Migrating to NoSQL – MongoDB

Data Shards

Article from Issue 153/2013
Author(s):

MongoDB combines the usual advantages of NoSQL databases with sharding, load balancing, replication, and failover.

Many products describe themselves with the NoSQL label. MongoDB [1] is arguably the most popular of these because it has seen incredible developer adoption. The NoSQL concept has advanced through the technology hype cycle [2], including wild claims about scalability [3], and MongoDB is making its way up the slope of enlightenment, having dealt with the trough of fear, uncertainty, and doubt [4]. With the help of 10gen, the MongoDB company, the product is now well on its way to addressing the enterprise market; however, what does that mean for you? Why should you migrate to MongoDB, and how should you do so?

After having switched an in-production app from MySQL to MongoDB back in early 2009, before even version 1.0 of MongoDB had been released, my company database now processes more than 20TB of data each month. With this experience under my belt, I'm going to cover several important areas that should help you understand when to consider switching to MongoDB.

Client Libraries

Like MySQL, Postgres, or most other databases, MongoDB is language agnostic and provides a custom wire protocol that you use to talk to the database. Some NoSQL databases operate over plain HTTP, so although having a wire protocol means using a custom driver [5], it does offer advantages, such as lower overhead and a query language implementation that makes sense to whatever programming language you're working with.

[...]

Use Express-Checkout link below to read the full article (PDF).

Buy this article as PDF

Express-Checkout as PDF
Price $2.95
(incl. VAT)

Buy Linux Magazine

SINGLE ISSUES
 
SUBSCRIPTIONS
 
TABLET & SMARTPHONE APPS
Get it on Google Play

US / Canada

Get it on Google Play

UK / Australia

Related content

  • Graylog

    System logs offer clues for tracking intruders and troubleshooting problems. If you're in charge of a whole network, wouldn't you rather monitor all your logs from a single central point? Graylog and its companion components let you manage all your logs from a single interface.

  • Data Management

    Open source database management systems offer greater flexibility and lower costs while avoiding vendor lock-in. Finding the right one depends on your project's needs.

  • PostgreSQL

    PostgreSQL, an open source object-relational database management system known for its reliability and extensibility, offers a robust feature set. If you are new to PostgreSQL, we help you get started with some of its most useful features.

  • FAQ

    Big data is like The Matrix – Better without the sequel

  • Meteor

    The Meteor web framework lets you do all your programming in JavaScript – and it includes some useful features for rapid development.

comments powered by Disqus
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters

Support Our Work

Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.

Learn More

News