MaxDB is a relational database system with which you can create, use and manage MySQL MaxDB and SAP liveCache database instances (databases).
Data in a database instance is divided into application data (data records) and the database catalog (metadata). Data is permanently stored in volumes. During operation, parts of the data are located in different caches in main memory.
Several database tools are available for working with database instances. You need the X Server to communicate with database instances on remote computers (see also Architecture of the Database Tools). You can connect applications to database instances using interfaces.
Overview of the database system
A database instance can be in different operational states (such as ONLINE, ADMIN, OFFLINE). If you want to transfer a database instance to operational state ADMIN or ONLINE using a database tool, then the kernel of the database system is started as a service.
The kernel creates threads for all tasks that should be executed in parallel. This includes the connection setup, processing SQL queries, I/O handling and monitoring the database instance. See Threads and Tasks of a Database Instance.