What is Azure Managed Instance for Apache Cassandra?
Azure Managed Instance for Apache Cassandra is a fully managed service for Apache Cassandra clusters. The service enables deploying and managing scalable NoSQL databases without the operational overhead of cluster management.
The service is compatible with open-source Cassandra and uses its CQL API. Existing Cassandra applications can be migrated without code changes. Azure handles patching, backups, and scaling.
Core Features
- Fully managed Cassandra clusters with automatic patching
- Compatibility with Apache Cassandra CQL API
- Horizontal scaling by adding nodes
- Integration into Azure Virtual Networks for network isolation
- Automatic backups with point-in-time recovery
Typical Use Cases
IoT Data Platforms: High-volume time-series data from IoT sensors is stored in Cassandra for fast writes and analytical queries.
E-Commerce Catalogs: Product catalogs with millions of items benefit from Cassandra’s fast reads and global distribution.
Session Management: User sessions for web applications are stored in Cassandra to enable horizontal scaling.
Benefits
- No cluster administration required
- Existing Cassandra expertise remains usable
- Hybrid deployment with on-premises Cassandra possible
- Predictable costs through node-based billing
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Cassandra version is supported?
The service is based on Apache Cassandra 4.x and is compatible with CQL protocol v4.
Can I connect my on-premises Cassandra cluster?
Yes, hybrid deployments are possible. On-premises nodes can be connected with Azure managed nodes in a shared cluster.
How does scaling work?
Horizontal scaling is done by adding or removing nodes. Data is automatically rebalanced.
What is the difference from Cosmos DB Cassandra API?
Managed Instance is pure open-source Cassandra. Cosmos DB Cassandra API is a Cosmos DB implementation with Cassandra protocol compatibility but offers different consistency and scaling models.
Integration with innFactory
As a Microsoft Solutions Partner, innFactory supports you in migrating to and operating Azure Managed Instance for Apache Cassandra. We help with architecture, migration, and performance optimization.
Contact us for a non-binding consultation on Azure Managed Instance for Apache Cassandra.
