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Google is enabling AlloyDB, the PostgreSQL-compatible database, to run anywhere, including public cloud, on-premises servers, edge computing environments and even developer laptops. Branded as AlloyDB Omni, the engine is the same as AlloyDB, the cloud-based managed database announced last year.

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AlloyDB Omni promises compatibility with PostgreSQL, enhanced performance and support delivered by Google Cloud. Compared to the standard, open source PostgreSQL, AlloyDB Omni delivers 2x faster performance and 100x faster analytical queries. This is possible due to how Google has tuned, enhanced and optimized the database engine.

By analyzing a query's components, such as subqueries, joins, and filters, the AlloyDB Omni index advisor reduces the guesswork involved in tuning query performance. By periodically analyzing the workload on the database, it finds queries that could benefit from indexes, and suggests new indexes that could significantly improve query performance.

The other unique feature of AlloyDB Omni includes a columnar engine, which keeps frequently accessed data in an in-memory columnar format for quicker scans, joins, and aggregations. AlloyDB Omni automatically arranges the data and selects between columnar and row-based execution plans using machine learning. This capability delivers better performance without recreating queries targeting different formats.

AlloyDB Omni is packaged as a set of containers that can be deployed in a Debian-based or a Red Hat Enterprise Linux host. In its technical preview, Google is providing a set of shell scripts to automate the deployment. However, there is no guidance on deploying AlloyDB Omni in a Kubernetes cluster through Helm Chart or an operator. This may change when the software moves towards the general availability.

Google recommends deploying AlloyDB Omni on a machine or a VM with at least two CPUs and 16GB of memory. The machine should have Docker and Google Cloud SDK installed to pull the images of AlloyDB from Google Cloud Container Registry and the shell scripts uploaded to Google Cloud Storage. On a machine with prerequisites installed, it takes a couple of minutes to get AlloyDB Omni up and running.

Interestingly, Google doesnt mention Anthos as the preferred infrastructure for deploying AlloyDB Omni. Though the software is packaged as containers, it can run on any Linux machine with Docker installed.

AlloyDB Omni also supports the creation of read replicas - dedicated database servers optimized for read-only access. A replica server provides a read-only clone of the primary database server while continuously updating its own data to reflect changes made to the primary server's data. Read replicas significantly increases the throughput and availability of the database.

Google is investing in AlloyDB Omni to attract customers migrating their databases from legacy versions of Oracle and Microsoft SQL Server. With 100% compatibility with PostgreSQL, customers can take advantage of the migration tools and the expertise available in the ecosystem. The other use case is running an optimized database at the edge. Customers can ingest IoT device data into AlloyDB for querying and analyzing the telemetry data of various sensors. Similar to BigQuery Omni, enterprises can run a Google Cloud-managed database in other cloud environments such as AWS and Azure. It will simplify the integration of data services while reducing the bandwidth cost involved in moving the data across clouds.

Google is not the only public cloud provider to bring a cloud-based managed database to multicloud and on-premises. Microsoft announced Azure Arc-enabled SQL Server and Azure Arc-enabled PostgreSQL in 2020. Based on Azure Arc, Microsoft has packaged these databases as Kubernetes deployments. Enterprises with Arc-enabled Kubernetes can easily deploy SQL Server and PostgreSQL on their clusters.

Scaling AlloyDB Omni to the cloud-based version is straightforward. Like any other migration, customers can export the data in a CSV, DMP or SQL format and import that data into an AlloyDB instance running in Google Cloud. For lift-and-shift scenarios, Google recommends using the Database Migration Service, which is currently in preview.

With a clear migration plan to the cloud-based AlloyDB based on the recently announced Database Migration Service, Google hopes to drive the adoption of its Data Cloud through AlloyDB Omni.

Janakiram MSV is an analyst, advisor and an architect at Janakiram & Associates. He was the founder and CTO of Get Cloud Ready Consulting, a niche cloud migration and cloud operations firm that got acquired by Aditi Technologies. Through his speaking, writing and analysis, he helps businesses take advantage of the emerging technologies.

