Introduction
With the rise in popularity of the Redis server amongst the developer community, its numerous characteristics and use cases make it an absolutely essential software for organizations to develop and iterate applications seamlessly. The prolific data caching technology is expressed through the state-of-the-art Redis cache, whereas the server doubles up as a session storage system as well. By blending the best offerings from both worlds, the Redis server has emerged as one of the fastest-growing and oft-preferred data stores amongst developers worldwide.
What is a session storage system?
A web application is a type of a session-oriented application where a user logs in, and the session starts, and it continues until the user remains active. The session times out when the user logs out or discontinues the session. During this tenure, the application stores all the user-related data about the particular session in the main memory or a session storage system. The session storage system is an impressive database that contains the session data and does not lose it when the application goes down due to unforeseen incidents. Session data is of various types and includes user profile information, themes, personalized data, messages, targeted promotions, recommendations, discounts, and many more.
The contrasting points between a cache and a session storage system:
● Data isolation:
The session storage system does not share data amongst individual users who have logged in to the same session by its unique solutions architecture that ensures data isolation.
● Differential data lifecycle:
The cached data meaning is different for session storage and a system cache. The data lifecycle differs in these two cases. A write-through storage caching system decreases the throughput for write operations. In contrast, the session storage system concentrates on reading and writing data operations to the in-memory database. While a storage caching system can afford to compromise on the performance due to write operations, a session storage system cannot do the same.
● Data durability:
In the case of a session storage system, the data is not transient or short-lived. The session store data is valid when the session is live, and thus the system needs to satisfy the data durability concerns of a proper database. The data loss in case of a system cache means you will get a copy in the permanent data store.
● Critical requirements:
In a session storage system, the need for high availability, replication, and data durability is increased to prevent transactional data loss. On the other hand, in data caching scenarios, the high availability requirements for caching focus on operational requirements and cache stampeding prevention.
How has the Redis server revolutionized session storage and data caching systems?
The Redis Enterprise has developed the Redis server, which has been an epitome of storage caching. This particular instance of a popular datastore that is prolific in both cache and session storage use cases are phenomenal. With the Redis cache’s development that keeps all the data caching requirements in-memory and reduces latencies with sub-millisecond responses, the Redis server has removed all the hassles for developers to integrate a session store with caching technology.
The Redis server also presents immense data persistence with its prolific Redis cache that prevents accidental data loss from the device. Its advanced durability is ideal for the session storage system that is integrated with an in-memory replication. Thus, the Redis server can function as a data caching and session storage system in a singular setup.
Redis on shared hosting
With the open-source software Redis, shared hosting on multiple platforms is possible. The in-memory database that doubles up as session storage and a cache finds several compatible platforms that make Redis on shared hosting a breeze.
- ScaleGrid
- Kamatera
- Elasticache
- RedisGreen
- Aiven
- Redis Labs
- Compose
- DigitalOcean and more.
With the collaboration of the Redis Enterprise and Microsoft, the Azure for Redis cache has improved operational resiliency and minimized scalability issues, while making installation of Redis windows effortless and straightforward.
In the end
Though the data caching and session storage systems are two unique use cases, the Redis server is the unique offering by the Redis Enterprise, which effectively blends both worlds and provides the best user experience. With appropriate architecture and design, the Redis server has emerged as the fan-favorite amongst the developers. Its exceptional capabilities prevent a cache stampede with the Redis cache while maintaining high availability and durability, supporting transactional data and unhindered user engagement.