Faster webpages loading

We’ve revamped our interface by rewriting the code and redesigning APIs for faster response times and less front-end processing. We’ve also added skeleton screens to provide a preview of the page before it fully loads. Connection pooling has been integrated to cache information and speed up Control Panel webpage loading.

New control panel features

You now have access to these features:

• Service health status: check the health of your service in the Control Panel, and view the status of your CPU, storage, and RAM using health indicators.
• DB service downgrade: downgrade all engines via the Control Panel except MongoDB (this feature was previously only available via API/CLI).
• Maintenance: view all maintenance operations and schedule them as needed.
• User permissions: edit the permissions of an existing user (this feature was previously only available via API/CLI)
• Authorised IP: add IPs to an approved list as a part of the service’s initial configuration (this feature was previously only available via API/CLI).

Easier location

The IP management and service upgrade features are now in the new ‘Configuration’ tab instead of the ‘General Information’ tab.

Change of URLs

Control Panel URLs have also changed:

• old URL : …./storages/databases-analytics/databases
• New URL : …./databases-analytics/operational/services

Any thoughts or comments? Get in touch on our dedicated Discord channel

Want to learn more about our Databases & Analytics services roadmap? Check out on Github

While there are no immediate changes to the existing OVHcloud Managed Databases for Redis® services or their functionality, we will be renaming the offer to Managed Databases for Caching to comply with Redis’s copyright and licence agreements.

What’s Changing

The key takeaway from this name change is that current customers do not need to take any immediate action. The service itself, including any associated API endpoints, CLI commands and functionality for creating or using a Managed Databases for Caching service, will remain unchanged.

In accordance with the updated Redis Trademark Policy, all references to Managed Databases for Redis® on our web pages and the OVHcloud Control Panel will be updated to Managed Databases for Caching. The service will continue to be compatible with legacy Redis® OSS. Thus, we will provide updates until the end of life for Redis® 7.2 in August 2025.

The Future of Databases at OVHcloud

After Redis/Caching, PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB, Cassandra and M3DB, you might wonder, “What comes next?”. We are excited to share that OVHcloud is planning to extend top-tier database options.

We have recently updated our MongoDB offer, introducing a 100% free Discovery Free Tier service. Plus, we are aiming to extend our Free Tier services portfolio in the coming months. Our Data Platform, currently in beta release, comes with a Lakehouse (Data Lake and Data Warehouse service). This is designed to manage and query massive amounts of data for analytics purposes. In the coming months, we are also planning to introduce ClickHouse! As a new analytics database engine and deploy our Database engines in more locations. Want to know more? Check out our Databases Public Cloud Roadmap on Github.

1. Redis is a registered trademark of Redis Ltd. All rights reserved to Redis Ltd. Any use by OVH SAS and its subsidiaries is for informational purposes only and does not constitute sponsorship, endorsement, or affiliation between Redis and OVH SAS. ↩︎

The flexibility of the NoSQL data model

Unlike traditional databases, MongoDB can gather data without a predefined structure and adapt its dynamic scheme as needed. The tabular schema is no longer used, as regards NoSQL databases, the logical representation of a NoSQL database resembles a tree structure. MongoDB is a document-oriented database management system that organises data in JSON documents and collections. These documents contain pairs of values or keys of different types, including nested documents and arrays. The structure of key/value pairs can vary across different documents. Additionally, MongoDB also allows for the use of GridFS, which enables it to function as a file system using the JavaScript query language.

Advantages – based on use cases

MongoDB and MySQL both have their various strengths and benefits, which include indexing, query language (both rely on natural language and offer a graphical interface when needed), security (each offers authentication, access control and data encryption), and compatibility with various programming languages (Java, Python, Node.js, server-side PHP, Ruby and C#). Scalability and strong read-write performance set MongoDB apart in multiple use cases.

MySQL only allows for vertical scaling, i.e., you can only add resources to the database server (RAM, CPU) for scalability. During the replication process, read-only copies are created on other machines, which may result in delays in updates and the user’s access to information.

MongoDB goes even further by incorporating both vertical and horizontal scaling into its design. Two mechanisms, clustering and sharding, are used to achieve this. Clustering, which involves groups of MongoDB servers with identical data (three servers minimum), and sharding, which spreads different parts of the data across multiple servers for load distribution, high availability, and security in case of hardware failure.

MongoDB stands out from the rest in terms of performance, particularly in writing, when using the “insertMany()” API command to insert or update numerous records. When dealing with a high volume of records, MySQL is the faster option.

So, your project, available hardware, and the type of data you work with (structured, semi-structured or unstructured) will determine the most suitable technology.

