IBM Infosphere Data Replication (CDC) for IBM i does not support XML data type

1. Problem description –  IBM Infosphere Data Replication (CDC) for IBMi does not support XML data type.  When you want to replicate the data of a table using CDC, but the table contains a column of XML data type, CDC indicates that replication is not possible. This has caused us many problems because it goes against the High Availability policies because we cannot replicate them, and in the worst case, we have had to stop using the XML data type for other data types that are not as efficient, which has impacted our processes and applications.

2. Current workaround -Due to this situation, we have been unable to use the features of the new IBMi releases, specifically the use of the XML data type. Much of the data we receive and send is in this format, so the processing and interpretation of this information is crucial for our applications, and the XML data type makes this task easier for us, and makes the processes more efficient.

        We have had to replace these data types with data types such as CLOB or VARCHAR, which are not in line with good practices, and do not offer us the same functionalities, and            they also strongly impact not only our equipment but also our applications.

3. Proposed resolution – Please allow data replication using fields with XML data type.

4. Business impact – We frequently use the XML format in information management, both to interpret what is sent to us from external entities and to build it and send it outside the company. The impact of the use of XML data types and their respective data replication to other teams is fundamental in our processes.

5. Which release do you see the problem on? – V7R4 and prior

        We have LPAR on OS 7.4 and are currently migrating the staging and development LPARs to 7.5

        CDC version: 11.4