Janakiram is one of the first few Microsoft Certified Azure Professionals in India. He is one of the few professionals with Amazon Certified Solution Architect, Amazon Certified Developer and Amazon Certified SysOps Administrator credentials. Janakiram is a Google Certified Professional Cloud Architect. He is recognised by Google as the Google Developer Expert (GDE) for his subject matter expertise in cloud and IoT technologies. He is awarded the title of Most Valuable Professional and Regional Director by Microsoft Corporation. Janakiram is an Intel Software Innovator, an award given by Intel for community contributions in AI and IoT. Janakiram is a guest faculty at the International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT-H) where he teaches Big Data, Cloud Computing, Containers, and DevOps to the students enrolled for the Master's course. He is an Ambassador for The Cloud Native Computing Foundation.

Janakiram was a senior analyst with Gigaom Research analyst network where he analyzed the cloud services landscape. During his 18 years of corporate career, Janakiram worked at world-class product companies including Microsoft Corporation, Amazon Web Services and Alcatel-Lucent. His last role was with AWS as the technology evangelist where he joined them as the first employee in India. Prior to that, Janakiram spent over 10 years at Microsoft Corporation where he was involved in selling, marketing and evangelizing the Microsoft application platform and tools. At the time of leaving Microsoft, he was the cloud architect focused on Azure.

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Google Brings PostgreSQL-Compatible AlloyDB To Multicloud, Data Centers And The Edge - Forbes

The development of cloud computing technology has revolutionized business operations worldwide. Companies use cloud computing to process and store data so employees can access them anywhere. Unfortunately, this convenience is accompanied by security challenges companies should address to keep sensitive information and intellectual property safe.

A Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) is a reliable solution to this problem. Cloud Access Security Brokers can provide protection, visibility, and control to cloud-based data and applications.

These features are essential to business cybersecurity because it prevents unwanted parties from accessing vital company data. This reduces the risk of sensitive information leaking to the public or being stolen and sold to a competitor.

Features of a Cloud Access Security Broker

A Cloud Access Security Broker is an intermediary between an organizations IT infrastructure and its cloud-based applications and services. By using CASB, companies will have visibility into their cloud usage. They will also be able to prevent security incidents like DDoS attacks, ransomware attacks, and data breaches. Here is a complete list of features businesses will benefit from integrating CASB into their cloud security framework.

Company executives will have oversight into the usage of their cloud-based applications so they can track employee activities on these applications. This oversight helps management teams identify security risks and take prompt actions to curb them before they get out of hand.

CASBs can detect, block, and report unauthorized entry and data exfiltration attempts to a companys cybersecurity team so they can take other precautionary measures if necessary. A CASB will also give an organization control over the usage of its cloud servers so it can enforce its cybersecurity policies. Controlling employee cloud server access will prevent data loss and help them adhere to government data regulations.

Cloud Access Security Brokers offer protection against cyber attacks. They use machine learning and behavioral analytics to detect suspicious activity and discover signs that indicate the presence of cyber threats. CASBs also scan traffic moving in and out of cloud servers for malware and other harmful content, so they can be blocked and quarantined before reaching their destination.

Governments require companies to protect consumer data. Using a CASB to prevent data breaches and unwanted data access ensures an organization complies with the regulations. This will help them avoid hefty fines and sanctions and preserve their reputation in the public eye.

As companies expand their operations, it might become challenging to maintain oversight and control of their cloud servers. Fortunately, CASBs allow for scalability so businesses of all sizes can get the cloud protection they need. They can be integrated with other security tools and service providers to create a more robust cybersecurity system.

Endnote

Many businesses use cloud-based services and applications to streamline their operations and make it easy for employees to access files needed for their jobs. However, this can lead to data leaks and exposure to malware which will endanger the system. Using a security tool like CASB will provide threat protection and protect companies from unauthorized entries to their cloud servers.

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Strengthening Business Cybersecurity With CASB - WebProNews

New IBM z16 and IBM LinuxONE Rockhopper 4 options are designed to provide a modern, flexible hybrid cloud platform to support digital transformation for a range of IT environments

Consolidating Linux workloads on an IBM LinuxONE Rockhopper 4 instead of running them on compared x86 servers with similar conditions and location can reduce energy consumption by 75% and space by 67% and is designed to help clients reach their sustainability goals1

ARMONK, N.Y., April 4, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- IBM (NYSE: IBM)today unveiled new single frame and rack mount configurations of IBM z16and IBM LinuxONE 4, expanding their capabilities to a broader range of data center environments. Based on IBM's Telum processor, the new options are designed with sustainability in mind for highly efficient data centers, helping clients adapt to a digitized economy and ongoing global uncertainty.

