Understanding database scaling

Any growing application must consider scaling databases to handle increased loads, larger data volumes, and more concurrent users. Understanding the nuances between vertical scaling (scaling up) and horizontal scaling (scaling out) is essential for database administrators and architects. This detailed explanation will focus on each scaling strategy’s mechanisms and technical aspects, particularly as they apply to popular database systems such as PostgreSQL and MySQL.

Let us understand both in the following sections.

Vertical scaling

Vertical scaling, also known as scaling up, involves increasing the computational power of a single server by adding more resources such as CPU, RAM, or storage. This approach enhances the server’s ability to handle more tasks simultaneously, manage larger datasets, and execute more complex queries efficiently. Vertical scaling is particularly relevant in database environments, including popular systems...