Concepts of Distributed databases


A database that is dispersed among several computers or locations, each of which contains a subset of the data, is known as a distributed database. No matter where the data is kept, a distributed database management system (DDBMS) administers the distributed database and gives users access to it. The ideas of distributed databases, including their benefits, drawbacks, and many forms, will be covered in this article.

Types of Distributed Databases

  • Homogeneous Distributed Databases − All of the locations in a homogeneous distributed database make use of the same DBMS and operating systems.

  • Examples -Oracle Real Application Clusters (RAC), My SQL Cluster, IBM DB2 PureScale, etc.

  • Heterogeneous Distributed Databases − A heterogeneous distributed database is a database in which different nodes have different DBMS software and data structures

  • Examples- MongoDB Sharding, Apache Cassandra, Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB, etc.

  • Federated Databases − A federated database is one that, despite being made up of several dispersed databases, appears to users as a single database.

  • Examples- IBM Informix, Oracle Distributed Database, Teradata Federated Database.

Advantages of Distributed Databases

  • Improved Performance − By enabling data to be stored closer to the user, lowering network latency, and enhancing reaction times, a distributed database can enhance performance.

  • Increased Availability − It is possible to create distributed databases with high availability and fault tolerance. The data may still be accessible from other nodes even if one of them fails.

  • Scalability − Distributed databases can be scaled horizontally by adding more nodes, allowing the system to handle a larger amount of data and more users

  • Reduced Costs − The system can manage more users and more data thanks to distributed databases ability to extend horizontally by adding more nodes.

Disadvantages of Distributed Databases

  • Complex Designs − Building a distributed database may be difficult and involves a solid understanding of data replication, data consistency, and data partitioning.

  • Security Concerns − Distributed databases may generate security risks including data leaks and illegal access.

  • Increased Network Overhead − Two instances of the extra network overhead that distributed databases might provide are data replication and synchronisation between nodes.

Conclusion

Companies may gain a lot from distributed databases, including greater performance, increased availability, scalability, and cost savings. Nonetheless, developing and maintaining a distributed database may be complex, and there are additional variables to take into mind, such as increased network cost and security problems. Understanding the different types of distributed databases and their advantages and disadvantages is vital for businesses thinking about establishing a distributed database.

Updated on: 07-Sep-2023

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