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PolarDB:Cloud native capabilities

Last Updated:Mar 28, 2026

PolarDB's cloud-native architecture decouples compute from storage, so you can scale capacity in response to business demand without the overhead of traditional database deployments.

Fast scaling

Add a compute node and it is in service within 5 minutes. Upgrading a node from 4 cores to 88 cores takes no more than 10 minutes.

Auto scaling

PolarDB for PostgreSQL (Compatible with Oracle) supports rule-based auto scaling. Define a policy once, and PolarDB automatically upgrades or downgrades database instances each time the policy is triggered — no manual steps required.

Auto scaling is well-suited for workloads with predictable peaks and troughs.

To manage the capacity of both application servers and PolarDB databases together, integrate with Alibaba Cloud Auto Scaling. For containerized workloads, combine PolarDB auto scaling with Container Service for Kubernetes (ACK).

Billable items for Serverless instances

Serverless instances scale automatically to match workload demand. No upfront capacity planning is required — instances adjust on their own, and you are charged only for the database space you use.

DBaaS

PolarDB Platform as a Service (PaaS) is a lightweight Database as a Service (DBaaS) built for the offline database market and the hybrid cloud database market. It provides the same user experience as public clouds, with a one-stop platform for lifecycle management and automated operations and maintenance (O&M). Characteristics include:

  • Enterprise-grade reliability: Stable, reliable, and deployable in flexible configurations.

  • Expert-backed O&M: Database expert services and after-sales O&M support are included.

Resource scheduling

The resource scheduling feature of PolarDB PaaS improves resource utilization and enables automatic O&M and predictive capacity management. It is designed for both small-scale data centers and large-scale hybrid cloud environments.