<h2>What is SQL?</h2>
The term SQL stands for ‘Structured Query Language’, a domain-specific language used in data management. The language is used in relational database management systems due to its advantages in handling structured data and ability to incorporate relations among data.
<h2>What is a relational database?</h2>
A relational database organizes data in tables, and has the ability to handle complex relationships between different data points. Data is sorted into columns and rows, with a unique key identifying each row. Rows in the table can be linked to rows in other tables using these keys, allowing the relationships between sets of data to be tracked. Relational databases can use SQL to query and update the database.
Many businesses use SQL-based relational databases to store large records of information, so availability and data backup is vital.
<h2>What is SQL server replication?</h2>
SQL server replication is a method for duplicating and sharing data (and database objects) across multiple databases and servers. A single set of data stored in a SQL database is copied to a secondary server in a process known as master-slave replication. Any updates to the master database are made simultaneously to the additional server, aiming to enhance performance and preserve consistency.
This master-slave replication is a typical setup, but businesses can also employ master-master replication, which enables data to be copied from either server to the other. As SQL reads or writes can be performed from either server, access to data is more manageable and the possibility of data loss is greatly reduced.
<h3>Why use SQL server replication?</h3>
SQL server replication offers high availability by distributing data and objects from one database to another. There are several types of replication which can be used, including snapshot replication, transactional replication, and merge replication. Replication is usually used by mobile applications or server apps that are distributed and might have conflicts in their data. 
SQL server replication is beneficial in a number of instances, for example, in data analysis where reports can be run on slave servers so the master database won’t be slowed down or corrupted. Data replication from single servers that are under large loads also supports scalability, increasing capacity and ensuring the speed of the master database is not affected.
SQL replication can also be replicated across different geographic locations. This provides an ideal solution for international businesses and increases the overall performance of the master database.
<h2>What is SQL server clustering?</h2>
SQL server clustering, also known as database clustering, is a high-availability solution where multiple SQL server instances (or nodes) are connected in a cluster, with access to  a SAN (Storage Area Network) for shared storage.The SQL server data can be accessed from any instance,  so if one node has an issue, you can seamlessly switch to a different node on the cluster.
<h3>Why use SQL server clustering?</h3>
When you are storing and processing critical data on your database, an interruption in access could cause significant issues. While you can take precautions to limit the risk of downtime, any infrastructure is liable to server or hardware faults or failures, which is where disaster recovery planning is essential. As a high availability solution, SQL server clustering ensures uninterrupted access to your data &#8211; in the instance of any issue with a server instance, another instance can take over. 
Clustering is also beneficial for planned downtime of a node, for example if you wanted to run a security patch on one server instance, another node on the cluster can be used to avoid overall disruption of operations. 
SQL server clustering additionally supports load balancing. If one server instance is under a heavy strain, another instance can take over some of the traffic, optimizing the performance of the nodes. 
<h2>Replication vs clustering</h2>

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SQL Server Replication vs Clustering Diagram

Both SQL server replication and clustering support high availability and disaster recovery in distinct ways. As a simplified explanation, replication backs up data across multiple databases and servers, whereas clustering connects multiple server instances with shared memory. Replication allows for data to be backed up and protected, and supports scalability and performance improvements, while clustering improves fault tolerance, allowing for seamless switching between server instances in the event of planned or unplanned downtime. 
For important or high transaction applications we recommend a mixture of SQL server replication and clustering. This will give you complete automatic fail-over of databases as well as load balancing of transactions across multiple databases.
<h2>SQL server hosting with Hyve</h2>
Our flexible solutions allow you to connect SQL servers to hosted websites or to run intensive queries, manipulate data and set access controls. Whether you prefer to use MS SQL, MySQL, MariaDB, or any other SQL database, we can host and manage your infrastructure with top-of-the-line hardware, and 24/7/365 support and monitoring. Find out how <a href="https://www.hyve.com/en-us/technology/sql-hosting/">our SQL hosting</a> could benefit your business. 
Speak to our cloud experts today for an initial consultation on the best <a href="https://www.hyve.com/en-us/technology/sql-hosting/">SQL server hosting solution</a> for you. <a href="https://www.hyve.com/en-us/contact-us/">Fill out our contact form</a> and we will be in touch.

