1. What is the latest OpenEdge version that supports the DataServer for ODBC?
The OE DataServer for ODBC is no longer available in version 11.7 and has been retired as of 1 January 2016.
- OpenEdge 11.6 is the last OpenEdge version with the DataServer for ODBC engine. As of March 2019 and according to the the Product LifeCycle Guide, OpenEdge 11.6.x is now retired. This is the last release of the DataServer for ODBC supported by Progress.
- The OpenEdge 11.7 client is the latest supported client compatible with OE 11.6 DataServer for ODBC. Effectively after OpenEdge 11.7 there will not be any way to connect OpenEdge to any of the foreign databases supported by the DataServer for ODBC.
Additionally, clients up until the final supported release OpenEdge 11.6, will be able to connect to previous OpenEdge DataServer for ODBCs back to the oldest supported DataServer for ODBC release, 10.2B08. Any DataServer releases previous to OpenEdge 10.2B08 will not be supported.
At the time of writing (2019), it will be a number of years before OpenEdge 11.7, the last OpenEdge 11 version, moves to the
Retired product lifestyle status. Until OpenEdge 11.7 does retire, any issues in the 11.7 DataServer for ODBC client will be addressed.
Should issues emerges with the OpenEdge 11.6 DataServer for ODBC, Progress will provide best-effort support by first attempting to find a solution for the OpenEdge 11.7 client, including possible workarounds to avoid the issue.
For the long term, please discuss migration paths with your Progress Account Manager.
2. How to migrate ODBC DataServer clients to OpenEdge 11.7 or OpenEdge 12.0
The compatibility of newer clients connecting client/server to older versions of the OpenEdge DataServer for ODBC will be limited to OpenEdge 11.x releases.
- OpenEdge 12 is not backward compatible.
- OpenEdge 11.7 client is the last client supported with backward-compatible connection capability. This means you need to connect in client-server mode from your OpenEdge 11.7 clients to the OpenEdge 11.6 DataServer for ODBC. Please refer to the remote DataServer sections in the "OpenEdge Data Management: DataServer for ODBC" Documentation.
- Given that the DataServer for ODBC is retired in OpenEdge 11.6 and OpenEdge 11.7 is the last expected minor release of the 11.x product family, OpenEdge 11.7 clients will only be supported in client/server mode to earlier DataServer for ODBCs that are still under support.
- It is important from a security standpoint, that the client and drivers are migrated to OpenEdge 11.5.1 or above.
3. Which product should we use to make the ODBC connection between OpenEdge and foreign databases supported by the DataServer for ODBC?
- Which product should we use to make the ODBC connection between OpenEdge and the Oracle database?
- Which product should we use to make the ODBC connection between OpenEdge and Microsoft SQL Server database?
Migrate to the OpenEdge DataServer for Oracle for connectivity to Oracle database, which is maintained and available in all latest releases.
Migrate to the OpenEdge DataServer for MS-SQL to connect your OpenEdge client application to the Microsoft SQL Server database, which is maintained and available in all latest releases.
4. Which licenses are required to access the 11.6 DataServer for ODBC from an OpenEdge 11.7 client?
The OpenEdge 11.7 client licenses required are similar to the ones required for OpenEdge 11.6 which can be further discussed with your Progress Account Manager.
Long-term implications:
OpenEdge 11.7 is going to be around for a number of years yet, but migration to the DataServer for Oracle / MS-SQL is paramount considering:
- OpenEdge 11.7 clients being the last supported clients, with no support in OpenEdge 12.
- The ODBC DataServer is no longer an available OpenEdge product license.
