Pros and Cons - (CosmosDB Serverless Mode)

CosmosDB is a popular NoSQL document database service from Microsoft that offers a serverless mode for cost-effective scaling. In this tutorial, we'll discuss the pros and cons of using CosmosDB serverless mode.

Syntax

There is no specific syntax for using CosmosDB serverless mode.

Example

To enable serverless mode in CosmosDB, you can select "Serverless" for the capacity mode during database creation. Once enabled, you will be charged based on the number of request units (RU) consumed by your database and not based on provisioned throughput.

{
  "name": "myserverlessdatabase",
  "location": "eastus",
  "properties": {
    "databaseAccountOfferType": "Standard",
    "consistencyPolicy": {
      "defaultConsistencyLevel": "Session"
    },
    "capabilities": [
      {
        "name": "EnableServerless",
        "description": "Serverless capacity mode"
      }
    ]
  }
}

Explanation

CosmosDB serverless mode is a cost-effective way to use the CosmosDB NoSQL document database service offered by Microsoft. It allows you to pay only for the amount of resources consumed by your database, rather than provisioning resources upfront.

Pros

• Cost-effective for applications with infrequent traffic or unpredictable workloads.
• Automatic scaling based on usage, which helps optimize costs and allocate resources efficiently.
• Access to the full range of CosmosDB features and capabilities that are available in provisioned capacity mode.

Cons

• Higher latency and lower performance compared to provisioned capacity mode.
• Not ideal for applications with consistently high or predictable traffic as its slow startup time may cause unexpected latency spikes.
• May require setting up autoscaling or manual monitoring to ensure that the database scales correctly and meets performance requirements.

Use

CosmosDB serverless mode is best suited for applications that have infrequent traffic, unpredictable workloads, or are in the development phase where the utilization of resources is lower than the needed provisioned capacity. Moreover, it provides an opportunity for small companies to use CosmosDB without committing to a fixed cost for provisioned capacity.

Important Points

Here are some important points to keep in mind when considering CosmosDB serverless mode:

• Monitor RU consumption to avoid unexpected costs.
• Consider the limitations of serverless mode, like higher latency and lower performance compared to provisioned mode, when building the app.
• Use appropriate autoscaling or manual monitoring to ensure that the database scales correctly to meet performance requirements.

Summary

In this tutorial, we discussed the pros and cons of using CosmosDB serverless mode. We covered the syntax, example, explanation, use, and some important points to keep in mind. By understanding the benefits and limitations of using CosmosDB serverless mode, you can decide whether it is the right fit for your application.