Important and significant advantages of a distributed database
In this article, we will talk about such a concept as distributed databases (RDB). In today’s world, they play a key role in the information ecosystem, providing many advantages over traditional centralized databases. AlexHost offers services that handle computing power perfectly because in the era of big data, cloud computing, and global commerce, distributed databases are increasingly in demand for their ability to provide scalability, reliability, and flexibility.
Scalability
There are several types of scalability that we will talk about today. These are types like horizontal scalability and also elasticity. The benefits of using these will be described below:
- Horizontal scalability. One of the main benefits of a distributed database is its ability to scale horizontally. Unlike centralized systems, where power scaling is achieved by replacing equipment with more powerful equipment, in distributed systems the addition of new nodes (servers) allows data storage volumes and computing power to increase. This is particularly important for organizations that are facing a constant increase in data volume.
- Elasticity. Distributed databases feature elasticity, allowing you to dynamically change the number of nodes in the system depending on current needs. This allows you to efficiently manage resources and reduce costs as additional capacity is only connected as needed.
Reliability and fault tolerance
- Data replication. Distributed databases provide high reliability and fault tolerance thanks to data replication. Data can be replicated and distributed across multiple nodes, ensuring data availability even if one or more nodes fail. Replication also improves system performance as requests can be served by multiple nodes simultaneously.
- Fault tolerance. Distributed databases are designed to be resilient to various types of failures, including hardware errors, software errors, and network problems. The use of redundancy and automatic recovery mechanisms minimizes downtime and ensures business continuity.
Performance and latency
- Geographical distribution. Distributed databases can be geographically distributed, allowing data to be located closer to end users. This reduces data access latency and improves overall system performance. Geographic distribution also improves resiliency as data is located in different physical locations.
- Load balancing. Distributed databases are able to effectively load balance between nodes, which prevents individual servers from becoming overloaded and ensures even distribution of resources. This is especially important for heavily loaded systems that require processing a large number of concurrent requests. If you have any questions about exactly how this works, we recommend creating an engineering ticket and clarifying this information.
Easy management and monitoring
Monitoring is an important and significant aspect of database administration and management. Unfortunately, the administration process encounters issues with performance, connection speed, and other unexpected interruptions. When it comes to management and monitoring, there are two ways: centralized management and task automation. This will help solve some important problems.
- Centralized management. Despite the distributed nature of the system, modern distributed database solutions offer centralized management and monitoring tools. This simplifies system administration by allowing administrators to efficiently manage data, sites, and users from one centralized interface.
- Automate tasks. Many distributed databases support automation of routine tasks such as backups, data recovery, software updates, and load balancing. This allows to reduce the number of errors, increase the efficiency of administrators and ensure stable system operation.
Cost effectiveness
- Reduced infrastructure costs. Distributed databases allow you to optimize infrastructure costs by using standard server hardware. Horizontal scalability allows you to add resources as needed, reducing initial capital costs and ensuring efficient resource utilization. For example, by purchasing one dedicated server, you gain complete control over the equipment and computing power, which in turn is determined by sufficient resources!