Exploring Azure Cosmos DB with MongoDB API: The Best of Both Worlds

In today’s data-driven world, businesses need scalable, high-performance databases that can adapt to their needs. Azure Cosmos DB, Microsoft’s globally distributed, multi-model database, meets these demands with unparalleled performance and flexibility. And with the MongoDB API, it goes a step further by enabling developers to harness the power of Cosmos DB while using familiar MongoDB tools, libraries, and queries.

This blog dives into what Azure Cosmos DB with MongoDB API is, how it works, and why it’s an excellent choice for developers and businesses.

Introduction to Azure Cosmos DB with MongoDB API?

Azure Cosmos DB with MongoDB API is a feature that allows developers to interact with Cosmos DB using the MongoDB protocol. Essentially, Cosmos DB acts as a managed backend for MongoDB workloads, enabling you to use MongoDB drivers, tools, and query syntax while benefiting from Cosmos DB’s global distribution, elastic scalability, and enterprise-grade features.

With the MongoDB API, you can seamlessly migrate existing MongoDB workloads to Azure Cosmos DB without rewriting your application code. This makes it ideal for organizations looking to modernize their database infrastructure with minimal disruption.

Key Features and Benefits

1. Familiar MongoDB Ecosystem
Developers can use the same MongoDB drivers, libraries, and tools they’re already accustomed to, such as mongoimport, mongoexport, and MongoDB Compass. This reduces the learning curve and allows for quick adoption.

2. Global Distribution
Cosmos DB automatically replicates your data across multiple regions, ensuring low latency reads and writes for globally distributed applications. With MongoDB API, you can leverage this feature while using MongoDB’s familiar syntax.

3. Elastic Scalability
Azure Cosmos DB offers elastic and automatic scalability, both horizontally (across regions) and vertically (within a region). The MongoDB API inherits this capability, ensuring your application can handle spikes in traffic with ease.

4. Comprehensive SLAs
Azure Cosmos DB guarantees high availability, low latency, and consistent throughput with industry-leading SLAs. This reliability ensures your MongoDB-based workloads perform optimally.

5. Rich Query Support
With the MongoDB API, you can execute advanced queries, including aggregation pipelines, on your Cosmos DB data. This enables powerful data analysis and reporting capabilities.

6. Serverless and Provisioned Throughput
Choose between serverless (pay-as-you-go) or provisioned throughput modes to optimize cost and performance based on your application’s requirements.

7. Advanced Security
Cosmos DB ensures your data is secure with features like private endpoints, VNET integration, encryption-at-rest, and role-based access control (RBAC). The MongoDB API benefits from the same enterprise-grade security features.

Use Cases for Azure Cosmos DB with MongoDB API

1. Global Applications

Applications with users spread across different regions benefit from Cosmos DB’s multi-region distribution. For example, an e-commerce platform serving customers worldwide can deliver low-latency experiences regardless of location.

2. Modernizing MongoDB Workloads

Organizations looking to modernize their MongoDB workloads can migrate to Cosmos DB without rewriting code. This allows them to leverage advanced Azure features like autoscaling, high availability, and global replication.

3. IoT and Real-Time Analytics

With its support for high-throughput and low-latency operations, Cosmos DB with MongoDB API is ideal for IoT applications and real-time analytics use cases.

4. Hybrid Cloud and Backup

Use Azure Cosmos DB with MongoDB API as a hybrid cloud solution or as a backup option for your on-premises MongoDB workloads. Its seamless integration simplifies data replication and disaster recovery.

Getting Started with Azure Cosmos DB and MongoDB API

Here’s how you can begin using Azure Cosmos DB with MongoDB API:

1. Create a Cosmos DB Account with MongoDB API

• Navigate to the Azure Portal.
• Click Create a Resource > Databases > Azure Cosmos DB for MongoDB API.
• Configure your account settings, including the database name, region, and throughput.

