When it comes to database management systems (DBMSs), the opportunities can seem endless. From Analytical to Operational, SQL to NoSQL, or even the most recent NewSQL, many organizations are still struggling to find the right database for their application.
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Digging into Distributed SQL
Traditional relational SQL databases
like Oracle and Microsoft SQL Server are great for on-premises, single data center environments, but fail to adapt to the more distributed, less predictable, and higher in volume workloads found in today’s enterprise.
NoSQL
solutions
like MongoDB, Couchbase, and DataStax solve for on-demand scale and continuous availability needs, but force organizations to rewrite SQL-based applications, resulting in the loss of the data consistency that transactional systems require
NewSQL
products
such as VoltDB, Clustrix, and MemSQL maintain SQL as they scale, but are often limited to highly specialized use cases such as streaming or batch analytic applications
Is a Distributed SQL database right for you?
When selecting the right database, there are three vectors to consider.
- Do you need a general purpose operational database, an analytical database, or a highly specialized database like a time-series or scientific database?
- Do you need something that industry standards like SQL or ACID guarantees can't provide? If you’re running an application with valuable information in it - customer and business data for instance - you probably need strict consistency and could benefit from the established SQL ecosystem. But if you’re running an Internet of Things application, you may need a non-relational database and can get away with something less than strict transactional guarantees.
- Do your growth and availability expectations demand a multi-server architecture? Do you want the ability to scale-up and down on demand, or are you comfortable with a more traditional pre-provisioning model? When scaling, do you want a naturally distributed architecture that aligns with cloud environments, or do you prefer to take a sharded or clustered approach?
As you move your way down any given path, you can quickly determine based on your application requirements whether a distributed SQL database meets your needs. In short, if you are looking to retain your traditional SQL database benefits and gain new cloud efficiencies, then a distributed SQL database is the right option to consider.
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