What's New in InterBase XE

InterBase XE includes new features to improve security, scalability and to simplify application development.

• Improved Security
  Stronger password protection with SHA-1 cryptographic hash function and supports passwords up to 32 characters in length to comply with the most stringent security requirements.
• Improved Scalability
  InterBase now has the ability to manage 128 times more data.
• Features for Easier Development
  Support for Dynamic SQL in Stored Procedures .
• Improved handling for large objects
  Optimized performance of large objects with Stream methods

What's New in InterBase SMP 2009

• Column and Database Level Encryption
  InterBase now supports  weak (DES) or strong (AES) encryption to encrypt a database and/or individual columns in a database table.
• Over-the-Wire (OTW) Network Encryption
  OTW encryption, however, allows you to encrypt data as it is communicated over a network from a client to a server.  You can use weak or strong encryption.  Strong (AES) encryption requires an optional strong encryption license, available at no additional charge.
• Encryption of Backup Files
  If you encrypt a database and/or any of its columns, you must also encrypt the backup files for that database. You decrypt the backup files during the restore process. This adds an additional layer of protection to your data.
• InterBase SMP 2009 To-Go Edition
  The new InterBase To-Go Edition is a small, portable version of the Desktop Edition. Target applications for the To-Go Edition include small devices and public kiosks, as well as Value Added Reseller (VAR) applications that were built using InterBase. Used in the To-Go edition form, InterBase does not have to be installed on any server or end-user workstation.

For a detailed feature comparison please refer to the Feature Matrix available here