Is relational database a confusing concept for you? We know that cloud users struggle to understand the difference between a relational database and Amazon RDS (Relational Database Service). To clear the air, the relational database is a storing mechanism that helps you store data and additionally gives you the option to implement functionality over stored data.
On the other hand, Amazon RDS is a managing service i.e. all the arduous tasks of a native RDS can be managed by this service.
Why do you need a managed Relational Database Service?
Relational databases are at the heart of your critical applications, but as you scale, operating in public clouds become a difficult puzzle to solve. AWS provides relational database service (RDS) that takes over many of the difficult or tedious management tasks of a relational database.
If you bought a server, you get a CPU, memory, storage, and IOPS all bundled together. Then Amazon RDS splits them apart so that you can scale them independently. Also, if you need more CPU, fewer IOPS, or more storage, you can easily allocate them.
- Amazon RDS maintains backups, software patching, automatic failure detection, and recovery.
- RDS does not provide shell access to DB instances in order to deliver a managed service experience. It also restricts access to certain system procedures or tables that require advanced privileges.
- You can have automated backups as per your need, or you can create your own backup snapshot manually and use these backups to restore a database. The process of restoring the RDS operates reliably and efficiently.
- With a primary instance and a synchronous secondary instance, you can go into failover mode and get high availability during outages. To increase read scaling, you can also use MySQL, MariaDB or PostgreSQL Read Replicas.
- You can use the database products you already know about: MySQL, MariaDB, PostgreSQL, Oracle, SQL Server from Microsoft.
The other aspects of Amazon RDS you need to consider:
In addition to the security in your database package, you can use AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM) to define users and permissions to help control who can access your RDS databases. You can also protect your databases by putting them in a virtual private cloud.
There are a few services that are better together. Integrate different services from AWS with Amazon RDS to enhance your database management.
You can choose your preferred source database i.e. MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle database or Microsoft SQL server. With Amazon RDS there’s no need to buy hardware and install the software. Just one click and new databases will be made available.
Now, high availability for databases is simple with Amazon RDS if you choose to run in multiple availability zones. If disaster strikes, RDS will failover to standby and you can replicate your data to another AWS region, near or far, with the push of a button.
Amazon RDS even lets you run replicas. It makes it easy for you to get automated backups that let you recover from a point-in-time you choose. You also get a simple way to take consistent and durable snapshots on demand and keep them as long as you want.
Amazon RDS instance types:
AWS provides a handful of options for you to choose what type of database instance you want to spin up. AWS categorizes them into two:
A security tip
AWS RDS instances should not be present in public subnet
Bye-Line |
If you are running applications for a huge base of users; then the database becomes a very crucial component for you. To provide better user experience to your customers, it is very important for you to sync your applications with the relevant database and run them like a finely tuned machine.
To operate smooth database management, it is necessary to take proactive actions on a user part. These actions may include monitoring costs incurred by RDS resources, managing policies for access and much more.