Cassandra 5.0

Apache Cassandra Deployment Guide for AWS and Kubernetes - 2025 Edition

🚀 What’s New in This 2025 Update

Major Changes Since 2017

• Cassandra 5.0 - ACID transactions, cost-based query optimizer, vector search for AI workloads
• Cloud-Native Deployment - 85% of users now deploy on cloud with Kubernetes operators
• Modern AWS Instances - Graviton (r6g), Im4gn series for better price/performance
• Container Orchestration - Kubernetes operators (Cass Operator, K8ssandra) for automated management
• Advanced Security - Encryption, RBAC, IAM integration, TLS automation
• Modern Observability - Prometheus/Grafana integration with automated alerting

Key Improvements

• ✅ Better Performance - 50% improvement with modern instance types and storage
• ✅ Enhanced Security - Zero-trust architecture with comprehensive encryption
• ✅ Automated Operations - Kubernetes operators handle scaling, upgrades, and repairs
• ✅ AI-Ready - Vector search and machine learning workload support

Modern Cassandra Architecture Overview

Apache Cassandra 5.0 represents a significant evolution in distributed database technology, now supporting ACID transactions, advanced query optimization, and AI workloads. Modern deployments emphasize cloud-native patterns, containerization, and automated operations.

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AWS Cassandra 2025: Cassandra 5.0, NUMA, and Graviton4 Performance Guide

What’s New in 2025

Key Updates and Changes

• Graviton4 Processors: Up to 40% faster than Graviton3 for databases, 192 cores at 2.8 GHz
• NUMA Evolution: Two-socket NUMA memory clustering on Graviton4 for improved performance
• Cassandra 5.0: Enhanced NUMA awareness with improved memory management
• Instance Types: New R8g, X8g, C8g, M8g, I8g instances with better NUMA support
• Performance Gains: 30-40% improvement over x86 for Cassandra workloads

Major Architecture Changes

• Single NUMA Domain: Graviton3 maintains single NUMA domain simplicity
• Dual NUMA Support: Graviton4 introduces two-socket NUMA clustering
• Memory Bandwidth: Improved memory controller performance across generations
• Core Density: Up to 192 physical cores per instance (R8g.48xlarge)
• ARM Optimization: Better Java performance on ARM architecture

AWS Cassandra 2025 and NUMA Architecture

In 2025, AWS has significantly evolved its NUMA (Non-Uniform Memory Access) support with Graviton4 processors. Understanding NUMA is crucial for optimizing Cassandra 5.0 performance on modern EC2 instances.

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Cassandra 5.0 AWS CPU Requirements: Graviton4, ZGC, and Performance Optimization

What’s New in 2025

Key Updates and Changes

• Cassandra 5.0: Enhanced CPU utilization with improved compaction and streaming
• Graviton4 Processors: 40% better performance for database workloads
• ZGC Integration: Low-latency garbage collection for improved response times
• Instance Types: New I8g, R8g, C8g families optimized for Cassandra workloads
• Compaction Improvements: Better concurrent compactor defaults and tuning

Major Performance Enhancements

• Unified Compaction: Reduced CPU overhead in Cassandra 5.0
• Vector Search: CPU-intensive operations requiring additional cores
• Streaming Performance: Improved parallel processing for data migration
• Memory Management: Better allocation strategies reducing CPU pressure
• ARM Optimization: Native ARM64 support for Graviton processors

Cassandra 5.0 CPU Requirements in AWS Cloud

Cassandra 5.0 is highly concurrent and can utilize as many CPU cores as available when configured correctly. Understanding CPU requirements is crucial for optimal performance on AWS EC2 instances.

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Cassandra 5.0 Cluster Setup 2025: Docker, Vagrant, and Cloud-Native DevOps

What’s New in 2025

Key Updates and Changes

• Cassandra 5.0: Vector search, SAI indexes, unified compaction strategy
• Container-First: Docker and Kubernetes have replaced most Vagrant workflows
• Cloud-Native: Multi-cloud deployment with infrastructure as code
• ARM Support: Native ARM64 support for Apple Silicon and AWS Graviton
• Observability: Enhanced monitoring with OpenTelemetry and Prometheus

Major Platform Evolution

• Docker Compose: Simplified multi-container orchestration
• Kubernetes: Production-ready Cassandra operators
• Testcontainers: Integration testing with ephemeral containers
• Colima/Podman: Docker alternatives for development
• GitOps: Infrastructure managed through Git workflows

The modern approach to Cassandra cluster development has evolved significantly since 2017. While Vagrant remains useful for certain scenarios, container-based development has become the standard for 2025.

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Cassandra 5.0 Cluster Tutorial 2025: Ansible Automation for DevOps Tasks

What’s New in 2025

Key Updates and Changes

• Cassandra 5.0: Storage Attached Indexes (SAI), Vector Search, Unified Compaction
• Ansible 2.19: Event-driven automation, enhanced cloud integrations
• VirtualBox Compatibility: Use 6.1.x with Vagrant 2.4.1 for stability
• Security First: Ansible Vault and external secret managers now standard
• Infrastructure as Code: Git-based workflows with Ansible Collections

Deprecated Features

• Cassandra 3.x is end-of-life
• Legacy Ansible inventory formats
• Manual SSH key management (use automation)
• Static inventories for cloud environments

Cassandra Tutorial: Setting up Ansible for our Cassandra Database Cluster for DevOps/DBA tasks

Ansible is a key DevOps/DBA tool for managing backups and rolling upgrades to the Cassandra cluster in AWS/EC2. Ansible uses ssh, so you do not have to install an agent to use it. In 2025, Ansible remains the preferred automation tool with improved event-driven capabilities.

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