Cloud Databases

Posted on September 30, 2022 by way0utwest

Most of us are used to a database that lives on a server somewhere. It might be in our data center or a VM that exists somewhere, but it’s really an on-premises type of infrastructure. Even if the VM is in AWS or Azure, this is a single system on a server that we control. We can add HA capabilities to this system, but the model is the same as if the database were on our development workstation.

Note: this doesn’t matter if this is an RDBMS like SQL Server or PostgreSQL or a NoSQL type system, such as MongoDB or Neo4J.

That’s a comfortable system, and it’s how we’ve built many applications over the years that support our business processes. Many of us default to architecting and thinking about our applications with this model.

These days there are cloud databases, which can be used in this model, but which also have other capabilities. I ran across a piece that noted cloud databases ought to be a part of our modern tech stack, and I tend to agree. These days the need to be more flexible, available, and secure are important for applications. An on-premises database might not meet these needs.

A cloud database is typically a system designed to be more of a PaaS service, with replication, built-in HA, scaling, and more. Azure SQL Database might be considered cloud-native, but I think it lacks some of the features that we might take advantage of in CosmosDB, Couchbase, or CockroachDB. Things like the availability from various types of connections, quick and easy failover and sync from different regions around the world, and low latency for users anywhere.

A few examples are in the article, and I see these types of requirements coming about more and more often as our clients start connecting from different devices in different locales, and at scales that are harder to handle with a single on-premises (or clustered) database system. While you might be able to handle the workload, is it worth it for you to manage some of the infrastructure and administration that a cloud vendor can do instead?

That is why I think you ought to learn about and understand where a cloud database might be useful. While not all of us have clients all over the world needing real-time access from various devices and applications, we might grow into that need. Whether it’s clients that are employees or customers, there are increasing demands for flexible ways to handle the growing workloads on our databases. You want to be prepared for when you might exceed the capabilities of the platform you’re used to,  that way you can decide when adopting a cloud database might make sense.

Steve Jones

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Daily Coping 30 Sep 2022

Posted on September 30, 2022 by way0utwest

Today’s coping tip is to find a new way to use one of your strengths or talents.

I asked someone for strengths recently. Most of those items are things that I use regularly in the same way. However, I did use one in a new way recently.

I am a hugger. Usually it’s a hello or goodbye hug with friends. Sometimes it’s a sympathetic hug for family when they’re down or sad. Recently I changed that.

I was at the gym for yoga and another guy was there, venting a bit about some struggles with the instructor. I see him there often, and I’ve said hi, but I don’t know him well. However, it just occurred to me to say “sorry” and ask if he needed a hug. He looked at me a bit strangely, but said sure.

I gave him one of my strong, long hugs. I try to hug for at least 5 seconds, and often 10. If you’ve never hugged someone for 10sec, try it. It’s great.

I started to add a daily coping tip to the SQL Server Central newsletter and to the Community Circle, which is helping me deal with the issues in the world. I’m adding my responses for each day here. All my coping tips are under this tag.

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Electric Taxies in London (No Teslas)

Posted on September 30, 2022 by way0utwest

Not part of my Tesla series, but this is related as I had an interesting electric car experience while traveling in London.

This is part of a series that covers my experience with a Tesla Model Y.

Booking Uber

I have known people using Teslas as taxis or Ubers, and I rode in one in Antwerp, but it was luck of the draw. The same thing happened in London, but it was a more interesting experience.

I was staying at Heathrow Airport, which is well West of London. I had an engagement in the center of London, at the Tower Bridge. A Google map shows this to be a 20 mile journey, but 90 minutes, traffic is bad. In a gas car, without enough fuel, this could be disconcerting. However, it works well for electric cars since minimal power is lost sitting in traffic.

Outbound East

It was an all electric day in London. I booked an Uber from LHR to the Tower Bridge. As it happened there was a Kia e-Niro that responded quickly. I got in and started chatting with the driver. He had been using the car for 10 months as an Uber and was very happy.

The car drove well, was well sized for 4 adults. I think 5 would be cramped a bit as it’s narrower than the Model Y. It was fairly comfortable for me in the back, but the seats were a little thinner and harder than Tesla seats. The car had quick acceleration but not Tesla quick. I’m glad as the driver would quickly accelerate when there was space in roads and Tesla levels would have me jerking around.

The finish felt a little cheaper and definitely not luxurious. Not sure it’s worth it. Starting at $40, maybe. Perhaps the $45 Premium is better, and since a Model Y is now $60, perhaps. I have to think more about this.

The driver said range was 200-220 for him and the cat had worked well as an Uber. He could go quite a few hours before charging and there was plenty of places to charge. He said charging was about 0.50p UK per kW, so for his 60Wh batter, that’s 30 pounds sterling. Not cheap, but a lot cheaper than petrol. He also said that he tended to run to about 20% and charge to 70-80, depending on time. Usually having a coffee and a short walking break. Not a bad idea.

Returning West

My return was a Nissan Leaf. Again, I didn’t pick this, it just happened to be close. It’s still 20ish miles, but a 90 minute drive from the Tower Bridge. I have a friend with an older Leaf, which gets about 80 miles on a charge, but the newer ones go over 150miles.

This driver wasn’t fazed. He’s had his over a year and it works for him. Again, he takes a few fares, then stops for coffee and charging. This was definitely a smaller and cheaper car, with much less acceleration, or at least the driver didn’t bother trying to hurry. The finish was cheaper, and felt like an economy car.

I haven’t been sure these cars would make sense for constant use but these two were finding ways to make it work. Apparently there is good charging infrastructure in London that works well enough for people to use electric cabs.

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Daily Coping 29 Sep 2022

Posted on September 29, 2022 by way0utwest

Today’s coping tip is to avoid saying “I should” and make time to do nothing, or do something fun.

I’m writing this ahead of time, and I am doing this. I’m prepping for travel and vacation, and I’m busy. Lots of deadlines and things to get ready. However, this is also a day that I can go see a kid play volleyball that I used to coach. It’s an indulgence, and rather than saying “I should work more”, I’m doing that.

Today in real life I’m at IDC London, so I’m commuting through London and giving two talks. Not a day to do nothing or something that might be fun.

I started to add a daily coping tip to the SQL Server Central newsletter and to the Community Circle, which is helping me deal with the issues in the world. I’m adding my responses for each day here. All my coping tips are under this tag.

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