In-Memory Database (IMDB)

In-memory databases are designed to attain minimal response time, as well as extremely high throughput for performance critical systems. This is possible because data is saved and manipulated in the form used by the application, which removes overheads related to translation and caching. IMDB technology is capable of supporting application-tier deployment, real-time data management and most ACID (atomicity, consistency, isolation, durability) properties.

The data structures and algorithms of IMDBs are exclusively designed to deliver data, event and transaction management in the application tier. When compared to fully cached relational database management systems, IMDBs make use of significantly less CPU. IMDB technology does not use magnetic disks, as the location for primary database storage. Instead, the magnetic disks are used for tolerance and recovery.

The advantages of IMDBs are as follows:

• Faster transactions
• No translation
• Multi-user concurrency
• High stability

IMDB is used for:

• Developing embedded software systems, like commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) embedded operating systems
• Applications in medical devices, intelligent connected devices, commercial communication products and transport systems, network switches, routers and set-top boxes, etc.
• Fulfilling the requirements of Web self service and e-commerce applications
• Managing all real-time rating, subscriber billing and balance information