architecture Archives

Winsage

June 20, 2025

How Uniphore achieved 30% cost savings by modernizing Windows servers on AWS

Uniphore is an AI innovation company that faced challenges with its legacy Windows Server infrastructure, which was costly and raised security concerns due to its end-of-support status. To modernize, Uniphore utilized Amazon Web Services (AWS) for containerization and cloud-native solutions, achieving a 30% reduction in costs and improved operational capabilities. The migration involved transitioning from 50 bare-metal Windows Server 2008 R2 instances to a Linux environment on AWS, optimizing call-center analytics workloads and enabling better training of large language models. The modernization strategy included three key areas: application modernization through refactoring and containerization, a custom data migration solution using Type 2 hypervisor technology, and a cloud infrastructure setup with Amazon EC2, Amazon EKS, Amazon EFS, and Amazon S3. The migration was executed in three phases: deploying the hypervisor and DataSync agent, secure data migration and validation, and production cutover with application deployment. Best practices adopted during the process included Infrastructure as Code (IaC) with Terraform, CI/CD pipelines using GitLab, comprehensive monitoring with DATADOG and CloudWatch, and enforcement of AWS Backup policies. The modernization resulted in benefits such as improved scalability and performance, flexibility and portability of applications, enhanced security and compliance, efficient data management, reduced operational overhead, and significant cost savings.

AppWizard

June 19, 2025

X Rolls Out XChat: New Messaging to Challenge WhatsApp

XChat is an integrated instant messaging feature within X (formerly Twitter) designed to offer various communication options, including voice and video calls, file sharing, image sending, voice messages, and vanishing messages. It is accessible on mobile for both free users and X Premium subscribers, although some advanced features require a subscription. XChat includes encryption, disappearing messages, and the ability to send any file type. Unlike existing direct messages (DMs) on X, XChat offers more advanced features such as unsending messages and group chats. Security is emphasized, with XChat built on Rust and utilizing a "Bitcoin-style encryption system," though it does not guarantee end-to-end encryption. Key features of XChat include disappearing messages, message unsending, group chats, and audio/video calls without the need for a phone number. Currently in beta, XChat aims to enhance connectivity for brands and digital marketers on the platform. The unique advantage of XChat is its integration with X, allowing for a centralized experience combining social media and messaging functionalities.

AppWizard

June 18, 2025

Splitgate 2 review

Splitgate 2 is a multiplayer first-person shooter developed and published by 1047 Games, featuring portals in its gameplay. It is free-to-play and offers cosmetic bundles and a battle pass, and is compatible with the Steam Deck. The game includes a class system with three distinct classes, each having unique abilities, but with minimal differences in weaponry. The maps are designed with narrow corridors and expansive plazas but lack depth and character. The monetization strategy includes multiple tiers of season passes and a cosmetic store, which some find excessive. The battle pass system feels uninspired, and the game struggles to differentiate itself in the battle royale genre, leading to a repetitive gameplay experience.

Tech Optimizer

June 17, 2025

EnterpriseDB targets AI development with latest update

EnterpriseDB has introduced new features for its EDB Postgres AI platform, including a low-code/no-code environment for application development and enhanced data observability across various databases. The platform, launched in May 2024, integrates relational and non-relational data, automates data pipelines, and supports multiple workloads. The new capabilities aim to improve the success rate of AI projects, which face an estimated 80% failure rate in transitioning from development to production. The updates include tools for managing PostgreSQL databases in hybrid cloud and on-premises environments, Transparent Data Encryption for security, and an analytics engine optimized for AI workloads. EnterpriseDB's enhancements were influenced by customer feedback, focusing on maximizing the value of existing data and supporting GenAI workflows. The company plans to expand its AI ecosystem and enhance its competitive position within the PostgreSQL community.

Tech Optimizer

June 17, 2025

Databricks Unveils Lakebase Database for AI Applications

Databricks acquired the serverless Postgres startup Neon for approximately billion and integrated this technology into its offerings, launching Databricks Lakebase, a new operational database designed for intelligent applications. Lakebase is a fully-managed Postgres database aimed at addressing the integration of operational and analytical data for AI workloads. It operates on PostgreSQL and allows developers to manage data applications without server infrastructure concerns. Databricks also introduced additional products, including Lakeflow Designer, a no-code ETL tool, Databricks One for easy access to data and AI capabilities, and Agent Bricks for automating the creation of customized AI agents.