Introduced in April 2022, the IBM z16 multi frame has helped transform industries with real-time AI inferencing at scale and quantum-safe cryptography. IBM LinuxONE Emperor 4, launched in September 2022, features capabilities that can reduce both energy consumption and data center floor space while delivering the scale, performance and security that clients need.The new single frame and rack mount configurations expand client infrastructure choices and help bring these benefits to data center environments where space, sustainability and standardization are paramount.

"IBM remains at the forefront of innovation to help clients weather storms generated by an ever-changing market," said Ross Mauri, General Manager, IBM zSystems and LinuxONE. "We're protecting clients' investments in existing infrastructure while helping them to innovate with AI and quantum-safe technologies. These new options let companies of all sizes seamlessly co-locate IBM z16 and LinuxONE Rockhopper 4 with distributed infrastructure, bringing exciting capabilities to those environments."

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Designed for today's changing IT environment to enable new use cases

Organizations in every industry are balancing an increasing number of challenges to deliver integrated digital services. According to a recent IBM Transformation Index report, among those surveyed, security, managing complex environments and regulatory compliance were cited as challenges to integrating workloads in a hybrid cloud. These challenges can be compounded by more stringent environmental regulations and continuously rising costs.

"We have seen immense value from utilizing the IBM z16 platform in a hybrid cloud environment," said Bo Gebbie, president, Evolving Solutions. "Leveraging these very secure systems for high volume transactional workloads, combined with cloud-native technologies, has enabled greater levels of agility and cost optimization for both our clients' businesses and our own."

The new IBM z16 and LinuxONE 4 offerings are built for the modern data center to help optimize flexibility and sustainability, with capabilities for partition-level power monitoring and additional environmental metrics. For example, consolidating Linux workloads on an IBM LinuxONE Rockhopper 4 instead of running them on compared x86 servers with similar conditions and location can reduce energy consumption by 75 percent and space by 67 percent.1These new configurations are engineered to deliver the same hallmark IBM security and transaction processing at scale.

Designed and tested to the same internal qualifications as the IBM z16 high availability portfolio2, the new rack-optimized footprint is designed for use with client-owned, standard 19-inch racks and power distribution units. This new footprint opens opportunities to include systems in distributed environments with other servers, storage, SAN and switches in one rack, designed to optimize both co-location and latency for complex computing, such as training AI models.

Installing these configurations in the data center can help create a new class of use cases, including:

Sustainable design: Easier integration into hot or cold aisle thermal management data center configurations with common data center power and cooling

Optimizing AI solutions: With on-chip AI inferencing and the newest IBM z/OS 3.1, whether rack mount, single frame or multi frame configurations, clients can train or deploy AI models very close to where data resides, allowing clients to optimize AI

Data privacy: Support data sovereignty for regulated industries with compliance and governance restrictions on data location, routing local transactions through local data centers with optimized rack mount efficiency

Edge computing: Enable more efficient rack utilization in limited rack space near manufacturing, healthcare devices, or other edge devices

Securing data on the industry's most available systems3

For critical industries, like healthcare, financial services, government and insurance, a secure, available IT environment is key to delivering high quality service to customers. IBM z16 and LinuxONE 4 are engineered to provide the highest levels of reliability in the industry, 99.99999% availability to support mission-critical workloads as part of a hybrid cloud strategy. These high availability levels help companies maintain consumer access to bank accounts, medical records and personal data. Emerging threats require protection, and the new configurations offer security capabilities that include confidential computing, centralized key management and quantum-safe cryptography to help thwart bad actors planning to "harvest now, decrypt later."

"IBM z16 and LinuxONE systems are known for security, resiliency and transaction processing at scale," said Matt Eastwood, SVP, WW Research, IDC. "Clients can now access the same security and resiliency standards in new environments with the single frame and rack mount configurations, giving them flexibility in the data center. Importantly, this also opens up more business opportunity for partners who will be able to reach an expanded audience by integrating IBM zSystems and LinuxONE capabilities to their existing footprints."

With the IBM Ecosystem of zSystems ISV partners, IBM is working to address compliance and cybersecurity. For clients that run data serving, core banking and digital assets workloads, an optimal compliance and security posture is key to protecting sensitive personal data and existing technology investments.

"High processing speed and artificial intelligence are key to moving organizations forward," said Adi Hazan, director ofAnalycat. "IBM zSystems and LinuxONE added the security and power that we needed to address new clients, use cases and business benefits. The native speed of our AI on this platform was amazing and we are excited to introduce the IBM LinuxONE offerings to our clients with large workloads to consolidate and achieve corporate sustainability goals."

