The operation of the entire IT infrastructure directly depends on the server configuration. It is this stage that will be decisive in the further functioning of the resource. It is almost impossible to imagine enterprises that do without a database.
In this white paper we will consider: what is a database server, types of database servers and, of course, we will try to answer the main question – which database server to choose.
Database types
A database server is a server responsible for organizing and maintaining data in a DBMS. It acts as a repository of different types of information. How does a database server work? Servers are logically modeled and have their own schema that defines the structure of material processing. They control input / output operations, provided that the client has access to information.
There are relational databases – SQL and non-relational, they are also NoSQL. The main difference is in the structure, in SQL data is presented in structured tables, and in NoSQL in the form of documents, graphs without clear links between each other.
Relational models of RDBMS (relational database management systems) are very successfully applied. The characteristics of the database server will help you determine which type is best for you. Let’s consider the most popular SQL.
MySQL
The most commonly used server database with great functionality. Applications communicate with the database through a daemon. The mysql database server supports many data types. Differs in ease of installation and speed of working performance. A lot of SQL functionality, including good security, can handle huge amounts of material. Web frameworks are used as basic configuration. With MySQL it is possible to store different data of variable and fixed length. The flexibility of the server is provided by maintaining many types of tables: MyISAM, InnoDB.
MariaDB
Developed under the GPL license, it is perfectly combined with applications that use MySQL. Why is that? Everything is obvious and simple, MariaDB comes from the MySQL RDBMS. Since MySQL is no longer progressing as actively, many are switching to this form. In addition, MariaDB excels in performance and functionality. The successor to MySQL has an improved query optimizer.
PostgreSQL
The relational system fully complies with the best management standards and is distinguished by ACID support. High scalability and many functionalities make the advanced version in demand in the IT infrastructure. Main advantages: mechanisms of replication and transactions, there are no restrictions on the size of the database, an expandable system of programming languages. PostgreSQL supports multi-versioning; with the help of MVCC, the database is modified by several users. You can expand by changing in procedural languages, indexes, domains. When developing simple websites, PostgreSQL is used less often than MySQL and MariaDB, but in the case of complex websites and applications, this system is preferred.
MS SQL Server
Another relational database management system. It was developed by a world famous corporation and confidently competes with other DBMS in this segment. MS SQL Server is used in work with large databases, the used query language is Transact-SQL. It is characterized by reliable and high performance, with its help, it quickly retrieves the necessary information from the cloud or on-premises. The storage of the database on the server is secure.
What factors to consider when choosing a database
The database server is directly responsible for the integrity of all data and their safety. What are the requirements for a database server? When choosing a DBMS, you should pay attention to the key parameters. The system should satisfy all the needs of the enterprise as much as possible. A number of criteria by which you can choose a DBMS:
- performance (parallel architecture capabilities, TPC rating, query optimization);
- data model (network, object, hierarchical);
- functional parameters, features of the system architecture (scalability, distribution, mobility, network capabilities);
- security (crash recovery, rollback of changes, backup, protection system);
- working environment (hardware requirements, hardware and software platforms, addressable memory size);
- features of application development (design tools, Web development, languages used);
- additional features (support for stored procedures and triggers, search tools, implementation of the query language, system auto-tuning, control over the use of different types of memory). The functionality of the database server also depends on the correct settings.
The presented criteria are the answer to the question: how to choose a server for the database. A consistent, clear analysis of all characteristics will help to compare the DBMS and choose the most suitable option for the project. The choice of a database server directly affects the result – the optimal operation of the site, application.
Server configuration
It is not difficult to choose a database server if you skillfully correlate the request of the owner of the web project with the basic server configurations. Basic parameters will be good helpers: RAM, storage and processor. Let’s study them in more detail.
RAM
The choice of the database server determines the RAM. The basic principle works like this: the more memory, the better. Random access memory affects the speed of processing information of different formats. When making a request to the database on the server, the data is cached in RAM.
Storage
The scaling potential is taken into account when choosing the size of the hard drive. You can calculate the volume of the current base and the approximate annual growth by precise calculation. It’s good if you can deploy a SAN file storage area network. In another case, three high-speed drives are connected to perform such tasks:
- storage with a database;
- temporary database;
- disk for storing OS and software files.
CPU
Since the purpose of the database server is to maintain and manage, and maintain the integrity of information, it is important to choose a good processor. When choosing a processor, you should focus on both the manufacturer and the production technology. But the main selection criteria will be individual, depending on the size of the database and the need to further increase it. This means that special attention should be paid to the number of cores.
Tips for choosing a database server from experts
To build an efficient IT infrastructure, you cannot do without a server. The main purpose of a database server is to manage, maintain and preserve all information. Selection criteria are directly related to the number of users and the total size of the database. Based on this, the processor, RAM and disk drives are selected.
From the white paper, you got a general idea: why you need a database server, what types there are, what configurations and parameters to focus on. The correct choice of the database server determines the further maintenance and management of the database.
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