Tech Optimizer

June 16, 2025

Databricks rolls out Lakebase Postgres and Agent Bricks for AI-era apps

Databricks has introduced the Lakebase Postgres database layer to enhance its lakehouse architecture, facilitating AI applications and analytics on operational data. The company also launched Agent Bricks to simplify the development of automated AI agents. During the Data + AI Summit, CEO Ali Ghodsi emphasized the importance of transitioning from outdated systems to modern solutions for AI. Lakebase, powered by Neon technology, is a fully managed, Postgres-compatible database that supports data loading from over 300 sources. Databricks aims to unify operational and analytical systems for real-time decision-making. The summit outlined a three-chapter framework: establishing the lakehouse, integrating AI, and introducing Lakebase. Agent Bricks enables business users to create AI agents without extensive technical knowledge, while Managed Iceberg Tables support external engines and promise performance optimizations. Databricks announced partnerships with Microsoft and Google Cloud for deeper integration and AI model usage. The company is investing 0 million in AI education and plans to release Lakeflow Designer for no-code ETL capabilities. Databricks anticipates reaching .7 billion in annualized revenue by July, with a growth rate of 50 percent and plans to hire 3,000 employees in 2025. Lakebase is currently in Public Preview.

Tech Optimizer

June 13, 2025

Postgres and the Lakehouse Are Becoming One System — Here’s What Comes Next

Developers are increasingly using Postgres for application needs alongside lakehouse technologies for analytics and data science. Postgres has evolved into a versatile operational database suitable for various applications, while lakehouse technologies enable organizations to manage and analyze large-scale data efficiently. There is a growing synergy between these systems, although they often operate in silos managed by different teams. An emerging architectural paradigm views Postgres and lakehouses as complementary layers within a modular framework to address both operational and analytical requirements. Historically, OLTP systems were used for transactions and OLAP systems for analysis, but this model is shifting. Scenarios such as financial applications requiring real-time risk reports and SaaS applications calculating usage metrics are becoming standard. Effective communication between product-engineering teams managing operational systems and data teams overseeing lakehouse services is essential for enhancing system resilience. A trend called operational medallion architecture incorporates bronze, silver, and gold layers for real-time and user-facing systems. The bronze layer consists of raw data, the silver layer contains cleaned data in Postgres for real-time analytics, and the gold layer features pre-aggregated data for low-latency experiences. Each layer is queryable, allowing for bidirectional data movement between S3 and Postgres. Key developments facilitating the integration of operational databases and lakehouses include the maturation of Iceberg as a flexible table format, the evolution of Postgres with support for various data types and querying capabilities, and a growing demand for composability among developers. The market is moving towards modular, open, and developer-friendly architectures that integrate operational and analytical layers. Future data infrastructure will focus on interconnected components and coherent modern data architecture that serves both operational and non-operational use cases seamlessly.

Tech Optimizer

June 13, 2025

Databricks opens up agentic AI pipelines, fills in Postgres-powered Lakebase

Databricks has introduced advancements at its user conference, focusing on agentic AI pipelines and a Postgres-powered Lakebase. The Lakebase streamlines data management and analytics by combining PostgreSQL with Databricks' data lake architecture. The agentic AI pipelines automate data workflows, allowing organizations to gain AI-driven insights with minimal manual intervention. Key features include automated workflows that reduce processing time, enhanced data management through a familiar relational database experience, and the ability to extract actionable insights using advanced AI capabilities.

Tech Optimizer

June 12, 2025

‘Postgres Has Won’

Databricks has launched Lakebase, a fully managed Postgres database, during the Data + AI Summit 2025. Lakebase is currently in public preview and integrates with Databricks' Data Intelligence Platform, targeting AI-driven application development. It introduces an operational layer to the lakehouse ecosystem, allowing developers to build AI applications on a multi-cloud platform. The database architecture, powered by Neon, separates compute from storage for independent scaling, ensuring low latency and high concurrency. Lakebase supports rapid deployment and a usage-based pricing model, and features include copy-on-write clones for development and testing. Databricks aims to create a new category in the database market with Lakebase, which is built on open-source Postgres and compatible with existing tools. The operational database market is valued at over 0 billion, and recent surveys indicate PostgreSQL's rising popularity among developers. The launch follows Snowflake's acquisition of Crunchy Data to enhance its Postgres offerings, indicating a trend towards PostgreSQL in the industry.

Winsage

June 12, 2025

UEFI BIOS flaws: SecureBoot bypass and firmware replacement possible

Recent findings have identified two vulnerabilities in various UEFI BIOS versions from multiple manufacturers, compromising the SecureBoot mechanism. These vulnerabilities allow attackers to bypass SecureBoot protections and replace firmware, particularly in Insyde BIOSes. The issues stem from unprotected NVRAM variables, specifically the "IhisiParamBuffer," which can be manipulated to execute unsigned UEFI binaries. Affected UEFI applications include "DTBios" and "BiosFlashShell" from DTResearch, with a CVSS score of 8.2. Microsoft has added 14 new hashes to its DBX database to mitigate these risks. Additionally, a vulnerability in the Insyde H2O UEFI firmware app allows attackers to infiltrate digital certificates due to the insecure handling of the "SecureFlashCertData" variable, which is incorrectly treated as trusted memory. This flaw, known as "Hydroph0bia," has a CVSS score of 7.8 and enables unauthorized execution of firmware certified with manipulated certificates. Manufacturers are urged to provide firmware updates to address these vulnerabilities, as inconsistent support for locking UEFI variables raises security concerns.