HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT SERVER TO HOST YOUR DATABASE
In most current web and mobile applications, a database is a crucial component. The type of database (such as MySQL, PostgreSQL, or MongoDB) as well as the server hosting it, can impact its stability, accessibility, and efficiency. This article will examine the considerations to keep in mind when selecting a database server and examine three server options – a hybrid, cloud, and dedicated – and how they are suited for hosting different types and sizes of databases.
WHICH FACTORS AFFECT DATABASE PERFORMANCE?
The server hardware you choose will greatly influence the efficiency and ability to grow of your database and any related applications.
Storage
We provide three options for database storage: SATA drives, SSD drives, and NVMe drives, which range from slowest to fastest and least to most costly. The way storage is utilized affects the database’s performance in two key ways: the speed of queries and the capacity for data storage. It is crucial to find a balance between needs and expenses when selecting a storage solution. To make the right choice, it is necessary to comprehend the intended usage of the database.
As an illustration, if you have a multi-terabyte database that is rarely queried, you may store it on SSD or NVMe drives, but this would be costly and you may not see a significant advantage from the increased speed of these drives. However, if the database has high input/output needs, experiences a large volume of concurrent queries, or needs to transfer data quickly, the faster drives would provide significant benefits.
Processor
The performance of a processor for databases is influenced by two elements: the speed of individual cores and the total number of cores. Your choice between these factors will depend on the desired performance, whether the database can utilize multiple cores, the number of concurrent users accessing the database, and the types of queries the database will perform.
Memory
Memory plays a crucial role in the performance of a database server. Since RAM is faster than even the quickest SSD, if the database can load the data required for a query into memory, it can operate at its optimal speed without encountering any issues with swapping or paging. A general guideline is to select an adequate amount of RAM so that you can store the database’s indexes within it.
Network
Even if your database operates quickly, a slow network can impede the transfer of data to your web and application servers. ServerMania offers a 100% network availability guarantee with connection speeds ranging from 1Gbps to 10Gbps, making it ideal for large databases that have multiple concurrent users.
SERVER TYPES
There are various types of servers that can host databases, each with its own unique performance and ability to grow.
Hybrid Servers
A Hybrid Server is a virtual private server that provides high performance. Only a small number of virtual servers are hosted on each physical server, reducing competition for resources. Hybrid servers are appropriate for smaller databases with less intensive input/output needs. However, they cannot be easily scaled, and so may not be the best option for databases that are expected to grow rapidly, which would require migration to a different server.
Cloud Servers
Cloud servers provide exceptional reliability and the ability to grow. They operate on ServerMania’s highly redundant cloud platform and have a 100% uptime guarantee. If you anticipate that your database will grow rapidly or have to change usage patterns, cloud servers are the ideal choice, as their resources can be expanded as needed.
Dedicated Servers
Dedicated servers provide the best performance out of all server options. ServerMania offers various dedicated servers, including the newly launched Intel Xeon W line. Additionally, to achieve unbeatable input/output performance, ServerMania offers a range of robust NVMe servers.