In the world of cloud computing, hybrid cloud is soaring in popularity. As the name suggests, this mode of cloud computing takes into consideration the best of both worlds – public and private cloud. This offers a great deal of flexibility to users on storage and usage of data. Being a modern-day concept, it has been a preferred topology for organizations that want to implement a comprehensive disaster recovery plan.
Executing applications across a hybrid cloud infrastructure has its own set of complexities that can lead to more downtime and maintenance. Monitoring these activities closely is highly recommended to ensure all activities go as per plan. Database administration is an important task and moving to PostgreSQL is one ideal choice to lessen complexity levels with the best of performance.
Before we go into the intricacies of how best can PostgreSQL be implemented in a hybrid environment, let us understand the fundamentals of hybrid computing.
Hybrid Cloud – An Introduction
A hybrid cloud is the right mix of public cloud and private cloud, including on-premises services. It is an apt solution that enhances communication between services through a competent software solution. This gives organizations a great deal of flexibility by shifting workloads on the cloud, as needed, with available budgets.
It does look like multi-cloud but there is a difference. A hybrid cloud environment looks at a perfect combination of the public and private cloud, orchestrating a single IT solution between both. A multi-cloud environment caters to multiple cloud-based services from multiple service providers.
Salient Features of a Hybrid Cloud
- A perfect balance of public and private cloud
- Freedom to move to the cloud at user’s choice and pace
- Demarcating critical workload from less important work areas
- Secure and scalable
- Increased operational power
- Enhanced automation, versatility
Key Considerations While Moving to a Hybrid Cloud
The mechanism to move to a hybrid cloud database is tad unique as there are a mixed set of data, procedures, requirements etc. Hence, while moving to a hybrid cloud database, there are certain key considerations that are must:
- Choose a software vendor who has sufficient experience in your desired industry and is familiar with global standards like HIPAA etc.
- Understand the workload in detail since that will determine the usage of public or private or both and its extent
- Empower the right skills to manage and maintain the data so that there is a smooth transition
- Distribute the workload across clouds depending upon requirements and cost-effectiveness
- Adapt container orchestration technology like Kubernetes, OpenShift, etc. for a simplified application shift within different cloud platforms
Why Choose PostgreSQL for your Hybrid Cloud?
Choosing the database that best suits the hybrid cloud environment depends upon the kind of workload that the database must support, in the cloud or on-premises. PostgreSQL is one such robust database that proves to be efficient executing in the cloud and on-premises. Being one of the most advanced open-source relational database, it offers effective control over the infrastructure with added versatility.
PostgreSQL is a powerful, open-source object-relational database system with over 30 years of active development that has earned it a strong reputation for reliability, feature robustness, and performance.
Key Benefits of PostgreSQL
- Easy switch between vendors and platforms
- High-end consistency with the same DBMS at all places
- Works efficiently with the containerization process
- Cost-effective and open source
- Community is driven with free support from developers globally
Salient Features of PostgreSQL
- Automated Backup and Point-in-time Recovery
- Provisioning and Configuration of Hosts
- Automatic Switchover and Auto-Failover
- Add/Remove Nodes from Cluster with Ease
- Modernized Database Security Features
- Simple Monitoring Dashboard
Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud Platform are amongst the popular cloud service providers who have been using PostgreSQL for most of their projects.
Best Practices While Deploying PostgreSQL in a Hybrid Cloud
Prepare Cloud Environment
The very first thing that must be done with care is the preparation of the cloud environment in the main cloud provider. Since its hybrid, extra care must be taken since it reflects the properties of both the clouds – public and private.
Deployment of a PostgreSQL Cluster
It is important to select the operating server and deploy the PostgreSQL cluster by choosing the server or database involved in case the instance is already running. Once the cluster is created, users can choose deployment or importing a load balancer by addition of a remote standby node.
Monitoring Operating System
While monitoring the operating system, there are certain metrics that must be calculated for a better alerting mechanism. Here are some considerations that need to be calculated:
- CPU Usage – Using CPU in excess may lead to a problem and hence finding out which processes are responsible for this, is important. That could possibly be due to some database processes, which must be identified.
- Checking RAM Memory – A higher value for these metrics may lead to checking on DB parameters that are responsible for the usage of memory.
- Disk Space Utilization – This must be checked regularly as it could be because of bad cache configuration that causes a higher number of defects generated in log files.
- Load Average – This could result from abnormal values of additional RAM, disk usage, and CPU.
- Latency and Packet Loss – Network issues may lead to misbehavior by the system.
- Monitoring Queries – To ensure stability and security, queries must be monitored through different commands like EXPLAIN
- The number of Active Sessions – This must be monitored since the unusual increase may lead to different behaviors like connection pooling, network issues, etc.
Checking Replication Status
The replication state and lag must be checked regularly so that networking and hardware issues are lessened. It is important to find them soon and fix them right on time to avoid any problems later.
Regular Backup and Log Monitoring
A regular backup mechanism is essential for the database to work perfectly with the hybrid cloud environment. This is primarily important because a database failure could lead to a complete loss of data. Even monitoring of different components like database logs, alerts, notifications, etc. is an essential ingredient.
As We Wrap Up Organizations are making the most of cloud development and deployment services. The hybrid cloud is a choice for many, thanks to its perfect fusion of the two worlds. As an efficient database, PostgreSQL has proven its worth for hybrid cloud computing and shall continue to do so!
