Accessing remote data

SQL Anywhere remote data access gives you access to data in other data sources. You can use this feature to migrate data into a SQL Anywhere database. You can also use the feature to query data across databases.

With remote data access you can:

  • Use SQL Anywhere to move data from one location to another using insert-select.

  • Access data in relational databases such as Sybase, Oracle, and IBM DB2.

  • Access desktop data such as Excel spreadsheets, Microsoft Access databases, FoxPro, and text files.

  • Access any other data source that supports an ODBC interface.

  • Perform joins between local and remote data, although performance is much slower than if all the data is in a single SQL Anywhere database.

  • Perform joins between tables in separate SQL Anywhere databases. Performance limitations here are the same as with other remote data sources.

  • Use SQL Anywhere features on data sources that would normally not have that ability. For instance, you could use a Java function against data stored in Oracle, or perform a subquery on spreadsheets. SQL Anywhere compensates for features not supported by a remote data source by operating on the data after it is retrieved.

  • Access remote servers directly using passthrough mode.

  • Execute remote procedure calls to other servers.

SQL Anywhere allows access to the following external data sources:

Note

You cannot create a remove server for an UltraLite database running on Mac OS X.

For platform availability, see [external link] http://www.sybase.com/detail?id=1002288.


Remote table mappings
Server classes
Accessing remote data from PowerBuilder DataWindows
Working with remote servers
Using directory access servers
Working with external logins
Working with proxy tables
Join remote tables
Join tables from multiple local databases
Send native statements to remote servers
Using remote procedure calls (RPCs)
Transaction management and remote data
Internal operations
Troubleshooting remote data access