PolarDB is a next-generation cloud-native database developed by Alibaba Cloud. It uses a storage-compute decoupled architecture and combines software and hardware to provide a database service that features scalability in seconds, high performance, mass storage, and security. PolarDB for PostgreSQL Enterprise Edition is 100% compatible with multiple native PostgreSQL versions, including PostgreSQL 11, 14, 15, 16, and 17. Based on a cloud-native design, it combines the stability, reliability, high performance, and scalability of commercial databases with the simplicity, openness, and rapid iteration of open source databases.
PolarDB for PostgreSQL Enterprise Edition uses a storage-compute decoupled architecture where all compute nodes share a single copy of data. The service provides configuration scaling in minutes, fault recovery in seconds, global data consistency, and free data backup and disaster recovery services.
Key concepts
Clusters and nodes
A PolarDB cluster consists of one primary node and one or more read-only nodes. All nodes share a unified storage layer.
| Concept | Description |
|---|---|
| Cluster | A group of compute nodes that share the same storage. Each cluster has a unique cluster ID with the prefix pc. Clusters support cross-zone deployment but cannot span multiple regions. |
| Primary node | The read-write node in a cluster. Each cluster has exactly one primary node that handles both read and write operations. |
| Read-only node | A node that handles read operations only. Enterprise Edition clusters support up to 15 read-only nodes. Standard Edition clusters support up to 7. |
| Node | A physical node in a cluster. Each node has a unique node ID with the prefix pi. All nodes of the same type have the same functionality and specifications. |
Regions and zones
| Concept | Description |
|---|---|
| Region | The geographic area where a PolarDB cluster is deployed. |
| Zone | A physically separate area within a region, with independent power and networking infrastructure. Instances in the same zone have lower network latency than those in different zones. For more information, see Alibaba Cloud global infrastructure. |
Console
Manage PolarDB clusters through the Alibaba Cloud web console. From a single interface, you can create clusters, connect to databases, configure settings, and monitor cluster status.
Log in to the PolarDB console to get started.