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For hard real-time systems

In-memory Database for Embedded Systems

The reliability and speed for any embedded database system.

eXtremeDB was designed specifically for embedded systems as an in-memory database system.

The eXtremeDB database management system was originally designed and optimized to be an in-memory database system (IMDS) for embedded systems, with direct data manipulation.  When you create a database management system, it will, by design and implementation, be either an in-memory database system or an on-disk database management system. The choice affects the fundamental optimization strategies that will be baked into the database system code.  (Review a McObject white paper, Will The Real In-memory Database Please Stand Up, on this topic and how it relates to embedded database systems.)

In-memory database performance in an embedded database system

To optimize an on-disk database is to minimize disk I/O, so its design will use extra CPU cycles and extra memory to reduce or eliminate I/O.  Conversely, IMDSs by definition eliminate all disk I/O.  In other words, their optimization is primarily about delivering the highest performance at a given level of processing power.  For an in-memory database, the focus is on reducing demand for CPU cycles. And since memory is storage for an IMDS, reducing memory overhead (i.e. RAM consumed for anything other than storing data) is also a key objective.

With eXtremeDB on embedded platforms (e.g. ARM, PowerPC), typical write accesses are at the level of a few microseconds, or less, and read-only access is sub-microsecond. On workstation or server platforms, performance is sub-microsecond.  (Visit this page to read one of our in-memory benchmarks.)

When used as an embedded database system, the engine is reentrant, allowing for concurrent access by multiple tasks or threads. On multi-tasking platforms (e.g. Linux and VxWorks RTP), databases can be created in shared memory for concurrent access among many processes. Transactions support the ACID properties, assuring data integrity.

eXtremeDB can also operate as a client/server database system. Client applications can be local (executing on the same system as the eXtremeDB server) or remote (executing on different systems that are connected to the eXtremeDB server system via TCP/IP).  Systems can be heterogenous, e.g. a server on PowerPC and remote client on x86.

 

Hybrid data storage

Unlike other IMDS, eXtremeDB allows developers to easily combine the strengths of on-disk and in-memory database systems. In other words, eXtremeDB databases can be all-in-memory, all-persistent, or have a mix of in-memory tables and persistent tables. This unparalleled flexibility enables developers to tailor data management in order to optimize applications for speed and persistence.  Developers can make intelligent tradeoffs between cost-efficiency, power consumption, and physical space-conserving data storage hardware.

 

In-memory and Persistent Database Management System

In-memory and embedded systems

When used as an in-memory, embedded database system, eXtremeDB eliminates sources of latency such as cache misses, inter-process communication, remote procedure calls and creation of multiple copies of data. Learn more about eXtremeDB in real-time systems.

Built as a true in-memory database system, eXtremeDB has always taken responsibility for memory management. As an embedded database system, eXtremeDB creates no processes or threads. And eXtremeDB has never had any dependencies on the operating system or C runtime library and can, in fact, run on “bare metal” with no operating system whatsoever. (Learn more on our FAQ page.)

Small footprint, ultra-fast data management

Small footprint, ultra-fast eXtremeDB is being used successfully in manufacturing, transportation, telecommunications and other fields to meet the high demands of real-time systems. While traditional databases have long served as back-end repositories for control systems, eXtremeDB differs in that it serves as a persistent or in-memory database system that is integrated within the control systems’ streaming processes.

eXtremeDB can achieve predictable response times in the microsecond range, and is designed to operate in the harsh environment of mission-critical systems. It thrives within the strict requirements for resource utilization, and is ready to provide the performance and reliability required by these applications.

Our latest product eXtremeDB/rt is the first and only commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) real-time database management system that meets the fundamental requirements of determinism and temporal consistency of data. It is a true deterministic real-time database system that guarantees transactions complete (commit or rollback) within a set deadline. Without a deadline guarantee, database systems that claim to be “fast enough” cannot be used in hard real-time systems.

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Kernel Mode

eXtremeDB delivers the small code size and quality essential for kernel systems.

