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As databases grow, it’s only natural that the infrastructure sustaining them needs to be able to support this expansion. Servers act as the foundation of modern databases, and so they must provide enough power and speed for fast query handling and transaction processing.
Latency and low performance can lead to application glitches and slow load times, frustrating users and piling up the problems for operations and development teams. What’s the answer, then? Also, is there a specific type of server, dedicated solely to your application, that can cope with the demands of database hosting?
Enter bare metal servers as the solution to your database hosting needs. But what exactly is bare metal hosting? Similar to dedicated servers, bare metal servers are physical computer units that host a single user. Originally, they were the only type of server available. However, shared server options and, later on, cloud services became more mainstream.
The clue is in the name. Bare metal servers run directly on the hardware itself, and therefore, they require no virtualization layer. This provides direct access to CPU, memory, and storage, which in turn ensures faster queries and stable performance.
Control of resource allocation and customization of security features is also possible, which makes bare metal servers the ideal choice for high-performance databases.
Although their mechanisms are similar, bare metal servers offer a higher level of control. Opting for a dedicated server gives you the power and memory of a single-tenant server, all to yourself.
However, the hosting provider may set certain restrictions, such as pre-installed software or hardware upgrades.
Another difference between the two is that users can choose either a managed or an unmanaged dedicated server. Again, this difference is down to control. If you prefer to have full control over server updates, handling them yourself, then unmanaged or bare metal servers are a better option.
Unlike both dedicated and bare metal servers, shared servers distribute the resources from a single computer unit among multiple users. While sharing servers considerably slashes the costs of hosting, it means that power and space are also divided up between users.
But how does this affect databases, you might ask? Databases are known for depending on high I/O (input/output) performance to handle fast query processing without latency.
The risk with using a shared server is that CPU, memory, and other resources are split between multiple users. During peak usage times, your platform could experience delays and unpredictable performance.
Databases require speed and stability to ensure quick access to information without experiencing frustrating lags and slowness. That’s why many users opt for bare metal servers, as they can promise numerous benefits to database performance.
As your database doesn’t have to share resources with other users, there is no competition for processing power. Therefore, queries return quicker results, which in turn improves user experience.
Power isn’t the only resource you will get all to yourself with a bare metal server. Users also benefit from direct access to high-speed storage. This helps databases read and write data at much faster speeds, boosting efficiency.
During peak usage periods, shared servers can offer patchy performance, such as outages and other issues. The beauty of bare metal servers is that users can expect steady and consistent performance, so they needn’t worry about slowdowns as a result of other users on the server vying for resources.
Without an added software layer, users have direct access to hardware. What this means is that data can be retrieved more quickly, leading to faster response times.
In addition to providing high performance, bare metal servers offer other perks for users. From customization and control through to enhanced security features, these servers can be optimized to power your database needs.
With shared servers, there is little room for building a bespoke hosting environment for your platform, application, or database. A custom bare metal server, on the other hand, is a blank canvas that you can tailor to your specific database needs.
Users have complete control over hardware configuration with bare metal server hosting. For example, more servers can be added as the database grows, or users can opt to ramp up RAM for memory-intensive tasks.
The management of databases requires a stringent security protocol to prevent breaches and the release of personal data. With shared servers, a cyber attack against another user can also leave others sharing the server vulnerable. Physically, a bare metal server isolates a single user from the weaknesses of others’ security settings.
In addition to isolation, security features such as firewalls and customized access controls can be configured to meet the specific security requirements of your database. If the data is of a sensitive nature, such as patient information in the healthcare sector, higher levels of security offer users and their customers peace of mind.
Security is not only governed by what a user sees fit for their database. Compliance with national or industry regulations also dictates how data should be handled and stored. As the data is isolated, this simplifies compliance as the data is easier to audit.
With a wide range of benefits, it seems like bare metal hosting is king among servers. However, this title comes with added responsibilities. Like a kingdom, bare metal servers require expert management. But, before all that, there’s the establishment of the unit itself to consider. Here are a few tips to help you create the ideal server environment for your database.
Unsure whether to opt for Intel Bare Metal Servers or AMD Bare Metal Servers? This is another consideration you need to make when configuring your bare metal server. Which one you go for will depend on your workload and performance needs. Though there really is a small gap between the two.
AMD EPYC processors are catching up with the ever-popular Intel Xeon servers. AMD offers 64 cores per CPU, which makes it ideal for data-heavy tasks and virtualization. Intel has historically been widely supported by software vendors, reducing the incidence of incompatibility and ensuring stable performance.
Comprising two CPUs, a 36-core bare metal server can handle many queries all at once. For extremely demanding tasks and larger databases, this option maintains a fast level of responsiveness even under the strain of heavy workloads.
The term RAID may stand out when exploring options for server storage. RAID (redundant array of independent disks) comes in various configurations and combines multiple hard drives into a single unit.
RAID 1 provides data protection, while RAID 0 offers drive performance. RAID 10 or 1+0 gives you the best of both worlds and is recommended for tasks requiring high disk performance.
Which network bandwidth to go for will hinge on your workload. For the transfer of large amounts of data, the bigger the bandwidth available to you, the better. Uploads and downloads of data all contribute to bandwidth use.
Bandwidth can also be metered, meaning there is a set amount of terabytes that can be transferred in a period of time, or unmetered.
Think of a metered bandwidth plan like a mobile phone contract; if you go over, you pay the excess. For users who don’t want the constraints of a set plan and transfer large amounts of data, unmetered bandwidth is a preferable option.
In the case of bare metal servers, the operating system (OS) is installed directly on the hardware, giving you full control. There is no need for a virtualization layer in this instance.
Operating systems, Linux and Windows, offer several versions to choose from, depending on your requirements. Look for a high-performance operating system such as Ubuntu or Rocky Linux.
Now you know more about bare metal servers, it’s time to define your needs and better understand your priorities. If consistently high performance with little to no latency is the goal, bare metal hosting may indeed be the right choice for your database.
Moreover, databases requiring the protection of strong security features will also benefit from bare metal hosting.
Having decided that bare metal server hosting is the best option for your database needs, the next step is to find a provider. Providers offering transparent pricing and services, backed up by positive customer service testimonials, should make the shortlist.
If you choose an unmanaged bare metal hosting service, be sure to check whether the provider offers 24/7 customer support. This gives you the peace of mind that if anything should go awry on their end, there is always a human point of contact to help.
