Source URL: https://blog.cloudflare.com/migrating-billions-of-records-moving-our-active-dns-database-while-in-use
Source: The Cloudflare Blog
Title: Migrating billions of records: moving our active DNS database while it’s in use
Feedly Summary: DNS records have moved to a new database, bringing improved performance and reliability to all customers.
AI Summary and Description: Yes
**Summary:**
The provided text details the complex process undertaken by Cloudflare to migrate its DNS records to a new database. This migration was crucial for improving the performance and reliability of Cloudflare’s DNS services, given the significant challenges posed by scaling infrastructure for high-demand services. The article highlights methodologies developed and challenges faced during a critical evolution in Cloudflare’s infrastructure, providing key insights into database management and migration strategies that can inform security and technology professionals.
**Detailed Description:**
The migration of Cloudflare’s DNS records from its original Postgres database, cfdb, to a new cluster, dnsdb, was driven by the need to optimize performance and manageability amid significant growth. Key points include:
– **Current DNS Landscape:**
– As of October 2024, Cloudflare provides authoritative DNS services to 14.5% of all websites, showing significant market reliance on their infrastructure.
– DNS is likened to a phone book for the Internet, managing large volumes of essential data.
– **Need for Migration:**
– cfdb was becoming increasingly strained under the load due to unrelated services, leading to performance degradation.
– The DNS team’s decision to detach from cfdb stemmed from scaling challenges and the necessity for more efficient database access.
– **Migration Phases & Challenges:**
– The migration involved several phases: pre-migration preparation, the actual migration process, and post-migration optimization.
– Complexity arose from the need to separate DNS data from non-DNS related settings stored in zones.
– Implementation of a new DNS Records gRPC API to control access to DNS data tightly.
– **Change Data Capture and Transfer Service (CDCTS):**
– Central to the migration was the introduction of a Change Data Capture and Transfer Service, ensuring no data loss and minimal downtime, essential for maintaining trust and reliability.
– Auditing capabilities were integrated to enhance transparency during the migration process.
– **Implementation Strategy:**
– The migration was conducted with rigorous strategies such as near-real-time updates, using triggers for data capturing, and employing batch processing to maintain performance while minimizing downtime.
– A locking system allowed control over which database was live during the migration process, optimizing the changeover between databases.
– **Outcomes:**
– Post-migration, Cloudflare saw substantial improvements in API latencies and a notable increase in usage, with CPU usage reduced significantly.
– The DNS team gained refined control over database settings to accommodate growth and improve performance under load, ensuring resilience during peak times.
**Key Takeaways for Security and Compliance Professionals:**
– Understanding the intricacies of database migrations in high-availability services is crucial for maintaining data integrity and performance.
– The implementation of monitoring and troubleshooting mechanisms during transitions can prevent service disruption.
– Engaging in proactive infrastructure optimizations is vital for accommodating sustained growth, especially when facing increasing customer demands.
– The methodology applied by Cloudflare can provide a framework for similar migrations or upgrades within other organizations’ infrastructures, emphasizing the importance of meticulous planning and execution in data management practices.