Learn about database hosting, whether you need it and what is involved in our database hosting FAQs section.
What is Database hosting?
In most cases a database host is a specific kind of dedicated server, which is going to be used to run a database intensive application. The server can either be just for the database itself or it could also run the web site too, it really depends on how much system resources will be needed by the database. A system setup to run intense database applications will have a significant amount more RAM than a regular server. For example, if you are looking at a regular web-hosting server and you think 512 Megs will be enough then you would probably be looking at between 1 Gig to 2 Gigs for a database server.
Who needs a database host?
Anyone who is using a database intensive program like a CRM, ERP, or a custom made application should look into a database host because they have more memory, which will increase the speed and reliability of the application.
Why use a database server?
A database server is just a specific kind of dedicated server. So if a database server fits your needs it is something you should look into.
What are some applications that might run on a database server?
Some examples of applications that are used on database servers are CRM (Customer Relationship Management) and ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems.
Can a database server only be used for a database?
No a database server can be used for anything but it is a specific kind of dedicated server that is setup to get the maximum performance out of a database or applications that rely heavily on a database. To do this the server has a large amount of memory and a few other configurations are done so that the database is the priority over anything else running on the system.
Why do database servers contain more RAM?
Database servers are interesting pieces of software in that they store megs and even gigs of information in tables, which are made up of columns and rows, and yet doing a simple command we can get a result set that match the information we want in a matter of tenths of a second. Just as an example, google.com strives to keep all its searches down below half a second and they have over 3 trillion web pages in their database.
Very quickly, without getting to in-depth on how database software works, I will cover why having more RAM usually speeds up the process of getting data from a database. It is about 10 times faster to get data out of RAM, as it is to get data off a hard drive. This means that if we were to store some of the database data in RAM then getting results from that data in ram would be at least 10 times faster than if we pulled it off of the hard drive. Due to this fact database software developers use special algorithms to figure out what data to store in RAM so that results from queries are faster. The more RAM the server has the more data from the database can be stored in it and that leads to faster results. When the database is the key part of the entire application faster is always better so this is why database servers have so much more ram than a regular web server.
Does my E-commerce site need a database host?
Chances are you do not need a database host for your E-commerce site, you probably just need a web-hosting package/plan that gives you access to a database. The difference here between a database host and having access to a database is significant. When doing database hosting the database is the most important part of the entire application and is where all the processing is done.
What kind of administration is needed?
Just like in a dedicated server there is a lot of work to be done. Unlike a regular dedicated server though there will be more time spent on doing database administration tasks: optimizing tables and other database specific tasks.
If you do not know exactly what needs to be done or don’t have someone to do it for you then you might be interested in a managed system. A managed system is where the hosting company does some or most of the system security patching for you. This also includes general maintenance in most cases but you should ask about specifics.
Other companies that don’t have “managed” database servers are usually able to sell you a service along with your hosting package for a monthly fee, which usually includes patching of the server and regular maintenance. Then beyond that they will do optimization of the tables and check to make sure the tables are setup in such a way that it does not take more resources than it should in terms of how long it takes for queries to finish running. If you needed a database server and do not have the time or desire to do all the maintenance on it then you might be interested in looking for a managed server or at least an add-on service package that will have the hosting company take care of the maintenance for you.
What about custom software on a database server?
The developer of the software should give you guidelines as to how much disk space, memory, and processing power is needed just to run the software. They should also tell you what is required per user beyond just running the server. From this point you will have to figure out how many users will be connected at the same time. Once you know how many users will be connected at the same time and how much resources are needed per user just do the simple multiplication to figure out exactly what is going to be needed. A database server is great for applications that heavily use a database and require a lot of memory so if your results show you need a lot of memory then a database server is the best way to go.
Glossary of terms:
Database
A database is a collection of data in tables and rows arranged in such a way that searching and retrieving the data is quick.
MySQL
“The world’s most popular open source database” as they say. MySQL does not have all the features the other database servers have but because it leaves out a few features it tends to be faster than some of the other database servers.
MS SQL
“The enterprise relational database management and analysis system” as Microsoft calls it. Microsoft’s SQL server runs on the Windows operating system.
CRM
Customer Resource Management systems usually run on database servers because they are database intensive applications. While there are some web based CRM systems most are not web based and therefore require a special client to connect to the system. CRM systems are used to manage issues with customers to make sure no one is left unhappy.
ERP
Enterprise Resource Planning systems usually run on database servers much like CRM systems because they are database intensive applications. Much like CRM systems, ERP systems are not usually web based either and require a special client to connect to the application. ERP systems are used to help companies manage their resources from money to personnel to make the most of what they have.
