In-Memory Database
An in-memory database is a purpose-built database that relies primarily on internal memory for data storage. It enables minimal response times by eliminating the need to access standard disk drives (SSDs). In-memory databases are ideal for applications that require microsecond response times or have large spikes in traffic, such as gaming leaderboards, session stores, and real-time data analytics. The terms main memory database (MMDB), in-memory database system (IMDS), and real-time database system (RTDB) also refer to in-memory databases.
What are the advantages of in-memory databases
An in-memory database brings several advantages that we explore in detail below.
What are the use cases of in-memory databases
In-memory databases are a good choice for banking, telecommunications, gaming, and mobile advertising industries
How does an in-memory cache work
What is the difference between an in-memory cache and an in-memory database
In-memory caches provide better performance because writes are not persisted, eliminating the extra time needed for persisting data. An in-memory database persists writes, making data changes durable. This durability comes at the expense of lower performance for writes. However, in-memory databases still provide better performance than a disk-based database. From a performance standpoint, they sit between an in-memory cache and a disk-based database.
What are the limitations of in-memory caches
Because all data is stored and managed exclusively in memory, in-memory caches risk losing data upon a process or server failure. To improve durability, an in-memory cache may persist data periodically on disk databases. We expand on some mechanisms to improve durability below.
How can AWS support your in-memory cache and database requirements
AWS provides several different fully managed in-memory cache and database services for your specific needs.