EclipseStore delivers high performance and reduces data storage costs by 96% with WebSphere Liberty InstantOn.

As AI technology advances, the need for high-performance, cost-effective, and easily deployable solutions has reached unprecedented levels. EclipseStore, MicroStream’s groundbreaking data storage platform, is revolutionizing cutting-edge software application development. IBM® IBM WebSphere integration in collaboration with MicroStream® Liberty InstantOn feature within EclipseStore. This combination allows developers to build highly scalable Java applications that deliver exceptional performance while significantly minimizing infrastructure costs.

Exciting new innovations such as advanced robotics, physical gaming, neural interface technology, and AI require three fundamental ingredients:

1. High-performance solution. Java is 1000 times faster than today’s database systems. Programming languages ​​like Java offer microsecond processing speeds, but external database servers utilized for data processing over the past 40 years are 1000 times slower, with millisecond processing speeds.
2. A simple implementation that accelerates time to market. Programming languages ​​and database systems are often incompatible. Impedance mismatches can cause serious problems with far-reaching consequences. Programming languages ​​such as Java have object models that are incompatible with today’s database-related data structures and formats. As a result, mapping objects to database-specific models, transforming data, and creating objects for each query introduces latency of up to 100 ms or more, even when retrieving data from the cache.
3. Low infrastructure costs. Infrastructure costs are soaring. Users rely on performance-enhancing solutions such as distributed caches, in-memory data grids, and search servers to reduce latency. However, this causes cloud costs to skyrocket due to inefficient data processing and the need for resource-intensive cluster solutions. As a result, legacy databases lag behind and get in the way of modern software applications.

There is no doubt that the database server concept has been proven over decades. However, comparing it to Java, which is 1000 times faster than existing databases, is like using a steam engine in a spaceship because it is a proven technology.

EclipseStore supports high performance and reduces data storage costs by 96%.

EclipseStore was built to solve this problem by introducing innovative data storage concepts that are tailored for cutting-edge software solutions but can also enhance existing enterprise applications.

EclipseStore supports data storage by seamlessly synchronizing Java object graphs of any size and complexity with binary data storage such as AWS S3 or IBM Cloud® Object Storage. Using EclipseStore in your architecture makes existing database systems unnecessary. Unlike all database systems, EclipseStore actually stores the underlying Java object model 1:1. This provides users with the following exciting benefits:

1. high performance: Data is cached and processed within memory. Queries run up to 1000 times faster than similar SQL queries. Achieve the highest data processing speeds using the Eclipse OpenJ9 JVM with support for Semeru Runtime® JDK. Costly mapping or data transformation and resulting latency are eliminated.
2. Convenience and high developer productivity: Only core Java features are used, making implementation, testing, deployment, and maintenance much simpler.
3. Reduce database costs: Cloud object storage like IBM Object Storage is up to 96% cheaper than any database in the cloud, and IBM even manages backups, high availability, and security.

EclipseStore was developed as an open source project by the Eclipse Foundation and integrates well with modern Java runtimes such as Spring Boot, MicroProfile, and WebSphere Liberty/Open Liberty®.

Elastically scalable EclipseStore apps using WebSphere Liberty InstantOn

To develop horizontally scalable, distributed EclipseStore apps, MicroStream allows users to fully automate and scale apps and microservices under higher load and vice versa, scaling down to zero when load decreases. We offer EclipseStore clusters as a fully managed cloud service. Load to save on infrastructure costs. Users can set up, configure, run, and monitor clusters in just a few clicks without needing access to Kubernetes or other complex cloud technologies. Users also benefit from enterprise-grade security and support.

With EclipseStore, MicroStream Cluster, and InstantOn, customers like Allianz can now build and run fully automated, elastic, and scalable Java applications and microservices in the cloud. By using this stack, customers benefit from ultra-fast real-time data processing, microsecond response and query times, and save up to 96% on database costs in the cloud.

Java is great, but the startup time is too slow.

Creating fully automated, scalable applications that can handle any workload on demand may sound appealing, but it comes with significant complexities and challenges, especially for Java. One of the important requirements for a highly resilient and scalable cluster is to start new cluster nodes quickly to avoid latency. Containers can start in milliseconds, but Java apps take longer due to the preparation time required by the JVM’s JIT compiler.

This potential setback may have hindered the entire MicroStream cluster concept. To solve this problem, MicroStream engineers explored and evaluated three different concepts and solutions using Liberty InstantOn, which supports fast startup times for new cluster nodes, enables optimal performance, and minimizes latency. This technology solution solves the complexities associated with Java startup times, allowing you to develop highly scalable and efficient applications in the cloud.

1. static cluster model: A static cluster model is a configuration where the number of nodes in the cluster is fixed and does not dynamically adjust according to workload or demand. In this scenario, the startup time of individual nodes is of secondary importance. If you adopt this approach, you can mark the first milestone of your project by building an EclipseStore cluster.
2. Proactive expansion: Pre-scaling is effective in creating dynamically scalable clusters even when nodes start slowly. New cluster nodes can be pre-started to alleviate long JVM startup times when load increases are expected. However, this approach has its drawbacks. If resources are already fully utilized during a sudden and unexpected load spike, a pre-scaled cluster may not respond quickly enough, resulting in poor performance. Accurately predicting load spikes is complex, and this approach can result in unnecessary costs as resources may become active when not immediately needed. Nonetheless, proactive scaling is more cost-effective than the static cluster model and is suitable for systems with mild load fluctuations, but may not be suitable for systems with frequent load changes.
3. GraalVM native image: GraalVM allows you to pre-compile Java code to generate native executables that start in milliseconds. Oracle promises significantly faster startup times (up to 50x) and a smaller memory footprint (up to 5x). This is impressive. This opens up the possibility of creating dynamically scalable Java applications using native images. However, native images have several drawbacks, including longer build times, increased build complexity, limited compatibility with other frameworks, limited support for reflection, and lack of dynamic class loading. Although larger base image sizes may be acceptable, the complete loss of JIT compiler runtime optimizations can be particularly problematic for EclipseStore users as it slows down overall in-memory data processing using Java.

InstantOn: A drop-in quick-start solution

There are significant benefits to using Liberty InstantOn to develop resilient and scalable EclipseStore apps. Liberty InstantOn, powered by MicroStream, allows users to save on infrastructure costs by easily scaling applications and microservices in a fully automated manner during both high and light load. Cluster setup, configuration, running, and monitoring are simple and efficient, without the need for complex cloud technologies like Kubernetes. Users also enjoy enterprise-grade security and support.

Customers like Allianz can leverage this technology stack to build and run fully automated and resilient Java applications and microservices in the cloud. The stack delivers ultra-fast real-time data processing, microsecond response and query times, and up to 96% savings in database costs. Java’s startup times can be slow, but Liberty InstantOn provides a solution by enabling fast startup times for new cluster nodes, ensuring optimal performance and minimizing latency. Liberty InstantOn allows customers to build highly scalable applications in the cloud without having to choose between startup times and the dynamic features and compatibility of Java.

EclipseStore and Liberty InstantOn enable you to realize the potential for lightning-fast data processing and significant cost savings in the cloud.

See what you can do with IBM WebSphere Liberty. Explore IBM Cloud Pak for Applications today.