Apache Cassandra

Website

cassandra.apache.org

Categories

#Databases #NoSQL Databases #Relational Databases #Big Data

Amazon ElastiCache

Website

aws.amazon.com

Categories

#Databases #NoSQL Databases #Key-Value Database #Graph Databases

Apache Cassandra features and specs

• Scalability
  Apache Cassandra is designed for linear scalability and can handle large volumes of data across many commodity servers without a single point of failure.
• High Availability
  Cassandra ensures high availability by replicating data across multiple nodes. Even if some nodes fail, the system remains operational.
• Performance
  It provides fast writes and reads by using a peer-to-peer architecture, making it highly suitable for applications requiring quick data access.
• Flexible Data Model
  Cassandra supports a flexible schema, allowing users to add new columns to a table at any time, making it adaptable for various use cases.
• Geographical Distribution
  Data can be distributed across multiple data centers, ensuring low-latency access for geographically distributed users.
• No Single Point of Failure
  Its decentralized nature ensures there is no single point of failure, which enhances resilience and fault-tolerance.

Possible disadvantages of Apache Cassandra

• Complexity
  Managing and configuring Cassandra can be complex, requiring specialized knowledge and skills for optimal performance.
• Eventual Consistency
  Cassandra follows an eventual consistency model, meaning that there might be a delay before all nodes have the latest data, which may not be suitable for all use cases.
• Write-heavy Operations
  Although Cassandra handles writes efficiently, write-heavy workloads can lead to compaction issues and increased read latency.
• Limited Query Capabilities
  Cassandra's query capabilities are relatively limited compared to traditional RDBMS, lacking support for complex joins and aggregations.
• Maintenance Overhead
  Regular maintenance tasks such as node repair and compaction are necessary to ensure optimal performance, adding to the administrative overhead.
• Tooling and Ecosystem
  While the ecosystem for Cassandra is growing, it is still not as extensive or mature as those for some other database technologies.

Amazon ElastiCache features and specs

• Scalability
  Amazon ElastiCache allows for seamless scaling of your cache cluster. You can easily add or remove nodes to adjust to the workload demands, ensuring efficient resource management.
• Managed Service
  ElastiCache is fully managed by AWS, meaning that infrastructure tasks such as hardware provisioning, patching, and maintenance are handled by Amazon, reducing operational overhead for users.
• High Performance
  Designed for delivering low latency and high throughput, ElastiCache can significantly improve the performance of applications by reducing the time to retrieve data from databases.
• Compatibility
  It supports popular caching engines such as Redis and Memcached, allowing users to work with familiar technologies and migrate existing setups to the AWS environment with ease.
• Security and Compliance
  ElastiCache provides robust security features including VPC integration, data encryption, and IAM policies, helping to ensure compliance with various industry standards.

Possible disadvantages of Amazon ElastiCache

• Cost
  As a premium managed service, ElastiCache can become expensive, especially for large-scale deployments or when utilizing advanced features, which may not be ideal for all budget constraints.
• Limited Customization
  Because it is a managed service, there are limits to the customization of infrastructure and configurations when compared to self-managed solutions, which might not accommodate all specific needs.
• Dependency on AWS Ecosystem
  Using ElastiCache ties your infrastructure to AWS, which might not be suitable for organizations seeking a multi-cloud strategy or those who wish to avoid vendor lock-in.
• Learning Curve
  New users may face a learning curve, especially if they are not already familiar with AWS services and console navigation, potentially requiring additional training or support.
• Regional Limitations
  Not all features may be available in every AWS region, which could impact global deployments and necessitate strategic planning for distribution and redundancy.

Course Intro | DS101: Introduction to Apache Cassandra™

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Introduction to Amazon ElastiCache for Redis

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