Achieving Cache-level Performance Without Using RAM as Data Storage | Real-time Data Summit 2024

Behrad Babaee, a Principal Solutions Architect at Aerospike, goes over the process of achieving high performance in databases without heavy reliance on caching. Try Aerospike Cloud for free: https://auth.control.aerospike.cloud/...

With decades of database norms being challenged, Behrad explains the trade-offs between memory vs. disk, the real impact of caching on application performance, and how Aerospike rethinks the architecture to eliminate the need for caching altogether. This results in in lower latency, higher throughput, and reduced infrastructure costs.

What You’ll Learn:
Why traditional databases rely heavily on RAM caching

The real-world limitations of cache-based performance

How modern SSDs have changed the game

The truth about latency vs. throughput

How Aerospike uses a memory-resident index and fast storage access to deliver consistent sub-millisecond response times

Why caching doesn’t necessarily help application latency

The hidden risks of testing apps in environments that "seem fast" due to caching

How Aerospike delivers high performance, low cost, and eco-efficiency

🔍 Key Topics Covered:
Disk vs. memory: cost, speed, persistence

The illusion of cache-driven speed in dev/test environments

Why caching often leads to inconsistent application behavior

The rise of disk-first, memory-efficient database architectures

Aerospike’s unique approach: no cache layer, in-memory indexes, efficient disk I/O

Sustainability benefits of lower hardware requirements

💡 Who Should Watch:
Software engineers and architects

DevOps and SRE professionals

Database administrators

Cloud architects and platform engineers

Anyone working with real-time, high-scale, or cost-sensitive data platforms

Explore Aerospike: https://www.aerospike.com

Aerospike Database
https://aerospike.com/products/database/

Aerospike Documentation Guide
https://aerospike.com/docs/

Build with Aerospike
https://aerospike.com/docs/develop/

#Aerospike #DatabasePerformance #HighPerformanceComputing