iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Netflix’s move from Oracle to Apache Cassandra was a response to a growing streaming service outgrowing a single-datacenter database design. The company shifted data to Amazon Web Services (AWS), first using Amazon SimpleDB during the transition and then Cassandra, whose distributed clusters could scale across the cloud and limit the scope of individual failures. The trade-off was less planned downtime for schema changes but more systems to operate.
Why Netflix moved beyond Oracle
Netflix launched streaming in 2007 with Oracle as its backend. At the time, its database architecture centered on a single data center. That created a large failure domain: an outage affecting the site could take a central database service with it, and the design made it harder to add capacity as usage grew.
Usage expanded across phones, Nintendo Wii devices, Roku boxes and other clients, increasing the traffic and capacity the service needed to handle. An InfoWorld report published in 2013 said Netflix API requests in January 2011 were 37 times the January 2010 level. That figure is a historical comparison, not a measure of present-day traffic.
Netflix began moving data to AWS in 2010. It used Amazon SimpleDB during the transition, then adopted Apache Cassandra. Rather than depend on one large database installation, the company could run multiple clusters and distribute work across them.
#1 Best Overall
- HD streaming made simple: With America’s number 1 TV streaming platform,* exploring popular apps—plus tons of free movies, shows, and live TV—is as easy as it is fun. *Based on hours streamed—Hypothesis Group
- Compact without compromises: The sleek design of Roku Streaming Stick won’t block neighboring HDMI ports, and it even powers from your TV alone, plugging into the back and staying out of sight. No wall outlet, no extra cords, no clutter.
- No more juggling remotes: Power up your TV, adjust the volume, and control your Roku device with one remote. Use your voice to quickly search, play entertainment, and more.
- Shows on the go: Take your TV to-go when traveling—without needing to log into someone else’s device.
- TV, simplified: With setup that only takes minutes, a simple-to-navigate Home Screen, and an uncluttered remote control that does all you need—Roku makes it easier to watch the TV you love.
How the Oracle and Cassandra designs differed
| Consideration | Oracle design described in the 2013 report | Cassandra design described in the 2013 report |
|---|---|---|
| Failure domain | A single data center concentrated risk in one location. | Work was distributed across clusters; failures could affect smaller portions independently rather than one monolithic database. |
| Scaling | The report describes the single-datacenter design as constraining growth. | Clusters could be added and managed in the cloud to increase capacity horizontally. |
| Schema changes | Schema changes reportedly caused at least 10 minutes of downtime every two weeks. | The report says Cassandra’s schema model removed this planned downtime. Adrian Cockcroft, then a Netflix cloud architect, said: “There are no schemas to change in Cassandra — therefore, there’s no downtime.” |
| Capacity planning | The report does not specify a separate Oracle capacity-planning process. | Operators could create clusters as needs changed; Cockcroft said he could create a Cassandra cluster in any world region in 10 minutes. |
| Operational complexity | A central database meant fewer separate stores to manage, but concentrated service risk. | Netflix managed a larger fleet of comparatively simpler stores, increasing the number of systems operators had to manage. |
| Consistency and availability | The report does not state specific Oracle tuning settings. | Cassandra was selected in part for tunable availability and consistency, allowing configuration choices alongside scalability needs. The report does not specify the settings Netflix used. |
How Netflix used Cassandra in the cloud
Cassandra let Netflix create clusters in AWS and distribute data-serving work rather than rely on a single database instance in one data center. The 2013 InfoWorld account described more than 50 Cassandra clusters and over 750 nodes. Across those clusters, it reported peak throughput above 50,000 reads and 100,000 writes per second, with average daily activity of more than 2.1 billion reads and 4.3 billion writes.
Those are aggregate figures reported for Netflix’s deployment at that time. They do not describe a single cluster’s capacity, and they should not be read as current Netflix operating numbers.
Rank #2
- Advanced 4K streaming - Elevate your entertainment with the next generation of our best-selling 4K stick, with improved streaming performance optimized for 4K TVs.
- The newest Fire TV experience (2026) – Our biggest update to Fire TV has a new, modern design that gets you to your entertainment fast. Browse dedicated content categories, pin more of your favorite apps, and get personalized recommendations from Alexa+. Spend less time scrolling, and more time watching.
