2 EDB Ark - Overview

EDB Ark simplifies the process of provisioning robust Postgres deployments, while taking advantage of the benefits of cloud computing. When used with Advanced Server, EDB Ark also provides a platform with compatibility with the Oracle database, offering dramatic cost savings and competitive advantages.

A cloud is a collection of virtual machines; each virtual machine runs a separate copy of an operating system and an installation of Postgres (see Figure 2.1).

Figure 2.1 - Using EDB Ark in a Private Cloud.

You can specify different combinations of CPU speed, RAM, and disk space to suit your needs when provisioning an EDB Ark cluster. EDB Ark makes it easy to scale up to a more capable cluster, or scale down as your requirements change.

EDB Ark solves common challenges faced by businesses that need more agility, velocity, and thrift in deploying and using relational, ACID-compliant databases:

•	Develop / Test / Deploy. Quickly create and delete Postgres databases with standard configurations to support software development and testing activities, then deploy applications to the database or cluster – all at a pace dramatically quicker than physical provisioning.

•	Workload Portability. The same Postgres database trusted in the datacenter also runs in a cloud cluster with scalability and high-availability.

•	Enterprise-class power. Postgres was designed to solve critical business challenges requiring reliable, high-performance, ACID-compliant database processing. As the only open source database meeting those requirements, it offers an extremely attractive alternative to more expensive options.

EDB Ark includes the following functionality:

•	Scale computing resources up and out. EDB Ark automatically scales up storage capacity, and provides a simple button to scale your server class up when data processing loads and usage characteristics require a change in the underlying virtual machine resources.

•	Automatic Connection Pooling and Load Balancing. EDB Ark maintains a cluster of database nodes, automatically scaling out replicas based on increasing user demand. The integrated connection pooling manager increases database read performance by distributing requests across all cluster members.

•	Self-Healing Failover. EDB Ark automatically replaces downed database nodes, preserving the continuity and performance of the cluster. Users can choose to replace the master with a new master (preserving all committed transactions) or with a promoted replica (for faster recovery time).

•	Automatic Online backup. EDB Ark uses user-directed rotating backups to protect your data from loss due to mishaps

•	Supports data encryption. EDB Ark offers SSL data encryption that protects data at rest, and is transparent to connecting clients.

•	Cost-saving Compatibility with the Oracle Database. Using a database that is compatible with Oracle is a reliable, fast and cost-effective way to support Oracle applications in public and private clouds.

•	Web-based interface. EDB Ark provides easy to use point-and-click cluster lifecycle management from start to finish from your favorite web browser.

•	Database Cloning. EDB Ark allows you to quickly and easily create developer 'sandboxes' based on real production data, saving System Administrators setup, configuration and data load time.

•	Professional Postgres Support. EnterpriseDB provides support from Postgres experts who work with top Postgres open source developers.

•	JSON Compatible API Support. EDB Ark supports a JSON-compatible API.