Tag Archives: architecture

Effective database activity monitoring (Page 1 of 2)

There are a number of reasons for organisations to deploy Database Activity Monitoring or DAM solutions, which can range anywhere from compliance to cover overall security.

DAM is a data centre technology, which monitors how the data that is stored in core databases and file servers is being accessed; it works on analyzing access behaviour to detect data breaches, if any; and takes action accordingly to mitigate them.

Various rules and regulations, compliance laws, etc also are increasingly forcing organisations to tighten their control over sensitive data they store, and have a verifiable audit trail that can be signed off, if required, by the appropriate organisational executives.

Database Activity Monitoring Architecture

Different DAM vendors have different ways of tracking activities in a database and therefore implementation of architecture is also slightly different.

A DAM with single appliance or single server architecture provides 1-to-1 mapping of a database server with a monitoring appliance; thus it acts both as a sensor and a collector of appropriate data. DAM with this configuration is good for a small database; however, for larger databases it might not be enough effective. Then there is DAM with 2-tier architecture, consisting of a centralised management server; this server collects information from a set of remote sensors or collection points. With this architecture there is a better degree of system scalability.

DAM with hierarchical architecture builds further onto the 2-tier architecture; this system is best suited for larger organizations; these DAMs are capable of supporting a larger number of sensors and collectors, distributed across a large enterprise.

Advanced Database Activity Monitoring Techniques

The process through which all SQL traffic to a database is monitored is called Network monitoring. Network monitoring allows monitoring multiple databases simultaneously; all the commands that are sent across to databases under scrutiny, are kept track of. The activities of users that are logged directly into the server via a local console are not recorded. Performance of a database is not affected by network monitoring, as no overhead is placed over the database directly.

In remote monitoring, a SQL collector is placed on the database with administrative privileges; the native database auditing is also enabled. The collector aggregates all activity collected by the auditing tools. This type of monitoring imposes an overhead on the database as logging is enabled on the database server, causing it to work more. The advantage of remote monitoring is that all database activities are collected, including that of a user who is logged directly into the server.

One can install local agents on each database that is being monitored, but it is not necessary that they would be successful in detecting all database activity; it would depend on how these agents have been configured, and how much closer to the database they are allowed to sit.

Effective database activity monitoring (Page 1 of 2)

There are a number of reasons for organisations to deploy Database Activity Monitoring or DAM solutions, which can range anywhere from compliance to cover overall security.

DAM is a data centre technology, which monitors how the data that is stored in core databases and file servers is being accessed; it works on analyzing access behaviour to detect data breaches, if any; and takes action accordingly to mitigate them.

Various rules and regulations, compliance laws, etc also are increasingly forcing organisations to tighten their control over sensitive data they store, and have a verifiable audit trail that can be signed off, if required, by the appropriate organisational executives.

Database Activity Monitoring Architecture

Different DAM vendors have different ways of tracking activities in a database and therefore implementation of architecture is also slightly different.

A DAM with single appliance or single server architecture provides 1-to-1 mapping of a database server with a monitoring appliance; thus it acts both as a sensor and a collector of appropriate data. DAM with this configuration is good for a small database; however, for larger databases it might not be enough effective. Then there is DAM with 2-tier architecture, consisting of a centralised management server; this server collects information from a set of remote sensors or collection points. With this architecture there is a better degree of system scalability.

DAM with hierarchical architecture builds further onto the 2-tier architecture; this system is best suited for larger organizations; these DAMs are capable of supporting a larger number of sensors and collectors, distributed across a large enterprise.

Advanced Database Activity Monitoring Techniques

The process through which all SQL traffic to a database is monitored is called Network monitoring. Network monitoring allows monitoring multiple databases simultaneously; all the commands that are sent across to databases under scrutiny, are kept track of. The activities of users that are logged directly into the server via a local console are not recorded. Performance of a database is not affected by network monitoring, as no overhead is placed over the database directly.