Of course, there are alternatives or plugins to address the limitations of MySQL or make up for missing features – depending on the use case. For instance, with an RDBMS like MariaDB, you can enable multi-master clustering using this approach. However, attempting to adapt a technology to needs it wasn’t designed for in the first place will inevitably make maintenance complex, increase the risk of malfunctions, and lower performance.

On the other hand, if MongoDB proves to be more suitable, we can’t overlook the skills needed to deploy, configure and maintain MongoDB’s architecture, as well as understand replicate set and sharding ^[1] (Find out more about the differences between the two). If you need it, choosing an OVHcloud-managed solution like Managed Databases for MongoDB could be the ideal option. 

Why choose MongoDB over any other non-relational database management system?

There are many other document-oriented databases out there, including Couchbase, CouchDB, Oracle NoSQL Database, Amazon DocumentDB, Azure Cosmos DB, and more. Nonetheless, MongoDB is notable for its versatility, performance, scalability, and features. This makes it a popular DBMS for various use cases, including e-commerce catalogues, web/mobile apps with user-specific content customisation (e.g., social media), payment systems, serverless design, workload migration, content management, gaming, IoT data collection, and much more. It spans use cases involving big data and artificial intelligence.

Unlock MongoDB’s full potential effortlessly with OVHcloud

Installing MongoDB on a single server, VPS or Public Cloud instance is straightforward. However, things might get more complex when the project enters production and/or gains momentum, or requires a stable environment and deployment of a multi-node cluster. This also includes mobilising specialised resources that could be allocated to your main business, like developing applications. This particularly holds true for use cases that demand solid compliance, such as health data hosting and management.

OVHcloud offers a managed MongoDB solution — i.e., it is managed for you by our team and hosted in a sovereign cloud. — designed and delivered in partnership with MongoDB’s teams. Since our Database as a Service (DBaaS) is not shared, it allows you to free up your SysAdmins without compromising performance and compliance. Each user has their own environment, except for the Free Tier Discovery offer, where CPU and RAM resources are shared. This service also helps you tackle the challenge of scaling your database, syncing and distributing data across several nodes, as well as backing it up (included in our plans).

Find out why you should choose MongoDB managed on OVHcloud, an expert in MongoDB infrastructure – including deployment and administration. You can achieve greater efficiency and build more reliable, powerful and secure applications, while optimising the total cost of ownership (TCO) of your data.

Want to go further ?

At first glance, the idea might seem absurd: migrating to NoSQL, a non-relational database management system, while using a MySQL or Oracle database. It’s like putting petrol in a diesel car. Of course, the code will need be altered, but it is certainly doable. Read the MongoDB webinar “Migrating relational database workloads to the MongoDB Document Model”

^[1] Soon, the OVHcloud Managed Databases for MongoDB service will include the sharding set-up feature. This has been added to our roadmap.

MongoDB can also be a powerful data source for IoT, BI and data analytics platforms. However, deploying and configuring this popular database engine requires specialist skills. Moreover, you need adequate resources to manage the machines that host your databases (e.g., for maintenance, updates, obsolescence management).

Why migrate your MongoDB to a managed Database as a Service ?

Installing MongoDB on a single server, VPS or Public Cloud instance is straightforward, but it becomes challenging once your project is up and running and/or starts to gain momentum. This involves ensuring a stable environment, deploying a cluster with several nodes (a primary read/write node and read-only secondary nodes), or setting up automatic backups. This also means mobilising specialised resources that could be allocated to your main business — developing the best applications for your internal of external customers 

OVHcloud offers a managed MongoDB solution. It’s managed for you by our team and hosted in a trusted cloud. This Database as a Service (DBaaS) solution designed and offered in partnership with MongoDB Inc., frees up your system administrators (SysAdmins) without the need to trade off your performance commitments. It’s not a shared service, user benefits from dedicated resources except for the Free Tier Discovery solution, where CPU and RAM are shared on a top of a mutualized Kubernetes stack. This service also helps you tackle the challenge of scaling your database, it comes with syncing and distributing data across several nodes. You can also automatically back it up (a feature included in paid plans).

Here’s why delegating the deployment and administration of your database to OVHcloud, a MongoDB infrastructure expert, is a good idea. You can achieve greater efficiency and build more reliable, powerful and secure applications, while optimising the total cost of ownership (TCO) and time to market of your data.

High availability, high performance, and resilience by design

All MongoDB solutions offered by OVHcloud rely on at least a 3-node replica set. Or a replica set of up to 7 nodes. This is to ensure your data is completely safe (full data redundancy) in the event of machine failure. But also to balance load across all nodes for optimal performance.