2. Connect Your Application

• Use your existing MongoDB drivers and tools to connect to Cosmos DB. Update your connection string to point to the Cosmos DB MongoDB endpoint.
• Example connection string:
• const { MongoClient } = require(“mongodb”);
• const uri = “mongodb://<your-cosmosdb-uri>:<port>/?ssl=true&replicaSet=globaldb&retrywrites=false”;
• const client = new MongoClient(uri);

3. Migrate Your Data

• Use tools like mongodump and mongorestore to migrate data from an existing MongoDB database to Cosmos DB. For example:
• mongodump –uri mongodb://<source-uri>
• mongorestore –uri mongodb://<cosmosdb-uri>

4. Test and Optimize

• Test your application to ensure everything works as expected. Utilize Cosmos DB’s insights and metrics for performance monitoring and optimization.

Pricing Considerations

Azure Cosmos DB pricing depends on throughput, storage, and features like geo-replication. The MongoDB API is fully integrated into Cosmos DB’s pricing model. You can choose between:

• Provisioned Throughput: Best for predictable workloads.
• Serverless: Best for infrequent or unpredictable workloads.

Use the Azure Pricing Calculator to estimate your costs.

Create Your vCore-based Azure Cosmos DB for MongoDB Account

Let’s dive in and see how easy it is to create your vCore-based Azure Cosmos DB for MongoDB account using the Azure portal. Follow these steps to get started:

1. Sign in to the Azure portal.
2. In the left-hand menu, select on the Create a resource

3. In the Create a resource window, search for Azure Cosmos DB.

4. In the Marketplace window, select Azure Cosmos DB and select the Create

5. In the Azure Cosmos DB window, select the Create

6. In the Create Azure Cosmos DB Account window, select Azure Cosmos DB for MongoDB, and select the Create

7. In the Create Azure Cosmos DB Account – Choose Architecture window, select vCore cluster (Recommended) and select the Create

8. In the Create Azure Cosmos DB for MongoDB cluster window, fill in the details (leave other’s blank):

Basics tab:

Networking tab:

In the Review + create tab, review your account settings, and then select the Create button.

It takes 5+ minutes for the vCore-based Azure Cosmos DB for MongoDB account to be created. After resource deployment click on the GO TO Resource

 In the Ǫuick start window, select Mongo Shell.

Enter the password for the admin user you created when you created the vCore-based Azure Cosmos DB for MongoDB account in the Mongo Shell window.

After entering the password

Note: You can copy the connection string and the credential

To test the connection, let’s run some MongoDB commands.

Conclusion

Azure Cosmos DB with MongoDB API combines the power of Cosmos DB’s globally distributed architecture with the ease and familiarity of MongoDB. It’s a perfect solution for developers and organizations seeking to modernize their workloads, build globally available applications, or simplify database management.

Whether you’re migrating an existing MongoDB workload or starting a new project, Azure Cosmos DB with MongoDB API offers the flexibility, scalability, and performance you need. Start exploring today and unlock the potential of your applications in the cloud.

About CloudThat

CloudThat is a leading provider of Cloud Training and Consulting services with a global presence in India, the USA, Asia, Europe, and Africa. Specializing in AWS, Microsoft Azure, GCP, VMware, Databricks, and more, the company serves mid-market and enterprise clients, offering comprehensive expertise in Cloud Migration, Data Platforms, DevOps, IoT, AI/ML, and more.

CloudThat is the first Indian Company to win the prestigious Microsoft Partner 2024 Award and is recognized as a top-tier partner with AWS and Microsoft, including the prestigious ‘Think Big’ partner award from AWS and the Microsoft Superstars FY 2023 award in Asia & India. Having trained 650k+ professionals in 500+ cloud certifications and completed 300+ consulting projects globally, CloudThat is an official AWS Advanced Consulting Partner, Microsoft Gold Partner, AWS Training Partner, AWS Migration Partner, AWS Data and Analytics Partner, AWS DevOps Competency Partner, AWS GenAI Competency Partner, Amazon QuickSight Service Delivery Partner, Amazon EKS Service Delivery Partner,  AWS Microsoft Workload Partners, Amazon EC2 Service Delivery Partner, Amazon ECS Service Delivery Partner, AWS Glue Service Delivery Partner, Amazon Redshift Service Delivery Partner, AWS Control Tower Service Delivery Partner, AWS WAF Service Delivery Partner, Amazon CloudFront, Amazon OpenSearch, AWS DMS and many more.