A server with server class direct_connect is an Open Server-based application that conforms to the direct_connect interface specification. Server class access_server is synonymous with server class direct_connect. It is used for compatibility.
Open Server-based applications using server class direct_connect are the preferred means of accessing all external, non-Sybase data sources.
Figure 2-1 illustrates how Adaptive Server with Component Integration Services enabled interacts with clients and Open Server-based applications. The data sources are not limited to those in this diagram:
Figure 2-1: Adaptive Server with Component Integration Services interacting with clients and other servers