Example of database provisioning in the cloud – healthcare patient management
Let’s explore another use case of setting up a cloud database, specifically using GCP, for a healthcare patient management system. Here’s a step-by-step methodology for provisioning the database:
- Sign in to GCP console: Log in to your Google Cloud account and access the Google Cloud console.
- Choose Cloud SQL: Navigate to the Cloud SQL service, which offers managed databases. Click on Create instance.
- Select database engine: Choose the preferred database engine (e.g., MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server) that suits your application’s requirements.
- Configure instance details: Specify instance ID, password, and instance type (CPU and memory). Choose the database version and storage capacity.
- Choose connectivity settings: Configure network connectivity options such as private or public IP addresses, and choose whether to enable SSL encryption for data in transit.
- Configure access control: Set up authorized networks to control which IP addresses can connect to the database instance. You can also choose to use IAM for access control.
- Choose high availability: Opt for high availability by enabling failover replicas in a different zone for automatic failover in case of an outage.
- Backup and maintenance: Configure automated backups and specify the retention period. Schedule maintenance windows for updates and patches.
- Additional configuration: Depending on the chosen database engine, configure additional settings such as custom flags, user-defined parameters, and instance tiers.
- Review and create: Review your configuration settings to ensure accuracy. Once validated, click Create to initiate the database provisioning process.
- Database provisioning: Google Cloud will create the database instance, allocate resources, configure network settings, and apply the chosen configurations.
- Database access and integration: Once provisioned, you’ll receive connection details such as instance IP and credentials. Use these details to integrate your healthcare application with the database.
- Data migration and population: Import or create the necessary tables and schema to store patient information securely in the database.
- Application testing: Thoroughly test your healthcare application’s functionality and data integration with the newly provisioned cloud database.
Benefits:
- Managed service: Google Cloud SQL offers automated management, backups, and scaling, reducing administrative overhead
- Security: Google Cloud provides encryption at rest and in transit, ensuring data security and compliance
- Scalability: Cloud SQL allows you to easily scale resources vertically by adjusting instance types
- High availability: Failover replicas and regional availability enhance application reliability
- Pay as you go: Google Cloud’s pricing model aligns costs with usage, providing cost efficiency
By following this methodology, a healthcare organization can set up a robust, secure, and highly available cloud database on GCP, effectively managing patient data while adhering to compliance requirements.