Analysis finds Volumez block storage outpaces cloud giants for PostgreSQL

Volumez has introduced a compelling solution for PostgreSQL users operating within cloud environments such as AWS, Azure, and Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI). This innovative block storage service not only enhances transaction throughput but also reduces latency compared to the native block storage offerings from these cloud providers.

PostgreSQL and Volumez: A Synergistic Partnership

PostgreSQL, an open-source relational database that evolved from the earlier POSTGRES system, has gained significant traction in various deployment scenarios. Volumez leverages ephemeral cloud block storage instances, transforming them into a shared service that provides enhanced efficiency and cost-effectiveness compared to the raw services offered by AWS, Azure, and OCI.

Chris Evans, an analyst from ArchitectingIT, conducted a thorough evaluation of Volumez’s Data Infrastructure-as-a-Service (DIaaS) specifically for PostgreSQL. He noted that DIaaS simplifies the complexities of cloud storage by allowing users to define application-specific metrics such as bandwidth, throughput (IOPS), and latency for each storage volume. This flexibility is particularly advantageous, as it decouples performance from capacity, enabling users to optimize their resources without being constrained by traditional linear scaling models.

Performance Testing and Insights

Evans utilized the pgbench evaluation tool to measure transactions per second (TPS) and latency across various configurations, including:

  • AWS EBS io1 storage attached to the database server
  • AWS EBS io2 Block Express storage installed on the database server
  • Microsoft Azure PV2 SSD storage connected to the database server
  • Volumez DIaaS storage on AWS connected to the database server
  • Volumez DIaaS storage on Azure connected to the database server
  • Volumez DIaaS storage on OCI connected to the database server
  • Amazon Aurora storage directly configured as a cluster volume

The results revealed notable differences in block storage costs across the cloud platforms, with OCI emerging as the most economical option—40% cheaper than AWS. Furthermore, the tests indicated that the Volumez-PostgreSQL combination achieved the highest TPS rating on AWS, showcasing its superior performance capabilities.

Evans pointed out the inconsistencies associated with AWS’s io1 storage, which significantly lagged behind other configurations. This discrepancy is attributed to io1 being an earlier SSD implementation, whereas io2 Block Express and Volumez DIaaS utilize more advanced NVMe devices.

Cost-Effectiveness and Value

In terms of latency, the Volumez-PostgreSQL pairing also excelled, delivering the lowest latency figures among the tested alternatives on AWS. When considering pricing, Evans highlighted a stark contrast: the io2 Block Express configuration costs approximately ,000 per month, while the Volumez media nodes come in at around ,000, plus a 20% licensing fee. This substantial difference underscores the value proposition offered by Volumez.

Moreover, Volumez DIaaS outperformed Azure’s raw block storage in both TPS and latency metrics, reinforcing its competitive edge. In evaluations conducted on OCI, Evans concluded that it provided the best performance for high-demand PostgreSQL applications, combining high throughput with low latency at a significantly lower cost compared to AWS and Azure.

Overall, the findings indicate that Volumez not only surpasses the native block storage solutions in performance but does so at a fraction of the cost, with potential savings of up to 80% on the AWS platform. Evans advocates for businesses utilizing public cloud services, especially for traditional database applications, to adopt Volumez DIaaS as their primary storage solution, emphasizing the operational benefits of flexible deployments and enhanced performance.

For further insights, Volumez has shared a detailed perspective on these results in a blog post.

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Analysis finds Volumez block storage outpaces cloud giants for PostgreSQL