SQL Server Replication & Clustering Explained

While blockchain was officially introduced in 2009 powering the launch of Bitcoin, the term came into the public eye in 2017/2018, as the price of Bitcoin skyrocketed. For many people, blockchain is synonymous with Bitcoin and cryptocurrency, but it is an important technology in its own right, with a wide range of applications. 
When integrated with cloud hosting, the benefits of blockchain technology are amplified. We’re taking a look at what it is, how it works, and how a managed cloud hosting solution can support your business to make the most of blockchain. 
<h2>What is blockchain?</h2>
Blockchain is a secure and transparent method of recording and sharing data within a network. Records, known as blocks, are listed in a continuously growing chain, forming a distributed database. The chain cannot be deleted or modified without notifying the network, meaning blockchain technology creates an ‘immutable’ ledger of data. 
This immutable nature brings significant benefits for many industries. Blockchain technology was brought into the public eye through its use in cryptocurrency, where it is used to create a digital ledger of transactions which are secure against hackers. Blockchain is also frequently used across the fintech sector more broadly, streamlining operational processes, payment services, and for Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs). Other common use cases include identity and data verification, recording ownership history and provenance of high-value items for insurance, tracking supply chains, and decentralizing healthcare records. 
Blockchain can be either public, private, or hybrid, combining elements of both private and public. 
A public blockchain has no restrictions to access, with all members having equal rights to contribute to and view the data. The control and decision making relies on a distributed network, rather than a centralized entity. This improves transparency and trust in the data. Examples of public blockchains include cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin and Ethereum. 
A private blockchain, also known as a managed blockchain, operates slightly differently to a public blockchain, as there is a single authority in control, determining access. While public blockchain is fully decentralized, private blockchain is considered partially decentralized, as it has access restrictions limiting who can be a participant in the network.  A private blockchain will be most commonly used by businesses where the data needs to be protected, so access to the network cannot be public. 
A hybrid blockchain network takes a middle ground, where private and public systems are run in tandem. Access to specific data can be controlled through the private element, and the rest of the data can be publicly available. 
<h2>How does blockchain work?</h2>
The process can be simplified to four steps.
<ol>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Transaction initiation &#8211; A transaction is initiated by a user in the network, which is digitally signed using the sender’s private key to ensure authenticity. </li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Transaction verification &#8211; A network of computers, known as nodes, receive the broadcast transaction, and validate it using algorithms to ensure it is legitimate and follows protocol rules. </li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Block formation &#8211; The transaction is bundled with other validated transactions into a block, containing a list of transactions, a timestamp, a reference to the previous block, and a cryptographic ‘hash’ &#8211; a unique identifier. The hash provides a way to monitor for data changes, as if the contents of the block are altered, the hash value changes.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Blockchain update &#8211; A consensus mechanism is used to ensure the majority of the network participants agree on the validity of the recorded transactions in the new block. Each blockchain system will have its own rules for consent. Once consensus is achieved, the new block is permanently added into the blockchain. Each block contains the unique hash of the previous block, ensuring data integrity. After the hash has been applied, it is distributed across all nodes in the network for transparency and security.</li>
</ol>
<h2>What are the benefits of integrating blockchain with managed cloud hosting</h2>
Cloud hosting pools computing resources from a network of physical and virtual servers forming an interconnected infrastructure. For full details on how this works, read our insight ‘<a href="https://www.hyve.com/en-us/insights/what-is-cloud-hosting/">What is cloud hosting?</a>’. There are several different cloud hosting models, which each have their own use cases. The most commonly used models are <a href="https://www.hyve.com/en-us/cloud-hosting/public-cloud/">public cloud</a>, <a href="https://www.hyve.com/en-us/cloud-hosting/managed-vmware-private-cloud-hosting/">private cloud</a>, <a href="https://www.hyve.com/en-us/cloud-hosting/vmware-managed-cloud/">enterprise cloud</a>, and <a href="https://www.hyve.com/en-us/dedicated-servers/">dedicated servers</a>. 