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Transaction Priorities

When an eXtremeDB transaction is started, it can be assigned one of 5 priority levels and will be queued accordingly by the transaction manager.

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Type-safe API

The eXtremeDB native API is type-safe: errors in data-typing are caught at compile time, to eliminate database corruption.

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High Availability

The eXtremeDB High Availability module ensures continuous database operation even in the face of hardware or software failure.

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Binary Schema Evolution

Binary Schema Evolution (BSE) is used to implement “in-place” upgrades that involve changes to the database structure in running systems, without interrupting the availability of the system.

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Source Code Available

Source code available and affordable for developers. Please contact us for more information.

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Event Notifications

This feature enables eXtremeDB to notify an application when something “of interest” in the database changes.

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Broad Platform Support

eXtremeDB is available for all major embedded platforms.

Learn more about in-memory database systems from the database experts at McObject.

News about memory resident database for embedded systems

Articles about Data Management

“The IoT Technology Piece No One Is Talking About”  – Embedded Computing Design  (Hint: it’s edge nodes, and we’ve been talking about it since 2016.)

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In-memory Database White Papers & Benchmarks

We have been testing, improving on, and retesting our software from the beginning in 2001 in order to provide our clients with the best possible data management solutions. Read In-memory Database System Myths and Facts and others.

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On demand webinars about embedded database management systems

In-memory Database Webinars

Listen to on-demand Webinars, hosted by database experts. Learn proven database management system practices.

Watch What Makes a Database System ‘In-Memory’?  Gain ideas and techniques for building better, faster software.

Visit us at trade shows to discuss the best embedded database system

Embedded Systems Trade Shows

We invite you to stop by our booth at these shows to discuss memory management in your next project and how we might help.

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eXtremeDB is database management wherever you need it.  It’s used by innovative industry leaders in over 30,000,000 deployments world-wide in these markets and others.

Network & Telecom

Network gear developers build on proven eXtremeDB speed and reliability, combined in-memory and persistent data layouts, optimized access methods and unmatched flexibility.

Consumer Electronics

JVC, DirecTV, GoPro and others all discovered that eXtremeDB’s small code size, portable data format and efficient use of compute & storage can reduce component cost while also supporting data-hungry new features.

Industrial Systems

eXtremeDB’s sophisticated event notification systems, time series data processing and high availability have powered its wide-spread adoption in SCADA, fleet management, smart building automation and other verticals.

Aerospace & Defense

Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, British Aerospace, EADS and others depend on eXtremeDB’s reliability, unmatched performance and broad platform support.

Energy

eXtremeDB optimization technology can dramatically boost utilities’ power generation yields. Distribution networks can become self-healing and bi-directional, enabling end-users to contribute power back to the grid.

Finance

eXtremeDB’s unique hybrid row- and columnar-layout (OLTP and time series) couples with pipelined functions for statistical analysis and scalable distributed database architecture power record-setting STAC-M3 benchmark results.

Hard Real-time Systems

eXtremeDB/rt is the first and only deterministic embedded DBMS for mission- and safety-critical hard real-time applications. It is built to satisfy strict requirements for timely execution of avionics and aircraft navigation systems, driver assistance systems, critical medical equipment and similar systems’ data management.

Big Data & Analytics

Columnar and row-oriented storage, a SQL engine infused with advanced analytics, and a scalable distributed architecture deliver speed and reliability to complex data-driven applications.

Finance

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Embedded Systems

From inception, eXtremeDB’s resilient and optimized storage capabilities uniquely qualified it to fuel database management for safety-critical and resource-constrained embedded applications.

Internet of Things

eXtremeDB’s Active Replication Fabric™ creates a data management foundation for the IoT ecosystem that seamlessly integrates edge and cloud applications’ storage and ensuring data safety all around.

 Find eXtremeDB in over 30,000,000 deployments worldwide.

McObject has been helping industry leaders optimize their data management strategy since 2001.  See a partial list of customers.

IoT Vendor of the Year

Best Development Tool & Operating System at IoT World