The OVHcloud Free Tier Discovery plan can handle up to 3,000 IOPS, higher paid plans up to 20,000 IOPS.

An independant benchmark substantiated by benchANT shows that it offers the best value for performance than other hyperscalers document-oriented DBaaS offers.

You can choose any of the OVHcloud datacentres — in France, United Kingdom, Germany, Poland and Canada (coming soon to the United States, Singapore, India and Australia) to host the service. This is an option that allows you to offer your service as close as possible to your app’s users.

Furthermore, automatic backup in a remote datacentre is included in the Production and Advanced plans, with one snapshot per day stored for a 14-day rolling period and a Point in Time Recovery (PITR) with a 30-day retention period, respectively.

Lastly, please note that the Discovery and Production solutions are based on the MongoDB Community version, meaning 100% compatible and ensuring optimal portability for your MongoDB services. It’s not the case for instance with AWS DocumentDB and Azure CosmosDB that uses proprietary software not fully compatible with original MongoDB APIs. The Advanced solutions are based on the Enterprise version, licensed from MongoDB.

Let OVHcloud manage the scaling of your MongoDB cluster

Anyone who has ever used MongoDB knows that as a database cluster grows, the question of how many machines you should have and how to size them always arises. As recommended by the publisher, the machines in the same MongoDB cluster should be configured the same way. Otherwise, the cluster’s performance would match that of the weakest machine in the pool, or worse, lead to more serious machine failures.

These are some of the pitfalls you will be avoiding by allowing OVHcloud to manage your database. With the Production solution, you get a 3-node replica set, which you can scale (vertical scaling) up to 4 TB storage, 60 GB RAM and 16 vCPU, to suit your core needs and optimise costs. You no longer need to over-dimension your cluster, provision machines, or manage their obsolescence. Furthermore, you can automate Database Management Systems (DBMS) using Terraform. You can be billed per use, allowing you to optimally provision resources to match your workloads.

Enhanced security

Another advantage of outsourcing the hosting and management of MongoDB to an expert like OVHcloud is that you can ensure enhanced security. The hardening, updates and security of the DBMS hosting will no longer be a source of concern, when common vulnerabilities and exposures (CVE) are detected. And also, updates and patches are applied as soon as they become available. This is done using a rolling update procedure that minimises service downtime, in coordination with customers.

Managed Databases for MongoDB can also be interconnected with your other OVHcloud services via the vRack private network, wherever they are located. This is to avoid exposing your databases on the public network. Please note that traffic and private network charges are included.

Lastly, you benefit from the anti-DDoS and data encryption technologies offered by OVHcloud, as well as ISO/IEC 27001, 27017, 27018 and 27701 certifications; and the  HDS (hébergement de données de santé) certification in France. Your databases are compliant with healthcare data hosting standards in many countries.

Monitoring and support on the OVHcloud Control Panel

There are several solutions available. Especially via command-line tools and thick user interface clients. Much easier for monitoring your MongoDB cluster, which are provided by the publisher, or the community. However, you can always opt for simplicity, and monitor your data using features available on the OVHcloud Control Panel.

You will find, via the Control Panel, your database usage metrics consisting of number of read and write requests, number of clients using it, etc.. and CPU and RAM resources. This helps you to determine whether your cluster is the right size, i.e., if it’s too large or not enough. You can entrust OVHcloud with ensuring availability and alert processing — we will handle it for you and vouch for it. If the monitoring tools above offer you more indicators, the one provided by OVHcloud offers much more. It provides you with both real-time and historical data to compare with other time periods.

OVHcloud’s offerings including support provided by solution architects within the OVHcloud Professional Services team, working together with MongoDB Inc. teams to help you meet all your advanced needs, as well as different levels of 24/7 support plans.

Check the quick-start guide and login with your OVHcloud account to try your always-free MongoDB Discovery cluster !

With this business decreasing context, organizations have no choices but to optimize their costs and continue developing their move to digital, while keeping their IT secured and their data protected from the booming number of cyberthreats.

To accelerate their digital transformation while reducing cost, companies can leverage on some key sales events organized by their IT suppliers. Cyber Monday sales is one of these unique opportunities, cloud providers offering very attractive deals and promotions for their services.

In our case, we follow the traditions with dedicated offers on Bare Metal Cloud, Hosted Private Cloud, Public Cloud and Web Cloud, multiple tailored cloud solutions answering all business needs can be purchased at discounted prices.

