Exasol Data Warehouse
By Exasol
The implementation process for Exasol software generally involves several key steps, which can vary slightly depending on whether the deployment is on-premises, in the cloud, or as a SaaS solution:
Planning and Preparation:
Hardware and Network Configuration: Determine the hardware requirements, network setup, and redundancy needs. This includes selecting the appropriate number of clusters and ensuring network compatibility.
License Selection: Choose the appropriate license model based on business needs—perpetual, annual subscription, or OEM license.
Installation:
On-Premises Installation: Use the Exasol Deployment Tool (c4) to install the software on Linux hosts. This involves configuring the installation parameters and running the installation script. The process typically takes between 20 to 90 minutes, depending on the number of hosts and the location of the installation files.
Cloud Deployment: For cloud-based installations, Exasol can be deployed on platforms like AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Bigstep. The cloud deployment process is managed through the respective cloud service provider's interface.
SaaS Deployment: Exasol SaaS eliminates the need for installation and maintenance, as the service is managed by Exasol. Users can quickly get started by accessing the web console to administer databases and clusters.
Configuration:
Database and Storage Management: Configure the EXACluster OS and EXAStorage for cluster and storage management. This includes setting up the EXAOperation web-based GUI for database management.
Security and Access Management: Implement authentication methods (e.g., LDAP/AD, Kerberos), access controls, and data encryption for both data-in-motion and data-at-rest.
Data Integration:
Connecting Data Sources: Integrate various data sources using ODBC, JDBC, ADO.NET, or EXAloader for bulk ETL processes. Exasol supports integration with Hadoop clusters and other data formats through virtual schemas.
Loading Data: Load data into Exasol from CSV files or other data sources using native SQL or tools like Keboola for building ETL/ELT pipelines.
Customization and Optimization:
Custom UDFs: Extend Exasol's capabilities by writing User-Defined Functions (UDFs) in languages like Lua, Python, Java, or R to support in-database analytics.
Performance Tuning: Utilize Exasol's self-optimizing engine to monitor and optimize system performance automatically, reducing the need for manual fine-tuning.
Testing and Validation:
Functional Testing: Ensure that all components are functioning correctly and that the system meets performance expectations.
User Acceptance Testing (UAT): Conduct UAT to validate that the system meets business requirements and is ready for production use.
Go-Live and Support:
Deployment to Production: Move the system to a production environment and monitor its performance.
Exasol Data Warehouse customization process:
Custom UDFs: Users can write UDFs in various programming languages to implement custom analytics and processing logic directly within the database.
Virtual Schemas: Exasol supports virtual schemas, allowing integration with heterogeneous data sources and translating different database command sets into standard SQL.
Scalability: The architecture allows for both vertical and horizontal scaling, making it adaptable to changing business requirements and data volumes.
Deployment Flexibility: Exasol can be deployed on-premises, in the cloud, or as a SaaS solution, providing flexibility in how the software is used and managed.
Training Programs:
Free Online Training: Exasol offers free online training modules that include videos, quizzes, and hands-on practice. These modules are self-paced and can be completed at the user's convenience.
Instructor-Led Training: For a more structured learning experience, Exasol provides instructor-led training sessions. These sessions cover various tracks such as common track, developer track, and administrator track.
Certification: Users can get certified by completing 70% of the hands-on exercises in each Exacademy course, which makes them eligible for a free attempt at the certification exam.
Support Services:
Technical Support: Exasol offers technical support through various channels, including a 24/7 hotline for enterprise customers. This support covers troubleshooting, performance tuning, and general assistance with the software.
Data Encryption: Exasol uses AES-256 for OS and storage disk encryption, and ChaCha20 for data in-motion encryption through JDBC, ODBC, ADO.NET, and CLI. TLS v1.2 is used for WebSockets.
Access Management: Exasol provides system, object, row, and column-level privileges to control access. It supports LDAP/AD and Kerberos for authentication, and multi-factor authentication (MFA) can be used with other methods.
Auditing: Exasol captures all sessions and SQL command executions, including details like CPU, network, and hard disk read/write, without impacting performance.
Data Deletion: For permanently deleting data, Exasol uses the Linux tool shred, which performs multiple overwrites to ensure data is irrecoverable.
Release Frequency: Exasol releases updates regularly, with a structured release cycle that includes major, minor, and patch updates. Each release is supported for two years or until the next two releases are available, ensuring that users have access to the latest features and security enhancements.
Update Management
On-Premises: Update Command: The primary method for updating Exasol on-premises is through the c4 update cluster command. This command updates all clusters in the deployment to the specified version using a downloaded update package.
Procedure: The update procedure involves shutting down the existing system, applying the update, and restarting the system. Users must have privileged access to the remote system via SSH to perform the update.
Cloud: AWS and Other Cloud Platforms: For cloud deployments, updates are managed through the respective cloud service provider's interface. Users download the update package from the Exasol Download portal and apply it using the cloud platform's tools.
Data Ownership: Exasol ensures that data is always deployed in the customer's cloud account, which means that customers have full control over their data. This setup allows customers to manage their data independently and ensures that Exasol does not have access to the data unless explicitly granted by the customer.
Data Portability: Exasol supports data portability, allowing customers to receive their personal data in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format. This enables customers to transfer their data to another controller if needed. The right to data portability is in line with GDPR requirements, ensuring that customers can move their data freely and securely.
Key Points:
Full Control: Customers maintain full control over their data as it is deployed in their own cloud accounts.
Structured Format: Data can be provided in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format for easy transfer.
Automatic Renewal: Contracts are automatically renewed if not canceled at least three months before the new subscription period. This is a common practice to ensure continuity of service unless explicitly terminated by the client.
Cancellation Notice: Clients must cancel their renewal in writing within the specified notice period. Failure to do so will result in all charges becoming payable, and cancellation will not be accepted.
End-of-Contract Process:
Prior to the end of the contract or contract renewal date, Exasol discusses the forward plan with the client's key contact.
If the contract is ending, Exasol works with the key contact to ensure all user data and collateral are retrieved or extracted before the contract end date.
Standard data extraction tools are built into the service, but special data migration to a new service may incur additional charges.
Exasol Data Warehouse adheres to the following compliance standards:
ISO/IEC 27001:2013: Exasol is certified under ISO/IEC 27001, which is an international standard for information security management. This certification ensures that Exasol follows the highest standards regarding information security, including a broad range of policies, access control regulations, and incident response plans.
ISO 9001:2015: Exasol is also certified under ISO 9001:2015, a globally recognized quality management standard. This certification demonstrates Exasol's ability to consistently provide products and services that meet customer and regulatory requirements, aiming to enhance customer satisfaction through effective system application and continuous improvement.
SQL Standard Compliance: Exasol complies with various parts of the SQL standard (ISO/IEC 9075:2008). It supports numerous mandatory and optional features of the SQL 2008 standard, including user-defined stored procedures, function invocation, CALL and RETURN statements, and various data manipulation and definition capabilities.
GDPR Compliance: Exasol ensures compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which includes provisions for data portability, allowing customers to receive their personal data in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format.