Dedicated Server
The Dedicated Hosting environment provides an exclusive server or servers devoted solely to your web site. You do not share a server with other customers, as with shared hosting.
| DISCLAIMER: The content provided in this article is not warranted or guaranteed by Developer Shed, Inc. The content provided is intended for entertainment and/or educational purposes in order to introduce to the reader key ideas, concepts, and/or product reviews. As such it is incumbent upon the reader to employ real-world tactics for security and implementation of best practices. We are not liable for any negative consequences that may result from implementing any information covered in our articles or tutorials. If this is a hardware review, it is not recommended to open and/or modify your hardware. |
More Web Hosting FAQs Articles
More By Developer Shed
 developerWorks - FREE Tools!
|
Join this webcast, to learn how the Rational Process Library can help with compliance issues, drive process improvement, and assist in service-oriented architecture (SOA) or Agile development. We will take a peek into the Rational Process Library with content around software and systems engineering (including RUP), operations and systems management, program and portfolio management, and asset and SOA governance.
FREE! Go There Now!
|
|
|
|
Effective governance for lean development isn’t about command and control. Instead, the focus is on enabling the right behaviors and practices through collaborative and supportive techniques. Hear from Scott Ambler on how it is far more effective to motivate people to do the right thing than it is to force them to do so. Learn how to form a lightweight, collaboration-based framework that reflects the realities of modern IT organizations.
FREE! Go There Now!
|
|
|
|
Visit IBM developerWorks to download a free trial of the Rational Host Access Transformation Services (HATS) Toolkit. The HATS toolkit provides a set of plug-ins for the IBM Rational Software Delivery Platform to help you easily extend your legacy applications. HATS makes your 3270 and 5250 applications available as HTML through the most popular Web browsers, while converting your host screens to a Web look and feel and it also enables you to develop new Web, portal, and rich-client applications.
FREE! Go There Now!
|
|
|
|
IBM Enterprise Modernization solutions help organizations evolve core IT systems towards modern architectures and technologies—reducing the burden of maintenance and freeing up resources to develop new business requirements and capabilities. With the IBM Enterprise Modernization Sandbox for System z you can evaluate IBM Enterprise Modernization solutions focused on five key areas: Assets, Architectures, Skills, Processes and Infrastructures, and Investment. Each solution is based upon real customer experiences and offers a proven path to get you started with your modernization projects.
FREE! Go There Now!
|
|
|
|
Listen to this webcast to get an overview of Info 2.0 and a technical demo of how to quickly build an enterprise mashup. IBM's Info 2.0 technology leverages emerging Web 2.0 technologies such as mashups, feeds, AJAX, and JSON in order to simplify assembly of information using feeds and services. Come learn about the technical elements of Info 2.0 including the Feed Generation framework, Mashup Engine, and mashup assembly components. Learn how to pull information from databases, departmental information, and the Web to create mashups critical to your company’s success. We will also discuss best practices to help you get started.
FREE! Go There Now!
|
|
|
|
Ken Krugler, co-founder of code search company Krugle, and Laura Merling, vice president of Marketing and Business Development for Krugle, join to talk about the ins and outs of code search and what it means as a new feature for developerWorks users.
FREE! Go There Now!
|
|
|
|
Join this Rational Talks to You teleconference on December 11 at 1:00 pm ET to get tips on building your own plugins with Rational Method Composer. Get your questions answered!
FREE! Go There Now!
|
|
|
|
Join this Rational Talks to You teleconference on November 29 at 1:00 pm ET to participate in an interactive discusssion with Grady Booch around architecture and reuse. Get your questions answered!
FREE! Go There Now!
|
|
|
|
In this webcast, IBM Rational will discuss the importance of Web application security and will share techniques and best practices to introduce application security testing into current QA processes including: understanding common security vulnerabilities and techniques to integrate security testing with defect tracking and remediation systems in an effort to safeguard sensitive online information.
FREE! Go There Now!
|
|
|
|
The unprecedented scope of a service-oriented architecture (SOA) initiative brings to the forefront a number of management and governance issues that were sidestepped in the past. The key to a successful SOA implementation is managing and governing activities throughout the entire SOA delivery lifecycle by ensuring that services conform to the needs of all of the business’s stakeholders. Learn how service lifecycle management allows the business to ensure that the process by which services are defined, created, tested, deployed, optimized and retired is manageable, repeatable and auditable.
FREE! Go There Now!
|
|
|
|
All FREE IBM® developerWorks Tools!
|
