Cloud or not cloud: Pros and cons of cloud databases
4/4/2024
Tomasz Chwasewicz
Big players have no choice but to move to the cloud. However, some companies may consider choosing between traditional on-premises configurations and cloud solutions. On the one hand, this means scalability, flexibility and cost savings that traditional databases can hardly match. The ability to scale resources up or down on demand, pay only for the resources you use, and take the burden off maintenance and security tasks makes a compelling case for moving to the cloud.
On the other hand, traditional local databases offer a level of control and security that some companies are reluctant to give up. Physical control over the database infrastructure can provide a sense of security, especially for organizations with highly sensitive data or stringent compliance requirements. Additionally, for businesses with stable data workloads that don't require frequent scaling, the initial investment in on-premises hardware may not seem so daunting
When comparing traditional on-premises databases to cloud databases, scalability is often the first topic that comes up. When investing in equipment, you need to act a bit like a fairy and anticipate future needs long before they become obvious. An investment also involves capital that could be used more effectively elsewhere in the company.
Cloud databases do not require skillful foresight of the future. They offer on-demand scalability, which means companies can adjust resources as needs change — no prior investments in hardware are necessary.
However, it is worth noting that the initial transition to cloud databases can be associated with performance fluctuations. Due to factors such as network delays, short-term challenges may arise. However, all this is compensated by savings and operational flexibility.
In the financial aspect, we can observe a transition from traditional CapEx models to OpEx models. This is a breakthrough for many companies. Traditionally, significant upfront costs of equipment, infrastructure and human resources meant a large initial investment. Cloud databases, with their subscription or payment models according to actual use, rotate this 180 degrees, offering a financial approach that scales with use.
This can be especially useful for startups and small and medium-sized businesses that may not have the capital for larger initial investments
However, ease of scale and operational flexibility can sometimes lead to unexpected costs. Spending extra money is just too easy. For example, an unforeseen increase in CPU load, similar to the one we described in our case study, can cause a gigantic cost increase in the payment model according to actual use. On top of that, it would be an increase in cost that was not necessary at all.
Cloud databases are created so that the heart of the company beats continuously, for better or for worse. Their architecture is designed to minimize interference even in the face of hardware failures or other common issues that can cripple traditional on-premises configurations.
Let's be honest - outage are always possible. Service interruptions, although rare, do happen and are largely beyond the customer's control. By choosing a cloud database, you are in the hands of your delivery. In the event of a breakdown, it remains only to hope that he is able to bring everything to the proper state.
Performance can be influenced by several factors. These primarily include network latency and bandwidth limitations. These issues can affect the speed at which data is accessed and processed, potentially slowing down operations. Cloud service providers are constantly working to optimize their networks and infrastructure to mitigate these problems, but the truth is that even in the cloud there are speed limits.
It goes without saying that they rely heavily on internet connectivity. Cloud databases depend on it. Losing a connection is a pause pressed for the entire company. In scenarios where the Internet service is interrupted, access to the cloud database, and thus to critical business data and operations, can be compromised.
To maintain business continuity, databases often use duplication of servers, databases, and applications across multiple geographically distributed data centers. This is their way of ensuring disaster recovery and high availability, providing protection against localized outages.
Cloud databases offer unparalleled flexibility in resource allocation and database configuration. Companies can precisely tailor their database services to their requirements.
With a lot of flexibility, however, there is a trade-off: limited control. By moving to the cloud, companies hand over control of detailed infrastructure and database management to their provider. For those who are used to detailed control over every aspect of the database environment, this can seem like quite a challenge.
There is also another spectrum: dependence on the supplier, the potential danger of trusting too much and being too attached to one supplier. Yes, it is convenient, but what if you decide to go in a different direction? - Suddenly, the prospect of relocating your trust (and data) to a new provider seems daunting, full of hidden costs and compatibility issues.
No more local procedures tailored to specific instances or applications. Cloud databases operate under a global procedure that has universal application, simplifying management but also standardizing practices. A one-size-fits-all approach improves performance, but requires adaptability from database administrators accustomed to a different management style — more practical and tailored to individual needs.
Cloud databases don't care if your team is in one city or spread out across the globe (as long as it's connected to the Internet). All employees can work on the same projects at the same time.
However, the eternal light of cloud databases - dependence on the Internet - also reveals its shadow: limited offline capabilities. In scenarios where internet connectivity is compromised or unavailable, work may be temporarily suspended. Even though some cloud services offer offline modes that sync data when connectivity is restored, functionality is often limited compared to full online capabilities.
Covering everything from routine backups and updates to performance optimization, these services can give IT teams a well-deserved rest. With these tasks in the competent hands of a cloud service provider, companies can shift their focus from maintenance to innovation.
Keep in mind, however, that choosing a managed database service is not limited to cloud environments. Local databases can also be managed by third-party providers, offering a similar reduction in administrative tasks. The key difference with cloud databases is the integration of these services into the cloud ecosystem.
Automated backups ensure data durability without requiring manual intervention, while automatic updates ensure database security and performance.
Most importantly, automation can optimize resource utilization in real time. It does this by adjusting capacity based on current demand, so as to maintain optimal performance and cost effectiveness.
By reducing the administrative costs of maintaining a database, companies can accelerate the pace of innovation.
Integration with the cloud ecosystem means the ability to directly link the database to analytics platforms, machine learning tools and various other cloud-based applications. Stored data can be more easily converted into usable data.
What's more, compatibility with the broader ecosystem allows businesses to benefit from a variety of services, such as serverless computing frameworks, container orchestration systems, and automated scaling solutions. The possibilities for experimentation would be unthinkable in a traditional IT environment.
Cloud service providers really do their best to empower their platforms against threats. Some of the measures they have implemented include:
In addition, compliance with regulations such as GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI DSS is mandatory, and vendors offer certificates and tools to help you stay compliant. Even in the face of these measures, companies must actively ensure that their cloud databases comply with relevant regulations and standards. No one will do it for them.
Despite these efforts, potential vulnerabilities remain an issue and likely always will be, at least to some degree. In summary, protecting data and access to it will always depend on the weakest link in the cybersecurity chain — people.
