Would my data be safer in a managed database?

Ryan Carpenter_ubp5b5

This question is an extension of best practices for database setup, which discusses whether to install Confluence and its database on the same or separate servers. I use Confluence with PostgreSQL (on the same server), while relying on my own 'enthusiast' level of server admin skill to keep things running smoothly. I get by, but there is always a risk of error, so my question is this:

With Linux server and Confluence maintenance in the hands of a relative amateur, would putting the data in a separate managed server have merit, or just add complexity?

Regular backups are a given, of course, and I understand that no place is 'safe' from potential data loss. I am merely asking if a managed database might provide a modicum of additional protection or convenience, for instance, when upgrading Confluence or the server operating system.

DPKJ

This is just a personal preference, and policies that are imposed by your organization.

• My thumb rule is, "How often service updates database?"
  
  • So, if I see database updates are very often like once per 20 minutes (during peak) I will go with separate machine.
  • I do this so that I can update database server and application server separately. (things can go sideways during this)
• Maintaining separate machine just for the DB is always an overhead though, so
  • I also see if I can merge DB's of two-three services on one DB machine.
  • If I can get high performance machine (because with network overhead, your service will definitely slower)

 

And finally, I maintain both kind Confluence instance, and I have not face issue with them (especially, after switching to Postgres). But for new instances (now a days when you can have multi-core machine for very cheap), I don't want maintain overhead of DB machine, its security, its update regime, etc.