Cloud computing is a very fast growing but extremely competitive market, where providers sometimes do not hesitate to highlight very low prices, not mentioning hidden costs, lack of security and data protection basic features, or using not interoperable proprietary solutions to lock you in order to eventually generate profit. To prevent from bad surprises whine selecting a cloud provider, we have listed some guidelines or key aspects we believe you should carefully look at before making any decision.

Where my data are stored?

Some cloud service providers have decided to not communicate to their clients the precise location where their data are stored, and use the concept of geographical “regions” and “zones”. You can then select such a zone… but it doesn’t really mean you know where your data are stored and replicated.

Some alternative cloud providers show more transparency, sharing detailed information with their clients about datacenters precise location, and even the actual room and server where the data is stored. You could even ask your cloud providers a report stating where your data are localized if this is required by your clients or by some authorities.

What laws apply to my data and who could access it?

The data you store within a cloud provider is basically subject to the nation’s laws of its headquarters, as well as the nation’s laws of the territories where your data is transferred, processed, and stored. This topic raised a lot of questions within the EU with the invalidation of the “Privacy Shield” last July.

For instance, if your data is hosted and operated within the EU by a US based cloud provider, the US and EU laws apply to your data meaning both GDPR and US extrateritorial surveillance programs (FISA 702, EO 12333…), as well as the CLOUD Act.

Same rules apply to Chinese cloud providers where your data are subject China National Intelligence Law.

Does my cloud provider follow best practices in terms of security & data protection?

A very common way to assess the level of security offered by your cloud provider is to make sure it provides industry standards compliance like ISO/IEC 27001, AICPA SOC II Type 2 as well as with the latest one: ISO/IEC 27701 certification for data privacy. Check-out your cloud provider Information System Security Policy documentation (ISSP), everything should be reported there.

For your most sensitive data, some national IT security agencies have developed specific standards, like ANSSI with SecNumCloud qualification in France. Moreover, in order to protect your data privacy after deleting stored data, your cloud provider must automatically execute a specific script according to in force standards, like NIST SP 800-88.

What are its commitments in terms of service continuity and availability?

Service continuity is provided by various processes ensuring power, network, equipment and applications availability.

To provide such high availability, has you your cloud provider designed its services with full redundancy at each level? In case of outage, has your cloud provider put in place some recovery processes like system configuration backups? Advanced Anti-DDoS protection can also be applied by your provider to prevent from some type of cyberthreats. Is it the case?

Last but not least, you must check whether your provider offers end-to-end SLAs. You can then be sure it will do its best to not lose money with the services it operates for you!

How can I prevent from unexpected fees in cloud services’ bills?

Some cloud providers can look extremely competitive thanks to their super low-price tags which actually do not include multiple additional hidden fees, like Ingress / Egress data transfer costs or other basic options you will definitely need.

To avoid bad surprises, you can decide to switch to a prepaid plan… which can end-up being expensive and as unpredictable as standard post-paid.

Some other cloud providers offer simplified and transparent pricing structures with no hidden fees.

How easy is it to cancel my contract, and transfer my services to another provider?

Vendor lock-in is a wildly used common practice in the cloud industry. This cloud service looks perfect to you, however it seems to be using not standard proprietary technologies, but with very appealing price tags or sales promotions. It’s easy to get trapped, but hard and expensive to recover.

To avoid this, you must seek as much as you can for open, portable, interoperable technologies. As such practices are getting well known, new standards and initiative recently emerged to help you, such as CISPE and SWIPO Code of Conducts, or now with the European initiative Gaia-X.

Use of open source and standardized technologies are another, complementary way to prevent being stuck with one single provider.

Do we share the same values with my cloud provider?

Your cloud becomes a key supplier operating critical assets for your business, this required a very high trust level.

Your provider must help you increase your competitiveness and grow your business. You cloud provider is actually like a business partner however, in some cases, it can also appear as an embarrassing partner.

Is there a risk to face a competitive situation with your provider in the future? What image does it carry in your industry? Where does it pay its taxes? What are its sustainability and green policies?

Your trust combined with market recognition

As this year is very unique, OVHcloud has decided to launch unseen deals and discounts for the Cyber Monday, with an extended range of services covering all business needs, in every country where we operate.

To better support and empower our enterprise customers, we have developed new strategies. Those got rewarded this year by major analysts like Forrester that qualified OVHcloud as the European leader for Hosted Private Cloud, or IDC that listed OVHcloud as the only European company among worldwide Public Cloud providers.

More than ever before, we stick to our SMART Cloud (Simple, Multi-local, Accessible, Reversible, Transparent) values, providing innovative, open and secured solutions, a cloud you can trust fully respecting our client’s fundamental rights and freedom.