Expanded Deployment Options

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 49 views

Description

CockroachDB: A Scalable Alternative to AWS Aurora

CockroachDB is a widely adopted, scalable alternative to AWS Aurora, designed for multi-cloud and private cloud environments. A comparison between the two can be found here. Given its capabilities, CockroachDB is increasingly being used by organisations that require a high-availability and scalable PostgreSQL-compatible database.

PhaseTwo's Successful CockroachDB Support for Keycloak

For several years, PhaseTwo has successfully provided CockroachDB support for Keycloak, serving multiple clients in production, including deployments managing up to 20 million users. Additionally, many community members are leveraging their open-source distribution (https://quay.io/repository/phasetwo/keycloak-crdb?tab=tags) (~1000+ pulls/day) independently, demonstrating the demand and viability of CockroachDB as a backend for Keycloak.

Keycloak's Mission-Critical Service Requirements

Keycloak is often a mission-critical service, where high availability and scalability are essential. Upstream support for CockroachDB would empower organisations seeking a resilient and scalable database option while fostering broader experimentation within the community.

Key Benefits for the Keycloak Project & Community

Scalability & High Availability

CockroachDB offers strong resilience, making it ideal for large-scale Keycloak deployments. Its ability to handle high traffic and large datasets makes it an attractive option for organisations that require a reliable and scalable database solution.

Expanded Deployment Options

CockroachDB supports organisations looking for a cloud-agnostic, distributed SQL database. This means that Keycloak users can deploy CockroachDB in a variety of environments, including on-premises, in the cloud, or in a hybrid setup.

Community-Driven Improvement

Enabling broader adoption and validation within the Keycloak ecosystem is a key benefit of experimental support for CockroachDB. This contribution aligns with the open-source ethos and provides Keycloak users with greater flexibility in database selection.

Why Consider Experimental Support for CockroachDB?

Limitations of Current Database Options

While Keycloak already accommodates options like AWS Aurora and others, it might be worthwhile for the Keycloak team to contemplate including experimental support for CockroachDB as well. This is because CockroachDB, much like other database solutions supported by Keycloak, may have its limitations.

Potential Benefits of Experimental Support

Offering CockroachDB a chance for evaluation could prove insightful. Since Keycloak already accommodates options like AWS Aurora and others, it might be worthwhile for the Keycloak team to contemplate including experimental support for CockroachDB as well. I’m hopeful that such an initiative could foster increased collaboration and understanding within the community.

Discussion

Community Feedback and Engagement

I recognse that this topic has been discussed extensively, and I sincerely appreciate the diverse perspectives on it. With that in mind, I’d like to kindly suggest considering an exploration of CockroachDB as a potential option.

Motivation

Empowering Organisations with Resilient and Scalable Database Options

Upstream support for CockroachDB would empower organisations seeking a resilient and scalable database option while fostering broader experimentation within the community.

Details

PhaseTwo's Contribution to Keycloak

PhaseTwo has offered to contribute CockroachDB support upstream, ensuring that more Keycloak users can experiment with it main distribution. If the community feedback is positive, this can pave the way for further maturity and long-term support.

Keycloak's Open-Source Ethos

This contribution aligns with the open-source ethos and provides Keycloak users with greater flexibility in database selection. By embracing experimental support for CockroachDB, Keycloak can continue to evolve and improve, meeting the needs of its users and the broader community.

Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is CockroachDB and why is it a good fit for Keycloak?

A: CockroachDB is a widely adopted, scalable alternative to AWS Aurora, designed for multi-cloud and private cloud environments. It is a PostgreSQL-compatible database that offers strong resilience, making it ideal for large-scale Keycloak deployments.

Q: What are the benefits of using CockroachDB with Keycloak?

A: The benefits of using CockroachDB with Keycloak include scalability and high availability, expanded deployment options, and community-driven improvement. CockroachDB offers strong resilience, making it ideal for large-scale Keycloak deployments. Its ability to handle high traffic and large datasets makes it an attractive option for organisations that require a reliable and scalable database solution.

Q: How does CockroachDB compare to other database options supported by Keycloak?

A: CockroachDB, much like other database solutions supported by Keycloak, may have its limitations. However, offering it a chance for evaluation could prove insightful. Since Keycloak already accommodates options like AWS Aurora and others, it might be worthwhile for the Keycloak team to contemplate including experimental support for CockroachDB as well.

Q: What is the current state of experimental support for CockroachDB in Keycloak?

A: PhaseTwo has successfully provided CockroachDB support for Keycloak, serving multiple clients in production, including deployments managing up to 20 million users. Additionally, many community members are leveraging their open-source distribution independently, demonstrating the demand and viability of CockroachDB as a backend for Keycloak.

Q: How can I get involved in the experimental support for CockroachDB in Keycloak?

A: If you are interested in getting involved in the experimental support for CockroachDB in Keycloak, you can start by exploring the open-source distribution provided by PhaseTwo. You can also engage with the community by providing feedback and suggestions on the Keycloak forums.

Q: What are the next steps for experimental support for CockroachDB in Keycloak?

A: If the community feedback is positive, this can pave the way for further maturity and long-term support. PhaseTwo has offered to contribute CockroachDB support upstream, ensuring that more Keycloak users can experiment with it main distribution.

Q: How does experimental support for CockroachDB align with the open-source ethos of Keycloak?

A: This contribution aligns with the open-source ethos and provides Keycloak users with greater flexibility in database selection. By embracing experimental support for CockroachDB, Keycloak can continue to evolve and improve, meeting the needs of its users and the broader community.

Q: What are the potential risks and challenges associated with experimental support for CockroachDB in Keycloak?

A: As with any new technology, there may be risks and challenges associated with experimental support for CockroachDB in Keycloak. However, by engaging with the community and providing feedback and suggestions, we can work together to mitigate these risks and challenges.

Q: How can I provide feedback and suggestions on experimental support for CockroachDB in Keycloak?

A: You can provide feedback and suggestions on the Keycloak forums or by engaging with the community on social media. Your input is invaluable in helping us shape the future of experimental support for CockroachDB in Keycloak.