Continuent uni/cluster to support native PostgreSQL APIs

Continuent delivers a GA version of uni/cluster Connector for PostgreSQL.

The uni/cluster Connector is a key part of the Continuent vision of
transparent database clustering using off-the-shelf databases and commodity
hardware.  The Connector allows applications that use native database APIs
to connect directly to Continuent uni/cluster without changing libraries or
making code alterations. 

This makes database clustering deployments simpler and faster -- customers
can focus on deploying the cluster and just switch client connections when
they are ready to move.   

Another great feature of the Connector is that standard database clients
such as Œpsql¹ can work directly with the cluster.  So users preserve not
only current client applications but also can continue to use familiar
administrative tools as well. 

Finally, the uni/cluster Connector is *fast* and consumes few system
resources.  It minimizes resource impact of deploying Continuent uni/cluster
in new environments.  

This version of uni/cluster Connector supports all API calls except for use
of prepared statements.  We are working on these now and expect to provide
support in the next release.  We are also working on some exciting new
Connector features that customers will find useful for building highly
scalable database clusters.  We invite you to try the Connector and stay
tuned for more developments!

Download Continuent uni/cluster for PostgreSQL and uni/cluster Connector for
free evaluation at:
http://www.continuent.com/software

Cheers, Robert

Robert Hodges, CTO, Continuent, Inc.
Email:  robert(dot)hodges(at)continuent(dot)com
Mobile:  +1-510-501-3728  Skype:  hodgesrm

Summary of uni/cluster Connector benefits:
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* Complete single system image
* Hides cluster structure from clients
* 100% transparent DB interface
* Applications talking to a local DB proxy
* No changes to DB connectivity libraries or any other libraries
* All interfaces supported (native client APIs, PHP, Perl, Java, C...)
* Transparent failover

Summary of uni/cluster for PostgreSQL benefits:
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* Instantaneous failover *
All database servers are fully up to date and all have the correct data, all
the time. No more long failover times and or inconsistent data. If a
database server fails, it is automatically removed from the cluster, all
users will be reconnected to another database server, and any in-flight
transactions are automatically restated. Continuent accomplishes this
real-time and without manual intervention.

* Fully transparent failover for all transactions *
Even transactions that were in-flight during a failure event. This is
automatic continuity at the transaction level. No lost transactions and
users left looking at error messages or needing to restart their
transactions. This helps you avoid lost business due to database outages,
which translates to business continuity. Your application no longer has to
contain special error processing for this condition. All data will be left
in a correct and consistent state. Continuent provides a true-self healing
capability from the applications¹ view of the database tier.

* Full scale-out capabilities *
Scale your database vertically by adding low cost commodity hardware, scale
horizontally by data partitioning. In this way, scalability is provided both
for queries that are reading the data and queries that create or update
data. Flexible load balancing capabilities insure the effective use of your
hardware investment.