IBM Business Partners can learn more about the skills required to install, deploy, service and resell single frame and rack mount configurations in this blog.

Complementary Technology Lifecycle Support Services

With the new IBM LinuxONE Rockhopper 4 servers, IBM will offer IBM LinuxONE Expert Care. IBM Expert Care integrates and prepackages hardware and software support services into a tiered support model, helping organizations to choose the right fit of services. This support for LinuxONE Rockhopper 4 will offer enhanced value to clients with predictable maintenance costs and reduced deployment and operating risk.

The new IBM z16 and LinuxONE 4 single frame and rack mount options, supported by LinuxONE Expert Care, will be generally available globally[4] from IBM and certified business partners beginning on May 17, 2023. To learn more:

On April 4, at 10 am ET, join IBM clients and partners for behind-the-scenes access to the new IBM z16 single frame and rack mount configurations

On April 17, at 10 am ET, join IBM clients and partners for a deep dive on industry trends, such as sustainability and cybersecurity during the IBM LinuxONE single frame and rack mount virtual event

Check out a preview of the newest version of z/OS, which is designed to scale the value of data and drive digital transformation powered by AI and intelligent automation

About IBMIBM is a leading global hybrid cloud and AI, and business services provider, helping clients in more than 175 countries capitalize on insights from their data, streamline business processes, reduce costs and gain the competitive edge in their industries.Nearly 3,800 government and corporate entities in critical infrastructure areas such as financial services, telecommunications and healthcare rely on IBM's hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift to affect their digital transformations quickly, efficiently, and securely.IBM's breakthrough innovations in AI, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions and business services deliver open and flexible options to our clients.All of this is backed by IBM's legendary commitment to trust, transparency, responsibility, inclusivity, and service. For more information, visitwww.ibm.com

Media Contact:Ashley Petersonashley.peterson@ibm.com

1 DISCLAIMER: Compared IBM Machine Type 3932 Max 68 model consisting of a CPC drawer and an I/O drawer to support network and external storage with 68 IFLs and 7 TB of memory in 1 frame versus compared 36 x86 servers (2 Skylake Xeon Gold Chips, 40 Cores) with a total of 1440 cores. IBM Machine Type 3932 Max 68 model power consumption was measured on systems and confirmed using the IBM Power estimator for the IBM Machine Type 3932 Max 68 model configuration. x86 power values were based on Feb. 2023 IDC QPI power values and reduced to 55% based on measurements of x86 servers by IBM and observed values in the field. The x86 server compared to uses approximately .6083 KWhr, 55% of IDC QPI system watts value. Savings assumes the Worldwide Data Center Power Utilization Effectiveness (PUE) factor of 1.55 to calculate the additional power needed for cooling. PUE is based on Uptime Institute 2022 Global Data Center Survey (https://uptimeinstitute.com/resources/research-and-reports/uptime-institute-global-data-center-survey-results-2022). x86 system space calculations require 3 racks. Results may vary based on client-specific usage and location.2 DISCLAIMER: All the IBM z16 Rack Mount components are tested via same process requirements as the IBM z16 traditional Single Frame components. Comprehensive testing includes a wide range of voltage, frequency, temperature testing.3 Source: Information Technology Intelligence Consulting Corp. (ITIC). 2022. Global Server Hardware, Server OS Reliability Survey. https://www.ibm.com/downloads/cas/BGARGJRZ4 Check local availability for rack mount here.

IBM Corporation logo. (PRNewsfoto/IBM)

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Modern applications require data, and that data usually needs to be globally available, easily accessible and served with reliable performance expectations. Today, much of the heavy lifting happens behind the scenes. Lets look at why the cloud factors into the importance of data replication for business applications.

What is data replication? Simply put, it is a set of processes to keep additional copies of data available for emergencies, backups or to meet performance requirements. Copies may be done in duplicate, triplicate or more depending on the potential risk of a failure or the geographic spread of an applications user base.

These multiple pieces of data may be chopped up into smaller pieces and spread around a server, network, data center or continent. This ensures data is always available and performance is unfailing in a scalable way.

There are many reasons for building applications that understand replication, with or without cloud support. These are basic topics that any developer has had to deal with, but they are even more important when applications go global and/or mobile. Then they need ways to keep data secure and located efficiently.

