NoSQL databases introduced many innovations including scale-out architecture which allows for growing a database deployment over inexpensive, commodity hardware. Relational databases, in contrast, requires you to buy a bigger, more expensive server in order to scale.
The lower cost is just one reason why NoSQL databases have become so popular in recent years. For example, deployments with MongoDB, the leading NoSQL database, typically employ cheap, commodity Linux servers that cost as little as $3,000. Contrast that with just one relational server that can cost in the six figure range.
The cost benefits of NoSQL do come at a trade off, however. Because you are running the database over multiple servers instead of just one server, there will be additional complexities in terms of capacity planning and database provisioning.
At MongoDB, we typically hear many of the same questions from customers as they set out to deploy MongoDB. Users want to be diligent in planning to avoid overspending on hardware and cloud services. Typical questions we hear include: How many replicas are needed? When should I shard? How much RAM will I need for my working set? SSD or HDD?
We recommend you carefully review all the elements that will drive capacity requirements such as the volume of queries, data access patterns, indexing, and working set size. MongoDB offers the benefit of automatic provisioning with our management solutions: Ops Manager for on-prem deployments or Cloud Manager if you choose to run in the cloud. Ops Manager can deploy on MongoDB on any connected server. Cloud Manager has the benefit of integration with Amazon Web Services which makes it easy to get started with an optimal configuration for MongoDB.
Start taking advantage of all the innovations that a NoSQL database offers in building modern applications. Mastering the planning aspects of your deployment takes some help but the longer term benefits both in terms of cost and performance are well worth the effort. We are here to help. Download our Operations Best Practices Guide for additional guidance or search our website for more on NoSQL database provisioning to learn more.