Database virtualization masks the physical location of a database from query programs, simplifying management, speeding up access, and reducing maintenance costs. Virtualized databases can exist on multiple computers and software types, with a virtualization layer controlling queries. Users benefit from faster access and reduced downtime, while administrators benefit from easy maintenance and automatic backup and replication.
Database virtualization focuses on using database software to mask the physical location and configuration of a database from query programs. Although the actual database used by the program may exist on multiple servers, the programs that use it see it as if it were a regular database. Using virtualization technology simplifies database management, makes databases faster, and reduces maintenance costs of large database systems.
Problems with standard databases
A standard database exists on a single computer. Database uses a single server or cluster of servers to store a set of information. This set expands and contracts as information is stored or removed. These types of databases are usually easy to maintain, but are less user-friendly because the number of concurrent users and database queries are limited by the power of the database hardware. Also, any problem with the computer or its network will make the database inaccessible.
Benefits of virtualization
Database virtualization alleviates some of these problems by decentralizing the database. A virtualized database can exist on multiple computers, in many locations, and on multiple types of database software. In essence, the database is made up of small pieces of database connected to the system.
Using levels
This process is made possible through something called a database virtualization layer. When a database is queried, it enters the software that makes up this layer. The tier then accesses a list of database parts and locations, finds the location that contains the information, and sends the request to that location. The initial query thinks the database virtualization layer is the actual database it talked to and reports the information as if nothing were different.
User benefits
Database virtualization is better for the people who use and manage the database. From the user’s point of view, he gets many benefits without making significant changes to the applications. The user can continue to use the same programs as before, as the database virtualization layer controls the queries rather than the system. Information is more quickly accessible than before because fewer people query the individual location. Finally, database downtime is reduced because the database is spread across many locations.
Benefits for the administrator
From an administrator’s point of view, database virtualization works very well. The database is already fragmented, so it’s easy to have every part of the database existing in multiple places at once. By replicating all sections of the database, it is easy to take individual sections offline for maintenance and repair. In the event of a computer or network failure, data is kept in alternate locations. This backup and replication process is largely automatic, performed by database virtualization software, freeing up time for the administrator to work on other things.
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