes for performance made to one product will be introduced into the other whenever possible.

Q: What Are the Advantages of Using 64-bit Technology Over 32-bit?

A: Increasingly, software companies are announcing support for 64-bit applications. Many hardware vendors already have 64-bit solutions in place. The white paper Why Choose 64-Bit Technology as Your Server Platform provides an overview of the reasons for switching to 64-bit computing, and provides examples of companies who have made the switch for all or part of their computing needs.

Q: Will DataDirect Technologies Continue to Support DataDirect Connect for ODBC?

A: DataDirect Connect for ODBC and DataDirect Connect64 for ODBC are two separate product lines. The introduction of DataDirect Connect64 for ODBC does not alter plans for the continued support of DataDirect Connect for ODBC. Both products will be supported going forward.

Q: How Can I Upgrade to DataDirect Connect64 for ODBC?

A: DataDirect Connect64 for ODBC is a separate product from DataDirect Connect for ODBC. There is no generic "upgrade" path for this. You can download an evaluation copy of DataDirect Connect64 for ODBC here.

For more details, please contact your DataDirect Technologies sales representative or request information here.