What are the Benefits and Drawbacks of In-Memory Data Storage?

Utilizing in-memory database architecture makes it possible for web applications to access data dramatically faster than they can when communicating with traditional disc/SSD databases. Simply put, in-memory storage means data is held primarily in a server's RAM drive - a temporary memory bank fundamentally designed to make data available more quickly.

Storing and accessing data from RAM powers many of the high-speed data analytics components we see in real-time industry applications, including everything from medical device monitoring to financial analysis and online gaming. If in-memory storage didn't exist, real-time data analytics wouldn't be possible.

Due to several key drawbacks, however, leveraging in-memory storage over disc storage usually depends on having a very relevant use-case. Leaning on temporary storage can put companies at risk of losing data in the case of sudden power outages or system failures, and the cost of purchasing and maintaining an in-memory database is typically much higher than disc storage.

How can In-Memory Data Storage Impact a Virus & Malware Scanning Service?

Applying in-memory data storage concepts to a Virus & Malware Scanning API service affords two major benefits - the second of which actually stems from one of the usual drawbacks. In-memory scanning allows for 1) extremely fast round trip processing speeds and 2) naturally enhanced customer data security.

In this context, the possibility of losing RAM data in an outage is not a concern, because that data is only copied from the customer's disc to begin with; it should and will be released from its temporary storage location once the Virus & Malware Scanning API request is complete. There is no need for copies of customer data to be stored on another disc.

Cloudmersive In-Memory Virus Scanning

The Cloudmersive Virus Scan API is a stateless, high-performance API which scans customer data from temporary in-memory storage. This makes it possible for sub-second typical response times (10ms – 200ms round trip with extremely high throughput). All data stored in-memory is released upon completion of the scan; no customer data is stored to disc under any circumstances.

For more information on the Cloudmersive Virus Scan API’s features & KPIs, please do not hesitate to reach out to a member of our sales team.