MongoDb Comming to iBmi : Podcast At Common PowerUP

Introduction:

At the Common Conference in Fort Worth, we sat down with Jack Woehr, an IBM i Champion, to discuss one of his favorite topics—MongoDB. While MongoDB has been promised for the IBM i for a while, we’re still waiting for a real implementation. In this conversation, Jack shares his insights on MongoDB’s role in multi-tier web applications, its potential integration with IBM systems, and the open-source community.

The Role of MongoDB in Enterprise Systems:

Jack begins by describing MongoDB as a document-driven database, explaining how its flexibility makes it ideal for certain enterprise use cases, particularly as a scratchpad or configuration database. In multi-tier web applications, MongoDB works well for handling non-tabular data and storing JSON documents. Jack emphasizes its role in modernizing enterprise applications by supporting configurations that handle API-driven workloads, especially in conjunction with IBM i systems.

IBM i and Multi-tier Web Applications:

During the conversation, Jack delves into the complexities of multi-tier web applications. He explains how different layers, such as transaction systems and middleware, work together in large-scale enterprise environments. He believes that IBM i should embrace more open-source tooling and modern architectures to stay relevant. Jack will further expand on this vision in his upcoming session on IBM i web application patterns

Why MongoDB on IBM i is Still Pending:

When asked about the future of MongoDB on IBM i, Jack highlights both technical and legal challenges. While MongoDB runs efficiently on Power Linux, its server-side licensing may present hurdles for IBM i integration. Jack’s ideal scenario involves using MongoDB on a Power Linux partition alongside IBM i, allowing each platform to perform its strengths — IBM i excelling at database management and MongoDB managing configuration and scratchpad data.

Open Source Advocacy and Community Engagement:

Jack shares his involvement as a “creator” in MongoDB’s open-source community. He has contributed tools that help users transition from traditional databases like MySQL to MongoDB. He praises MongoDB’s organized community, strong documentation, and active forums, which have been key to its success. Jack emphasizes the importance of open-source software in creating flexible and scalable enterprise solutions.

The Benefits of Power Linux for MongoDB:

For developers and organizations looking to experiment with MongoDB, Jack advocates for Power Linux. Running MongoDB on a Power10 server alongside IBM i provides flexibility and reduces overhead, particularly in large enterprise environments. Jack even offers to demonstrate MongoDB on Power Linux, showcasing the practical implementation of these solutions.

Cloud Offerings and MongoDB Atlas:

Jack also introduces MongoDB’s cloud service, Atlas. He notes that Atlas offers an affordable way for developers to experiment with MongoDB, with many features available for free on small-scale projects. Atlas even rolls out new features, like vector search, ahead of their release in the Enterprise and Community Editions, making it an appealing option for developers.

Conclusion:

Jack Ward’s insights into MongoDB, IBM i, and the future of multi-tier web applications highlight the importance of flexibility and open-source tooling in enterprise environments. By leveraging tools like MongoDB on Power Linux alongside IBM i, organizations can modernize their IT infrastructure while maintaining the robustness that IBM systems provide.

Inspired by Jack’s vision for the future of MongoDB and IBM i? Explore MongoDB Atlas or dive into open-source tooling for IBM i. Let’s keep the conversation going about how we can modernize enterprise systems and build more flexible, scalable solutions for the future.