In remote monitoring, a SQL collector is placed on the database with administrative privileges; the native database auditing is also enabled. The collector aggregates all activity collected by the auditing tools. This type of monitoring imposes an overhead on the database as logging is enabled on the database server, causing it to work more. The advantage of remote monitoring is that all database activities are collected, including that of a user who is logged directly into the server.

One can install local agents on each database that is being monitored, but it is not necessary that they would be successful in detecting all database activity; it would depend on how these agents have been configured, and how much closer to the database they are allowed to sit.

10 Reasons to Use Revit for Retail Design

Why should Revit be used for Retail Design?

• Because it allows visualization of the model
• Because it allows drawings to be created from the model
• Because it allows quantity take offs, schedule creation, simple renders, export of model for more complex renders

How does Revit Benefit Retail Design?

• A retail design created using Revit can be easily modified right through the pre-construction and design stages of the project
• Revit is a more sophisticated tool compared to conventional drawings and design software
• Revit, if set up properly, calculates the required materials and components parts, based on the design, into schedules

Retail design is a specialized discipline based on notions that are central to merchandising, marketing, ergonomics, advertising and interior design. The store design is specifically created to build a shopping experience that is as positive as possible for both the retailer and consumer. Whilst some aspects of retail design are practical and are concerned with the way that merchandise is stocked. Other features are much more obscure and have more to do with creating a specific experience for a consumer as he strolls through the interior space of the store. There are also certain aspects of retail design that are concerned with guiding shoppers through the store.

Revit is a very important tool used for retail design. Autodesk Revit Architecture is a program precisely designed for Building Information Modelling (BIM). With the help of Revit Architecture, one can capture and analyse design concepts and precisely maintain coordinated design data through documentation as well as construction. Today, retail experience is all about a perfect design and presentation of a retail space and it’s also an ultimate representation of the retailer’s brand. Building Information Modelling plays a vital role in retail projects as it assists designers enhance the precision of design data created during different stages of planning and construction. Autodesk’s Revit architecture lays a platform for retailers and designers to create BIM retail design in a collective environment; however, there are several other significant benefits summarised below.

10 Reasons to Use Revit for Retail Design

1. It is a 3D design tool. The days of traditional drawings and design software are over as Revit is a more intelligent tool that provides 3D capabilities and views throughout its application.
2. It uses parametric 3D models created using Revit 3D BIM modelling rather than poly lines to help get a more precise design with actual objects as opposed to simple poly lines.
3. One of the more striking features of Revit is that if set properly, it calculates the required materials and component parts, based on the design, into schedules. This helps in avoiding manual checking and thus helps in preventing human errors.
4. Revit also lets visualization of the model along with allowing drawings to be created from the model so that accuracy from models to drawings and images is maintained.
5. Despite not being a standalone rendering tool, Revit does have exceptional rendering tools and abilities that allow designers to use Revit views directly from the model as opposed to a separate rendered solution using a special package such as 3DS Max.
6. Building up Revit BIM models using Revit BIM tools helps project managers to track the exact progress of the process through integration with time liner tools for all stages of the construction phase
7. Revit architecture also allows re-use of the same equipment in different stores, e.g. store furniture or store lighting or store graphics etc.
8. A retail design created in Revit can be easily modified right through the construction and design stages of the project
9. The tool lets users make changes to a specific area, such as section or a plan. This change will then update all other areas of the Revit Model such as an elevation or a schedule due to Revit’s database structure
10.Implementing Revit for retail design also make others aware about the project changes through easier online collaboration tools that enable work sharing of the same file during design.

Revit architecture for BIM modelling therefore has several benefits while creating retail construction drawings and is why leading retailers globally are increasingly using this tool for retail design. It helps them to manage the design process more efficiently, creating clash free drawings, extract precise procurement data and use 3D views in their design data. This together help the retailers lessen costs and create more certainty in defining timescale for store openings.