Omnidex Grids are a feature of the Omnidex product line that allow large databases to be distributed across multiple processors or servers. This improves performance by allowing a query to be processed on the fewest nodes possible using multiple concurrent processors. This approach allows great scalability and provides convenient mechanisms for adding new data to the database.
An Omnidex Grid consists of one or more computers used in combination to satisfy Omnidex queries. Some Omnidex Grids are placed on one or more large, multi-processor computers. Other Omnidex Grids are placed on an array of inexpensive, commodity, desktop PCs. Both types of grids perform well, and each has distinct advantages.
An Omnidex Grid can also ease the process of absorbing new data. In some installations, new data can be placed in a new node on the grid. This allows the new node to be indexed without having to re-index the entire database. In very large databases, this can make a tremendous difference in performance.
Many Omnidex Grids are created as an Omnidex Snapshot, meaning that the underlying data is distributed into flat files across multiple directories or servers. These become very high-performing databases that can satisfy a wide variety of queries very quickly. Omnidex Grids can also be created against the underlying database, though the nodes then remain tethered to the servers hosting the database.
Large production applications often require scalability to insure performance as the database grows in size and as the users grow in number. Omnidex Grids enable applications to scale; however, this approach can also be paired with Parallel Servers.
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