This is a getting started guide for MariaDB SkySQL. Let’s start with two prerequisites definitions:

1. MariaDB – MariaDB is an open-source relational database management system (RDBMS) that is a fork of MySQL, another popular open-source database system. It was created by the original developers of MySQL after concerns arose about the acquisition of MySQL by Oracle Corporation in 2010. MariaDB is designed to be a drop-in replacement for MySQL, which means that many applications and tools developed for MySQL can also work seamlessly with MariaDB without requiring significant changes. It retains much of the same syntax, APIs, and commands as MySQL, making the transition relatively straightforward for users.
2. MariaDB SkySQL – MariaDB SkySQL is a cloud-native Database as a Service (DBaaS) offering provided by MariaDB Corporation, the company behind the development of the MariaDB open-source database system. SkySQL is designed to simplify database management, deployment, and scaling by providing a fully managed and highly available MariaDB database solution in the cloud.

Some key features of MariaDB include:

1. High Performance: MariaDB incorporates optimizations and improvements to enhance query execution speed and overall performance.
2. Storage Engines: MariaDB supports multiple storage engines, including the popular InnoDB and Aria engines. Each engine has its own characteristics and performance attributes, allowing users to choose the one that best fits their requirements.
3. Security: MariaDB includes various security enhancements, such as data encryption at rest and in transit, improved authentication methods, and better access control mechanisms.
4. Open Source: MariaDB is fully open source, which means its source code is available for anyone to inspect, modify, and contribute to.
5. Community and Development: MariaDB has a vibrant and active community of developers and contributors who work on its continued development and improvement.
6. Compatibility: As mentioned earlier, MariaDB aims for compatibility with MySQL, allowing applications developed for MySQL to work with minimal changes.
7. Extensions: MariaDB introduces some features not present in MySQL, such as the Aria storage engine, thread pooling, and more advanced geographic information system (GIS) functionality.
8. Replication and Clustering: Like MySQL, MariaDB supports various replication methods and clustering solutions for high availability and fault tolerance.
9. Plugins: MariaDB offers a plugin architecture that allows users to add custom functionality and features to the database system.

To elaborate further on the specifics of MariaDB SkySQL, here are some of the features of the DBAAS (DataBase As A Service):

1. Managed Service: SkySQL takes care of database administration tasks such as provisioning, backup, monitoring, maintenance, and security updates. This allows users to focus more on their applications and less on managing the underlying database infrastructure.
2. High Availability: SkySQL offers built-in high availability configurations that ensure database uptime and data durability. This includes automatic failover and replication setups.
3. Scalability: SkySQL supports both vertical and horizontal scaling. Vertical scaling involves adjusting the resources of a single database instance, while horizontal scaling involves distributing data across multiple nodes for improved performance and capacity.
4. Security: Security features such as encryption at rest and in transit, role-based access control, and network security protocols are integrated to help protect sensitive data.
5. Multi-Cloud Support: SkySQL is designed to work across various cloud providers, enabling users to choose the cloud environment that best suits their needs. It supports popular cloud platforms like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP).
6. Compatibility: SkySQL maintains compatibility with the MariaDB database, which means applications developed for MariaDB can run seamlessly on SkySQL with minimal modifications.
7. Global Distributed Architecture: SkySQL offers the capability to deploy databases across multiple geographic regions for improved performance and data availability across different parts of the world.
8. Managed Upgrades: Regular updates and improvements to the MariaDB database engine are managed by the SkySQL service, ensuring that your databases remain up to date without manual intervention.
9. Pay-as-You-Go: SkySQL’s pricing model is typically based on usage, allowing users to pay for the resources they consume. This can be cost-effective for businesses as it eliminates the need to invest in and maintain dedicated database infrastructure.

Continue reading “MariaDB & SkySQL DBAAS” →