A cloud database is a scalable content database running on a cloud computing platform that could be private, public or hybrid.
There are two cloud database environment models, namely, Traditional cloud model and Database-as-a-service (DBaaS).
In the Traditional cloud model, the content database will be run on the particular enterprise’s infrastructure and any oversight will fall into the shoulders of IT staffers of the company.
On the other hand, DBaaS runs on the service provider’s infrastructure and they (the vendor) would be responsible for any hitches or glitches should they occur.
The service provider assumes the full responsibility of handling client database leaving them to focus on operations and business goals.
Here are the main advantages of cloud databases:
Getting rid of physical infrastructure — It is the responsibility of the cloud service provider to maintain the database, provide storage and other infrastructure.
Scalability — Contracting with DBaaS, allows for automatic scalablilty most of the time, during peak business hours or unexpected spikes during festivals and special days.
Cost effectiveness — Reduced capital expenditure for enterprises is another advantage, because they no longer have to worry about operational costs or upgrading the infrastructure because all this will be handled by the cloud vendor.
Latest technology availability — Enterprises no longer have to worry about shelling money on buying new technologies because updated infrastructure is the headache of the cloud vendor.
Keeping that in mind, let’s look at some of the best databases that would be best for your business:
1. Amazon Web Services
Amazon is one of the top ones in the list of cloud database services, and it includes an array of services including NoSQL (offering fast read, write performance, limitless scaling, high availability and schema flexibility), petabyte-scale data-warehouse solution and in-memory caching services.
The key services of AWS are:
o Amazon RDS — for relational databases
o Amazon Redshift — As quick fully-managed, petabyte-scale data warehouse.
o Amazon DynamoDB — With its managed NoSQL database services
o Amazon ElastiCache — Providing in-memory caching service.
Additionally, AWS offers Database Migration Services making it easier and inexpensive to migrate to the cloud and with zero downtime. AWS can be quickly managed and installed within minutes.
2. Microsoft Azure SQL Database
Azure is also pretty much like Amazon and offers both SQL and NoSQL databases. Advantages of having Azure include scalability with absolutely no downtime, built-in security protections, automated tuning, multi-tenancy capabilities and support for development tools.
It makes building and deploying apps easier, enabling developers to monitor them with ease. SQL developers can easily work with QLCMD or the SQL Server Management Studio when working with SQL Azure. And the best part about Azure is that it is a great option for people who hate setting up SQL Server and wants to be free from physical administration.
3. Microsoft Azure DocumentDB
As Microsoft Azure supports two different cloud based implementations, it is worth mentioning Microsoft Azure DocumentDB as well. Launched in 2014, Microsoft Azure DocumentDB is an NoSQL document database service that supports both JSON and Javascript.
Features of Microsoft Azure DocumentDB include limitless scalability, high level consistency and commendable global replication capabilities. Additionally, it offers 15 millisecond latencies on writes (at least 99% of the time) and 10 millisecond latencies on reads.
Hence, Document DB is a write optimized; latch-free database engine delivering high performance solid-state drives for the cloud. Though Microsoft releases both Mongo DB and Azure DocumentDB, both the databases share some common ground as well.
4. Cloud SQL by Google
As it can manage both MySQL and PostgreSQL databases, Cloud SQL with its relational databases and a Big Query analysis tool can easily run queries on cloud-based data for Google Cloud Platform.
It is easy to set up, manage, maintain and administer. Cloud SQL is the answer for developers looking for the best option to save time consuming tasks like applying patches and updates, manage backups and a lot more.
Developers can focus on building great apps and since Cloud SQL uses standard wire protocols, connecting any applications from anywhere becomes easier. The database also supports common features of MySQL or PostgreSQL, with just very few differences.
5. Oracle Database as a Service
Enterprise developers are also aware of the capabilities of Oracle databases in data centers. Keeping this in mind, Oracle has released its database technology on an SaaS basis. It can support any size workload, right from development to testing, and still provide high-level security encryption spanning multiple layers.
Apart from providing flexibility, management options and various editions, the another noted advantage of Oracle database is that developers can get it up and running within a few minutes. You can add capacity on-demand as well, adding to its scaling. Hence, as your business grows from startup to a large enterprise, Oracle stays with you by scaling OLTP and Data Warehouse workloads as per requirement.
In the news: On February 2017, Google launched Cloud Spanner, a fully managed database that aims to provide the transactional consistency of traditional databases apart from the already available scalability and performance of NoSQL database.
Cloud Spanner aims to solve the problems presented by traditional databases and NoSQL databases, because it can manage software, hardware and replication of content for multiple data centers.
Conclusion
Cloud databases are extremely important for removing IT complexities and to drive business goals home.
Apart from handling installation, maintenance and scaling of IT infrastructures, constant upgrades by cloud service providers make it easier for enterprises to cut down operational costs without compromising on security and quality. Flexibility, agility and cost savings are the three main factors why cloud database has become a force to reckon.
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