How do we design the Database
Traditional approaches to database design have shifted over the years, with developers often given the freedom to choose and manage their preferred databases. While this approach aimed to increase productivity and expedite solution delivery, it has often led to unintended consequences. Developers tend to favor databases they are familiar with or those they want to showcase on their resumes. As a result, poorly deployed databases, lacking scalability, and limited organizational knowledge become common issues. Recognizing these challenges, XOOTS has adopted a pattern-based design and management approach to ensure consistent and effective database deployment.
At XOOTS, each database undergoes careful research and analysis, resulting in the creation of a deployment pattern. Accompanying this pattern is a comprehensive design document. Together, they form the foundation for managing and supporting the database throughout its lifecycle.
The pattern serves as a blueprint, ensuring databases are designed, deployed, and managed consistently. It encompasses various aspects, such as standard filesystems, parameters, use cases, monitoring, automation, naming standards, and security profiles. This approach guarantees that databases are configured and operated in a uniform and reliable manner.
The design document provides contextual information specific to each application’s requirements within the pattern. It addresses any variations needed and outlines application-specific schemas, procedural code, monitoring thresholds, and other crucial details. For example, the pattern may describe how monitoring is implemented, while the design document specifies the specific thresholds to be set. By distinguishing between the pattern and the design document, the database’s behavior and interaction with the application are clearly defined.
Once completed, the design document becomes a valuable resource shared among developers, security teams, Site Reliability Engineers (SREs), and other IT teams. This ensures everyone understands how to interact with the database and how it may deviate from the established pattern. Given the central role of the database in most applications, it is crucial that teams have a comprehensive understanding of its configuration and management
Adopting a pattern-based approach to database design, deployment, and management offers several benefits:
- Accelerated Deployment: Organizations can deploy databases more efficiently, leveraging pre-established patterns to expedite the setup process
- Faster and More Suitable Solutions: By adhering to a well-defined pattern, teams can develop solutions that are consistent, reliable, and aligned with organizational standards
- Enhanced Supportability: Consistency in design and management facilitates troubleshooting, monitoring, and overall supportability of the databases
The pattern-based design and management approach at XOOTS represents a shift towards a more structured and efficient database deployment process. By standardizing patterns and documenting design specifics, organizations can achieve faster and more supportable solutions. This approach ensures that databases are effectively managed, and teams across different disciplines have a clear understanding of the database’s configuration and behavior.