The software development industry is rapidly becoming cloud-native, and cloud database management systems are rapidly rising in importance. Cloud databases run on cloud computing platforms. Cloud computing is the use of standardized computing technology to commodify data storage and processing time.

You can operate a cloud database independently using a virtual machine image or purchasing database services deployed and maintained by cloud database providers.

What is a Cloud Database Management System?

A cloud database management system is public or private software that manages data using cloud storage infrastructure tiers like cloud objects store and distributed data. It may use multiple data models, including relational, nonrelational (document, key-value, wide column, graph), time series, and more.

Database management systems highlight the optimization strategies for supporting transactions and analytical processing. The key features of Cloud Database Management systems include:

Database services developed and accessible through the cloud
Enable enterprise database hosting without dedicated hardware installation
Can be managed by the user or supervised by a provider, as a service
Support for relational databases (including MySQL and PostgreSQL), also NoSQL databases like MongoDB and Apache CouchDB
Web-accessible interface or vendor-supplied API

Top Cloud Database Management Systems

Top Cloud Database

Amazon Web Services (AWS)

Amazon Web Services hosts a wealth of cloud database management services, including NoSQL and relational databases:

Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS) operates on SQL, Oracle, or MySQL server management instances. Amazon SimpleDB primarily runs a schema-less database ideal for managing small workloads. Also, Amazon DynamoDB runs on a Solid State Drive (SSD), NoSQL database that is can automatically replicate workloads across multiple availability zones.

DynamoDB is the fastest-growing database service in AWS history. Like that’s not enough, Amazon delivers supplementary data-management services, including data warehousing and Data Pipelines, to make data management more effortless.

SAP

SAP is an enterprise software giant that also provides a cloud database management platform called HANA to complement the on-premise database-related tools of clients. Amazingly, one of the significant SAP database tools, Sybase, is also available in the Amazon Web Services cloud.

EnterpriseDB

EnterpriseDB initially focused on open-source PostgreSQL databases, with its exceptional capability to run Oracle database applications. It comprises scheduled backups and binary replications using its Postgres Plus, Advanced Server of EnterpriseDB to run applications developed for Oracle on-premise databases. And they are also HP and AWS compatible.

Garantia Data

Garantia Data management services are quick configuration open-source data platforms. They offer excellent gateway services for clients who prefer running in-memory NoSQL (Memcached) databases and open-source applications using AWS public cloud.

Google Cloud SQL

There are two main products of google cloud SQL database services. Cloud SQL highlights a relational database and a BigQuery analysis application to run queries on comprehensive data sets stored in the cloud.

Microsoft Azure

Microsoft’s Azure cloud-computing platform offers a relational database that provides unparalleled access to SQL databases stored on the Microsoft cloud or hosted virtual machine servers.

Rackspace

Rackspace database management services get supplied in managed or hosted cloud databases that deliver high-performance services, incorporating an OpenStack storage network platform.

Benefits of a Cloud Database Management System

Consider the following benefits of a fully managed NoSQL database hosted in the cloud:

Cost-Effective

The cost of implementing a cloud database is considerably less than expanding physical, on-site server infrastructure. The reduced maintenance costs can also reduce administrative costs. Because most cloud services are pay-as-you-go, you will only pay more if you require additional computing power.

Flexibility

Shifting your database system to the cloud helps reduce the demands and costs of managing your infrastructure. Thus as cloud service providers develop their services, your business can instantly exploit new improvements, making scaling and database management more effortless.

Cloud databases systems are highly efficient, and they have no restrictions on expansion capabilities.

Mobile Access

Growing businesses can leverage the ability of cloud platforms to provide access to users from a range of remote devices. Applications can be built and shared across remote teams with high security and efficiency.

Disaster Recovery

Built-in redundancy and 24/7 uptime of cloud databases offer reliable platforms for application development. Cloud infrastructure is so robust today that it ensures disaster recovery within minutes or hours.

Security and Safety

Moving sensitive data to a cloud platform can be risky. However, the cloud provides comprehensive security that’s more robust than on-site servers. Cloud service providers ensure that all database as a service infrastructure delivers reliable data protection.

The Disadvantages of a Cloud Database Management System

While cloud databases have many advantages, there are also some possible challenges you must consider before shifting to a cloud platform.

Vendor lock-In

Moving your database infrastructure to a different cloud service provider can be quite challenging once you have established your services. So you must pay particular attention to the structure of your cloud service and any proprietary applications that ensure the cloud platform operates smoothly.

Cost Concerns

Initial implementation costs of hosting your database may be lower than expanding on-site servers. But as your service needs increase, the prices can rise significantly too. As much as hosting your databases with just the services your business needs may sound lucrative, don’t overprovision the requirements as it could mean costs increase.

System Vulnerabilities

No system is entirely safe from attacks. Hosting delicate information online increases the possibility of a data breach. However, you can mitigate risks using best practices and cloud security policies.

Downtime and Weak Connection

Cloud services rely on robust internet network connections to function. Sometimes these services may be out of the control of the cloud service provider, and it is safer to spread the risk of failed connections across multiple sites.

Service-level agreements (SLAs) from leading cloud service providers provide detailed expectations in case of downtime.

Takeaway

Cloud computing databases popularly reduce complexities and IT operational costs. They reserve the struggle of traditional equipment licensing and procurement, maintenance, and installation, which often involves many IT staff.

Cloud database management systems enable organizations to keep up with the increasing pace of world business by helping reduce the usage of in-house IT resources when handling substantial data sets.

What Are The Top Cloud Database Management Systems?