Abstract: Aspects of the subject matter described herein relate to database access. In aspects, a request for access to a database is received at a node of a database cluster. Also received at the node is an intent associated with the request. If the intent is to potentially write to the database, a primary instance of the database services the request. If the intent is to read from but not write to the database, an identifier of a secondary instance of the database is sent to the requestor for use in accessing the database.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject matter described herein relate to database connectivity behavior. In aspects, an entity seeking to access data that is replicated via instances of a database follows a plan. The plan provides information as to which instance(s) the entity is to attempt to access the data from. The plan may include connection data that indicates parameters the entity is to use in connecting to the instance(s). The plan may also indicate one or more other instances from which the entity may attempt to access the data if the client is not able to access the data from initial instance(s).

Abstract: Aspects of the subject matter described herein relate to database access. In aspects, a request for access to a database is received at a node of a database cluster. Also received at the node is an intent associated with the request. If the intent is to potentially write to the database, a primary instance of the database services the request. If the intent is to read from but not write to the database, an identifier of a secondary instance of the database is sent to the requestor for use in accessing the database.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject matter described herein relate to buffering database server response data. In aspects, a database driver receives a request for data from a requester such as an application. Based on the request and information associated with a query, the database driver determines whether the requester is allowed to obtain data that has been previously buffered. If the database driver determines that the requester is not allowed to obtain data that has been previously buffered, the database driver indicates that blocks corresponding to the data may be freed. The database driver obtains new blocks from the database when they are needed. The database driver may determine whether to free blocks depending on a mode in which the blocks are accessed. When blocks are requested in a stream mode, they may be discarded once provided to a requester unless a bookmark has been set.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject matter described herein relate to database connectivity behavior. In aspects, an entity seeking to access data that is replicated via instances of a database follows a plan. The plan provides information as to which instance(s) the entity is to attempt to access the data from. The plan may include connection data that indicates parameters the entity is to use in connecting to the instance(s). The plan may also indicate one or more other instances from which the entity may attempt to access the data if the client is not able to access the data from initial instance(s).

Abstract: Aspects of the subject matter described herein relate to buffering database server response data. In aspects, a database driver receives a request for data from a requester such as an application. Based on the request and information associated with a query, the database driver determines whether the requester is allowed to obtain data that has been previously buffered. If the database driver determines that the requester is not allowed to obtain data that has been previously buffered, the database driver indicates that blocks corresponding to the data may be freed. The database driver obtains new blocks from the database when they are needed. The database driver may determine whether to free blocks depending on a mode in which the blocks are accessed. When blocks are requested in a stream mode, they may be discarded once provided to a requester unless a bookmark has been set.