- Cloud gaming, no console required – Stream Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, Hogwarts Legacy, Outer Worlds 2, Ninja Gaiden 4, and hundreds of games on your Fire TV Stick 4K Select with Xbox Game Pass and Luna via cloud gaming. Xbox Game Pass subscription and compatible controller required. Each sold separately.
- Smarter picks with Alexa+ – Getting to what you love has never been easier. Press the voice remote button and talk naturally to find what to watch across your apps, manage your smart home, or dive into virtually any topic.
- Wi-Fi 6 support - Enjoy smooth 4K streaming, even when other devices are connected to your router.
What Netflix stored in Cassandra
The same 2013 article said 95 percent of Netflix data was stored in Cassandra. Its examples included customer accounts, ratings, metadata, viewing bookmarks and logs. This historical share illustrates how extensively Cassandra was used in that reported architecture; it does not establish Netflix’s present database choices or data distribution.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →The cost of removing a single point of failure
Replacing the central database model reduced the extent to which one database failure could disrupt the service, and it ended the planned interruptions associated with Oracle schema changes. But the failure risk did not disappear: it was divided among many systems, each of which had to be monitored, maintained and kept available.
Rank #3
- 4K streaming made simple:With America’s number 1 TV streaming platform,* exploring popular apps—plus tons of free movies, shows, and live TV—is as easy as it is fun. *Based on hours streamed—Hypothesis Group
- 4K picture quality: With Roku Streaming Stick Plus, watch your favorites with brilliant 4K picture and vivid HDR color.
- Compact without compromises: Our sleek design won’t block neighboring HDMI ports, and it even powers from your TV alone, plugging into the back and staying out of sight. No wall outlet, no extra cords, no clutter.
- No more juggling remotes: Power up your TV, adjust the volume, and control your Roku device with one remote. Use your voice to quickly search, play entertainment, and more.
- Shows on the go: Take your TV to-go when traveling—without needing to log into someone else’s device.
That is the central lesson of the migration. Cloud distribution and horizontal scaling can make growth and resilience easier, but they shift work toward operating a fleet of clusters. Cassandra’s tunable consistency and availability offered flexibility, not a free guarantee of every desired behavior; operators still had to choose configurations suited to each workload.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the case study does—and does not—show
Netflix’s move from Oracle through SimpleDB to Cassandra is a historical example of redesigning data infrastructure as a service grows. The 2013 report documents the scale and benefits claimed for that period, including lower schema-change downtime and a broader distributed footprint. It does not establish which databases Netflix uses today, so its cluster counts, throughput and data share should be treated as dated case-study figures rather than current specifications.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Stunning 4K and Dolby Vision streaming made simple: With America’s number 1 TV streaming platform,* exploring popular apps—plus tons of free movies, shows, and live TV—is as easy as it is fun. *Based on hours streamed—Hypothesis Group
- Breathtaking picture quality: Stunningly sharp 4K picture brings out rich detail in your entertainment with four times the resolution of HD. Watch as colors pop off your screen and enjoy lifelike clarity with Dolby Vision and HDR10+.
- Seamless streaming for any room: With Roku Streaming Stick 4K, watch your favorite entertainment on any TV in the house, even in rooms farther from your router thanks to the long-range Wi-Fi receiver.
- Shows on the go: Take your TV to-go when traveling—without needing to log into someone else’s device.
- Compact without compromises: Our sleek design won’t block neighboring HDMI ports, so you can switch from streaming to gaming with ease. Plus, it’s designed to stay hidden behind your TV, keeping wires neatly out of sight
Rank #4
- The Google TV Streamer (4K) delivers your favorite entertainment quickly, easily, and personalized to you[1,2]
- HDMI 2.1 cable required (sold separately)
- See movies and TV shows from all your services right from your home screen[2]; and find new things to watch with tailored recommendations for everyone in your home based on their interests and viewing habits
- Watch live TV and access over 800 free channels from Pluto TV, Tubi, and more[3]; if you find an interesting show or movie on your TV, mobile app, or Google search, you can easily add it to your watchlist, so it’s ready when you are[2]
- Up to 4K HDR with Dolby Vision delivers captivating, true-to-life detail[4]; and you can connect speakers that support Dolby Atmos for more immersive 3D sound
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
