ExtenDB is a clustered database software system that functions on the basis of loosely-coupled architecture, thereby improving operational efficiency and scalability.
The ExtenDB Parallel Server is an enterprise-class, clustered database solution ideal for large-scale data warehousing and data marts. The software leverages open source databases running on PC-based commodity hardware nodes and intelligently coordinates work between them. The nodes are interconnected via Gigabit Ethernet and logically connected via the ExtenDB Network Messaging Layer.
The Distributed Data Domain is the repository of all Business Intelligence data that makes up the ExtenDB database. Each node has an assigned multi-threaded Node Agent that manages a pool of connections to the underlying database and executes commands sent from the designated coordinator node.
The ExtenDB Parallel Server loads Business Intelligence data into the Distributed Data Domain using an intelligent partitioning engine that uses a hash value to determine the destination of a specific row. The column that computes the hash value can be chosen by the Database Administrator as part of the overall schema strategy. Other tables may be designated as replicated lookup tables that distribute an exact copy of the table to all nodes in the cluster.
The ExtenDB Parallel Server's cost-based Optimizer uses the partitioning and replication information to determine an optimal strategy for processing queries by maximizing parallelism. It also avoids shipping rows of data on the network whenever possible. The efficient geography of partitioned customer data in the Distributed Data Domain lies at the core of the software's blistering performance and enterprise scalability.
The only major limitation is that ExtenDB Parallel Server is limited to four nodes. The software only requires the Java Runtime Environment 5 and PostgreSQL 8.1. The latest release includes a fix for some crucial bugs, including a bug where results were not always returned, a bug with batches, and a significant improvement to the performance of INSERT SELECT.
Overall, ExtenDB Parallel Server is an excellent choice for those looking for a cost-effective clustered database system that provides fast query response times and enterprise scalability.
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