10 REASONSWhy it makes a good option for your DB

IN-MEMORY DATABASES

Presenter #10:Robert Vitolo

Stores and manipulates table data within the main memory space

Also known as: MMDB (Main Memory Database) IMDB (In-Memory Database) IMDS (In-Memory Database System)

Implemented using a large amount of memory and/or compression schemes

Characterized by high performance through algorithmic simplicity and the lack of I/O operations

IN-MEMORY DATABASES SUMMARIZED

Real-time data processingUsage in embedded devicesMore efficient use of computer resourcesData-set testing in application developmentReduced development / manufacturing cost for

productsFeasibility due to dropping cost of RAMCost effective alternative to data warehousingHigh capacity support through compressionFlexibility through hybrid productsSupport of the ACID standard

10 REASONS SUMMARIZED

When information is changing on a constant basis (in real-time)

Examples: Stock market trading Sensor monitoring Online auctions Air traffic control

Limitations of traditional DBs: lack timing constraints, consistently high performance

Real-time database systems utilizing an MMDB model can ensure consistency in the data that is captured and queried

REAL TIME DATA PROCESSING

“Smart” devices dedicated to handle specific tasks

Examples: Set-top boxes Cell phones: “Smart Phones”

Rely on main memory for local storage of retrieved data

Typically low power devices designed with modest hardware specifications

Absence of magnetic disks improves power performance and MMDBs still operate faster than flash memory

EMBEDDED DEVICES

Traditional DB optimization has focused on enhancing speed through improving frequent file I/O operations

MMDBs are built from the ground up from the viewpoint of maximizing memory performance, fewer CPU instructions

Fewer I/O operations, no need for building large indexes, no cache management, less code complexity

CPU spends the bulk of it’s time working directly with data, not managing, translating, and moving it between CPU and disks

EFFICIENT USE OF RESOURCES

Manufacturers of enterprise database/server applications need to run test suites on their software using large datasets to identify bugs

Utilizing an MMDB reduces build times and down time by processing the dataset more quickly.

TESTING IN ENTERPRISE APPLICATIONS

Streamlined code allows for easier development and easier debugging and troubleshooting.

Specialized devices like smart phones can be manufactured for less money, as they don’t require extra disks for redundancy and can use fewer hardware components

REDUCED DEVELOPMENT / MANUFACTURING COSTS

FALLING COST OF RAM

HARD DRIVE PRICES UP 90 – 180%

Upfront costs of hardware, servers and space make building a data warehouse a non-starter for small to mid-sized businesses.

An MMDB and in-memory analytical tools provides the ability to analyze large data sets, but is simple to setup, administer, and maintain.

ALTERNATIVE TO DATA WAREHOUSING

Limitation of MMDB: Your database can only be as large as your main memory.

Diverted through compression: Oracle’s Exalytics product allows up to 10TB of data in main memory per 1TB DRAM chip.

In the future: deal with larger databases using DIMDB (Distributed In Memory Database) that harness the main memory systems of several computers connected by network or in the cloud Example: Network Cloud DB by Xeround

SUPPORT FOR LARGE DATABASES THROUGH COMPRESSION

Some MMDBs can be run in a hybrid mode, allowing both in-memory data processing and on-disk tables. Examples:

Solid DB by IBM Altibase H2

This allows an organization to try out an MMDB without abandoning their traditional DB structure if the hardware is already in place, or gradually transition to a fully MMDB solution as hardware needs to be replaced.

FLEXIBILITY THROUGH HYBRID PRODUCTS

ACID: Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, and Durability

Biggest strength of an MMDB is also its biggest weakness:

MMDB stores all data in volatile RAM

Getting around it: NVRAM / Battery backup RAM Redundancy through backup to disk storage / Network

SUPPORT FOR ACID STANDARD