These particular areas are commonly discussed when talking about cloud data replication:

This refers to making sure all data is ready for use when requested, with the latest versions and updates. Availability is affected when concurrent sessions do not share or replicate their data effectively. By replicating the latest changes to other nodes or servers, it should be instantly available to users who are accessing those other nodes.

Keeping a master copy is important, but it is equally important to keep that copy up to date as much as possible for all users. This means also keeping child nodes up to date with the master node so everyone stays up to date.

Data replication helps reduce latency of applications by keeping copies of data close to the end user of the application. Modern cloud applications are built on top of different networks often located in geographic regions where their user base is most active. While the overhead of keeping copies synchronized and copied might seem extreme, the positive impact on the end-user experience cannot be overstated they expect their data to be close by and ready for use. If local servers have to go around the globe to fetch their data, the outcome is high latency and poor user experience.

Replication is especially important for backup and disaster management purposes, such as when a node goes down. Replicas that were synchronized can then help recover data on new nodes that may be added due to a recent failure. When a data infrastructure requires too much manual copying of data during a failure, there are bound to be issues.

Failover of broken resources can be automated more fully when there are multiple replicas available, especially in different geographic regions that may not be affected by a regional disaster. Applications that can leverage data replication can also take care to preserve user data; otherwise, they risk losing information when a device breaks or a data center is destroyed.

Some see data replication as something nice to have, but as you can see, its not only about backup and disaster management; its also about application performance. There are other benefits as well that you can find as part of enterprise disaster management and performance plans.

The backend systems of a data replication system help keep copies of data spread around and redundant. This requires multiple nodes in the form of clusters that can communicate internally to keep data aligned. Adding a new cluster, a new node or new piece of data would then be automatically synchronized with other nodes to replicate it.

But the application level also needs to understand how the replication works. While a form-based app might just want a set of database tables, it must also understand that the source database has replicas available. Applications must know how to synchronize data it has just collected, as in a mobile app, so other users will have access.

The smaller pieces of data that are synchronized are often known as partitions. Different partitions go on different hardware storage pools, racks, networks, data centers, continents, etc., so they are not all exposed to a single point of failure.

The potential for complexity is often the limiting factor for companies seeking to implement data replication. Having frontend and backend systems that handle it transparently is essential.

As you can see, data replication does not explicitly depend on using cloud resources. Enterprises have been using their internal networks for decades with some of the same benefits. But with the addition of cloud-based resources, the opportunity to have extremely high availability and performance is easier than ever.

Traditional data replication has now been extended beyond just replicating from a PC to a network or between two servers. Instead, applications can replicate to a global network of endpoints that serve multiple purposes.

Traditionally, replication was used to preserve data in case of a failure. For example, replicas could be copied to a node if there was a failure, but replicas could not be used directly by an application.

Cloud data replication extends the traditional approach by sending data to multiple cloud-based data services that stay in sync with one another.

Todays cloud services allow us to add yet another rung on this replication ladder, allowing replication between multiple clouds. This adds another layer of redundancy and reduces the risk of vendor lock-in. Hybrid cloud options also bring local enterprise data services into the mix with the cloud-based providers serving as redundant copies of a master system.

As you can imagine, there are multiple ways to diagram all these interconnections and layers of redundancy. This diagram shows a few of the common models.

(Source: Couchbase)

Though the potential for an unbreakable data solution is more possible than ever, it can also become complicated quickly. Hybrid cloud-based architectures have to accommodate many edge cases and variables that make it challenging for developers to build on their own.

Ideally, your data management backend can already handle this for you. Systems must expose options in an easy-to-understand way so that architects and developers can have confidence and reduce risk.

For example, we built Couchbase from the ground up as a multinode, multicloud replication environment so you wouldnt have to. Built-in options include easily adding/removing nodes, failing over broken nodes easily, connecting to cloud services, etc. This allows developers to select options and architectures they need for balancing availability and performance for their applications.

Couchbases cross datacenter replication (XDCR) technology enables organizations to deploy geo-distributed applications with high availability in any environment (on premises, public and private cloud, or hybrid cloud). XDCR offers data redundancy across sites to guard against catastrophic data-center failures. It also enables deployments for globally distributed applications.

Read our whitepaper, High Availability and Disaster Recovery for Globally Distributed Data, for more information on the various topologies and approaches that we recommend.

Ready to try the benefits of cloud data replication with your own applications? Get started with Couchbase Capella:

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Why Cloud Data Replication Matters - The New Stack