ALGEBRAIX Functional Components

To understand the uniqueness and extensibility of ALGEBRAIX technology, it’s helpful to understand the functions of some of its principal architectural components.

XSN (extended set notation) Translator converts the incoming query and data from whatever dialect the sending application uses – SQL, MDX, XQuery, etc. – into its algebraic equivalent.

Universe Manager maintains the Universal Data Model.

Resource Manager maintains knowledge of the physical processing environment characteristics (CPU, cores, memory, and disk) and manages their use by the Optimizer and Set Processor.

Local and Global Optimizers use algebra and costing models to choose the quickest way to process the XSN statements per the Universe Manager, physical details such as whether data is local or remote and how it’s organized per the Storage Manager, and, most importantly, algebraic equivalences.

Set Processor performs extended set processing using the XSN statement as received from the optimizer and creates derived sets as needed to optimize future processing.

Storage Manager stores and retrieves sets in a physical form appropriate for the needs of the Set Processor.

As a result of this elegant design based on rigorous mathematics, a long-sought-after capability becomes possible – federated query across heterogeneous global computing networks.  In such a scenario, disparate data sources across geographically dispersed and dissimilar computers can be tapped to answer a query in an efficient manner.

To enable this, each ALGEBRAIX technology node can receive inbound queries and each is able to delegate some or all processing for a query if it can’t answer it locally.  If it delegates all of a query (as subqueries to one or more nodes), it also delegates its duties (combining the final answer set) to the most capable node.

Read about the fundamental concepts behind ALGEBRAIX technology.

For more information on ALEGEBRAIX technology and architecture, visit our Resource Library.