Cloud hosting services are offered by providers such as Hyve, and can be <a href="https://www.hyve.com/en-us/insights/managed-vs-unmanaged-cloud/">managed or unmanaged</a>. Managed cloud, where the provider offers a layer of ongoing management and support on top of your cloud platform, has particular benefits for businesses working with blockchain.
<h3>Scalability</h3>
Blockchain businesses can struggle with scalability &#8211; the ever-growing nature of blockchain means that resources may need to be increased rapidly to process and store data. Cloud hosting solutions are easily scalable by nature &#8211; virtualization means that additional Virtual Machines (VMs) can be created from physical servers, extending their capacity. These new VMs are integrated in the cloud infrastructure, working together with existing resources. In-house management of a growing network can be time and resource intensive, requiring expert employees. A managed service provider (MSP) can support this management, monitoring capacity, creating new VMs, and ensuring fast and reliable communication between all elements of the infrastructure. 
<h3>Cost-efficiency</h3>
Blockchain can be resource intensive, needing high bandwidth for data transfer and validation between nodes, and sufficient storage. If businesses are not careful, the cost of these resources can spiral, leading to higher bills than expected. Cloud hosting can be a cost effective alternative to on-premise infrastructure, as instead of having to pay for costly hardware yourself, you can effectively rent the hardware from your cloud provider. The virtualization possible with cloud allows you to benefit from a wide reaching network, which would be cost-prohibitive with only physical servers. 
Managed cloud provides further cost savings, allowing you to benefit from a team of experts acting as an extension of your business, without the recruitment and salary costs of hiring in-house. The right managed cloud provider will take a consultative approach, working with you to analyse your business needs, and design and deploy a solution which optimizes your resources and makes the most of your budget. Your provider can also monitor your infrastructure, strategically scaling your resources as needed and making sure your costs do not spiral. 
<h3>Global reach and availability</h3>
As blockchain uses a distributed network of nodes, it is ideally paired with cloud hosting, where your infrastructure can also be distributed across multiple locations. When operating with users globally, it is vital to ensure latency is minimized. Working with a global cloud provider gives you access to a network of data centers, meaning wherever your users are you can operate nearby. This optimizes performance across your infrastructure, delivering the best experience for your users. 
Distributing copies of the blockchain across multiple nodes ensures redundancy, meaning there is no central point that can be shut down or impacted by a disaster. The reliability and availability of the blockchain is therefore high.  
<h3>Security</h3>
Cryptography (the practice of encoding information) is central to blockchain. The cryptographic hashing used when creating the blocks encrypts the information contained, and can only be accessed with the user&#8217;s key. The decentralization and principle of consensus in blockchain also ensure its security, as it is incredibly difficult for one attacker or group to infiltrate the network or tamper with the data.   
While blockchain technology is incredibly secure, and it is nearly impossible to hack into the blockchain itself, there can be weaknesses in the surrounding infrastructure. For example, if you are running a private or hybrid blockchain network containing sensitive transactions and data, this information is visible to anyone in the network. A hacker could exploit one user’s vulnerabilities, for example a lack of multi-factor authentication, or weak antivirus protection, and gain access to the network, and the data it contains. 
With a managed cloud solution, your infrastructure can be protected with a full <a href="https://www.hyve.com/en-us/security/">security stack</a> across the whole network. Implementing a comprehensive security solution, which can include encryption, firewalls, VPNs, access management protocols, and more, protects your blockchain infrastructure. A managed provider can also provide advanced monitoring services, which will predict and detect any potential threats, allowing you to defend your infrastructure. 
<h2>Why choose Hyve for your blockchain hosting needs?</h2>
Whether your company solely focuses on blockchain, or you are incorporating the technology into your processes, our managed cloud hosting is the ideal choice for companies seeking a tailored and scalable solution. 
With a global footprint of secure data centers, we can deploy infrastructure worldwide, making sure you are always near your users. Our cloud experts design bespoke platforms to meet your requirements, with 24/7/365 support and management allowing us to become an extension of your business. You can find full details of our solutions for blockchain on our <a href="https://www.hyve.com/en-us/blockchain-hosting/">blockchain hosting page</a>, or alternatively, for an initial consultation, <a href="https://www.hyve.com/en-us/contact-us/">fill out our contact form</a> and one of our experts will be in touch.

Blockchain and Managed Cloud Hosting | A Perfect Match

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