Skálázódás

Skálázódás, often translated as scaling, is a fundamental concept in computing and distributed systems that refers to the ability of a system to handle a growing amount of work by adding resources. There are two primary types of scaling: vertical scaling and horizontal scaling.

Vertical scaling, also known as scaling up, involves increasing the capacity of a single existing node. This can be achieved by adding more CPU, RAM, or storage to a server. While effective for moderate increases in load, vertical scaling has physical limitations and can be expensive. Eventually, a single machine can only be upgraded so much.

Horizontal scaling, also known as scaling out, involves adding more nodes to a system to distribute the workload. This is commonly seen in distributed databases, web servers, and cloud computing environments. By adding more machines, the system can handle significantly larger loads and offers greater fault tolerance, as the failure of one node does not bring down the entire system.

The choice between vertical and horizontal scaling depends on the specific application, its expected growth, and budget constraints. Many modern systems employ a hybrid approach, combining both vertical and horizontal scaling to achieve optimal performance and cost-efficiency. Effective skálázódás is crucial for ensuring that applications remain responsive and available as user demand increases.