LiteSpeed Memcached a cache with many advantages

LiteSpeed Memcached (LSMCD) is a high-performance, distributed caching system that uses file-backed shared memory. While generic in nature, it was originally developed to speed up dynamic web applications by reducing the load on databases. It is designed to be a complete replacement for Memcached. However, LSMCD has several key features that Memcached lacks: high-availability, data persistence, and the option to separate data by user.

Advantages over standard Redis and Memcached

1. High-Availability This means that even if one or more of your servers fail, you can still seamlessly access and update data as if the servers were operational. This helps ensure uninterrupted service, which is a major advantage over standard Memcached and Redis, which can struggle to maintain availability without complex configurations.
2. Data Persistence There’s no need for a backend database. The data you put into LSMCD will remain there unless you actively remove it. This is a significant difference from Memcached, where data is stored in RAM and will be lost if the server reboots. Although Redis has the ability to store persistent data, LSMCD integrates this feature simply, making the system more stable without depending on a secondary database.
3. Separate Data by User LSMCD allows each user to have their own separate data space within the shared repository. This not only enhances data security but also allows you to charge users for access to their data. This is a unique feature that makes LSMCD more flexible for multi-user business models and applications.

Other Benefits

LSMCD allows you to take memory from parts of your system that have more than they need and provide it to areas that have less. With LSMCD, your servers will act like multiple virtual “pools” of memory that can be fine-tuned to improve the hit/miss ratio (the rate at which a query finds data in the cache).

As an application grows and requires more servers, the demand for data also increases. LSMCD allows you to scale both of these factors simultaneously, ensuring the system remains efficient. This characteristic does not change as the number of servers increases.

Of course, you are not required to use your web server’s memory for caching. Many LSMCD users have built dedicated machines to run exclusively as LSMCD servers, which provides maximum flexibility in system deployment and management.