Objectivity/DB
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| Objectivity/DB | |
|---|---|
| Name | Objectivity/DB |
| Developer | Objectivity, Inc. |
| Released | 1990s |
| Programming language | C++, Java |
| Operating system | Microsoft Windows, Linux, UNIX |
| Genre | Object database, distributed database |
| License | Proprietary |
Objectivity/DB is a distributed, object-oriented database management system designed for high-performance, scalable storage and retrieval of complex data models. It targets applications in industries such as telecommunications, aerospace, finance, and defense, and integrates with languages and platforms used by enterprise and scientific computing teams. The system emphasizes distributed data placement, parallel query execution, and tight control over transactional integrity for large-scale, persistent object graphs.
Overview
Objectivity/DB implements a federated, distributed database architecture aimed at managing persistent objects across networks and clusters. It competes conceptually with other persistence solutions and database technologies from vendors and projects such as Oracle Corporation, IBM Db2, Microsoft SQL Server, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Hewlett-Packard Enterprise, Teradata, and Ingres Corporation. Its design is relevant to systems built using toolchains from Sun Microsystems, Intel Corporation, Red Hat, Novell, and integrated environments like Eclipse Foundation and Apache Software Foundation projects. Objectivity/DB has been adopted in mission-critical deployments alongside platforms from Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Siemens, and General Electric.
Architecture and Components
The core architecture centers on a federated database model with distributed data stores coordinated by a lock server and transaction manager. Components interact with client applications written in languages such as Java, and middleware frameworks from BEA Systems and IBM WebSphere. Key internal components include the federation catalog, object containers, datastores, and the distributed lock manager; these integrate with storage subsystems from EMC Corporation, NetApp, and Dell EMC arrays. Networking and clustering aspects leverage protocols and infrastructures common to TCP/IP, InfiniBand, and enterprise orchestration tools from VMware, Inc. and Kubernetes deployments.
Features and Capabilities
Objectivity/DB provides features for persistent object identity, transparent object navigation, ACID transactions, and fine-grained locking for concurrent access. It supports schema evolution in object schemas used by projects at NASA, European Space Agency, and CERN. Integration capabilities include bindings and connectors to middleware and messaging systems like Apache Kafka, RabbitMQ, and TIBCO; analytics and visualization tie into ecosystems such as MATLAB, R, and Tableau Software. Backup, replication, and recovery are designed to work with enterprise data protection products from Symantec and Commvault.
Use Cases and Applications
Typical deployments include large-scale sensor data management, command and control systems, geospatial information systems, and real-time monitoring. Objectivity/DB has been used in projects for aerospace contractors including Airbus, Northrop Grumman, and Thales Group; in telecommunications by firms such as Nokia and Ericsson; and in financial services alongside institutions like Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase. Scientific research collaborations at Los Alamos National Laboratory, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, and meteorological centers rely on object databases for complex simulation output and provenance management.
Performance and Scalability
The system emphasizes horizontal scaling via federation partitioning and parallel client-server interactions, with benchmarks often comparing distributed throughput against relational and NoSQL systems from MongoDB, Inc., Apache Cassandra, and HBase. Performance tuning involves placement strategies, cache sizing, and network optimization using hardware from Cisco Systems and Arista Networks. Scalability patterns mirror those employed in distributed computing projects such as SETI@home and grid infrastructures used by Open Grid Forum participants.
Security and Administration
Administration covers user and role management, auditing, and integration with directory services like Microsoft Active Directory and OpenLDAP. Security features align with enterprise compliance frameworks and standards referenced by organizations such as National Institute of Standards and Technology, ISO/IEC, and European Union Agency for Cybersecurity. Operational management is commonly integrated into orchestration and monitoring stacks from Splunk, Nagios, and Prometheus.
History and Development
Development began in the early era of object databases, influenced by academic and industry research from universities and labs associated with Carnegie Mellon University, Stanford University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the University of California, Berkeley. The product evolved through partnerships and commercial engagements with systems integrators like Accenture, Capgemini, and IBM Global Services. Over time, Objectivity/DB adapted to industry shifts toward distributed computing, cloud platforms such as Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform, and integration with containerization trends popularized by Docker and Kubernetes.