Question

Can you scale up a database from a smaller size to a bigger one easily using managed databases?

I’m working on a hobby project and right now I want to use the smallest available database size because I don’t know if the project will go anywhere.

My question is about whether down the line, if the project does end up getting a lot of users, will I be able to scale up the database and just call it a day or will I need to do additional work to scale up?

I’m confused about what happens to the data in the existing database when you “scale up”.


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Bobby Iliev
Site Moderator
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November 6, 2019
Accepted Answer

Hello,

Yes, you can just start with the smallest available database size and upgrade whenever you need to. Basically what happens when you scale up is that extra resources like RAM, CPU and etc are added to your database server, your data stays intact.

To upgrade your Database instance just follow these steps:

  • Login to your DigitalOcean control panel

  • Then click Manage > Databases

  • Choose your Database instance, after that click on Settings

  • Under the Cluster configuration section hit the Edit button and choose the new node plan

Hope that this helps! Regards, Bobby

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