Different On-Line Analytical

Processing (OLAP)
Architectures

Dr. Atul Garg

 Index
• Different OLAP Architectures
• MOLAP
• ROLAP
• HOLAP
Different OLAP Architectures
 Multidimensional OLAP (MOLAP)

Multidimensional OLAP (MOLAP) is a classical OLAP that facilitates data analysis by

using a multidimensional data cube. Data is pre-computed, re-summarized, and stored in a
MOLAP. Using a MOLAP, a user can use multidimensional view data with different facets.
Multidimensional data analysis is also possible if a relational database is used. On the
contrary, MOLAP has all possible combinations of data already stored in a multidimensional
array. MOLAP can access this data directly.
 MOLAP Architecture

MOLAP Architecture includes the following components:

Database Server
MOLAP Server
1. The user request reports through the interface
Front-end tool
2. The application logic layer of the (Multi-
dimensional Database (MDDB) retrieves the
stored data from Database
3. The application logic layer forwards the result
to the client/user.
MOLAP architecture mainly reads the
precompiled data. MOLAP architecture has
limited capabilities to dynamically create
MOLAP Architecture aggregations or to calculate results that have not
been pre-calculated and stored.
 MOLAP Advantages

1. MOLAP can manage, analyze and store considerable amounts of

multidimensional data.
2. Fast Query Performance due to optimized storage, indexing, and caching.
3. Smaller sizes of data as compared to the relational database.
4. Automated computation of higher level of aggregates data.
5. Help users to analyze larger, less-defined data.
6. MOLAP is easier to the user that’s why It is a suitable model for
inexperienced users.
7. MOLAP cubes are built for fast data retrieval and are optimal for slicing
and dicing operations.
8. All calculations are pre-generated when the cube is created.
 Disadvantages of MOLAP

1. One major weakness of MOLAP is that it is less scalable than ROLAP as it

handles only a limited amount of data.
2. The MOLAP also introduces data redundancy as it is resource intensive
3. MOLAP Solutions may be lengthy, particularly on large data volumes.
4. MOLAP products may face issues while updating and querying models
when dimensions are more than ten.
5. MOLAP is not capable of containing detailed data.
6. The storage utilization can be low if the data set is highly scattered.
7. It can handle the only limited amount of data therefore, it’s impossible to
include a large amount of data in the cube itself.
 Relational OLAP (ROLAP)

ROLAP is an extended RDBMS along with multidimensional data mapping to

perform the standard relational operation.
In ROLAP, data is stored in relational database. In essence, each action of
slicing and dicing is equivalent to adding a “WHERE” clause in the SQL
statement.

Data stored in relational database (ROLAP)

 ROLAP Model
There are three main components in a ROLAP model:
1.Database server: This exists in the data layer. This consists of data that is loaded into the
ROLAP server.
2.ROLAP server: This consists of the ROLAP engine that exists in the application layer.
3.Front-end tool: This is the client desktop that exists in the presentation layer.

Working of ROLAP:
When a user makes a query (complex), the
ROLAP server will fetch data from the RDBMS
server. The ROLAP engine will then create data
cubes dynamically. The user will view data from a
multi-dimensional point.

Unlike in MOLAP, where the multi-dimensional

view is static, ROLAP provides a dynamic multi-
dimensional view. This explains why it is slower
when compared to MOLAP.
 ROLAP Advantages

1. It can handle huge volumes of data.

2. ROLAP utilizes a relational database. This enables the model to integrate
the ROLAP server with an RDBMS (relational database management
system).
3. High data efficiency: It offers high data efficiency because query
performance and access language are optimized particularly for the
multidimensional data analysis.
4. Scalability: This type of OLAP system offers scalability for managing
large volumes of data, and even when the data is steadily increasing.
 Disadvantages of ROLAP

1. Demand for higher resources: ROLAP needs high utilization of

manpower, software, and hardware resources.
2. Aggregately data limitations: ROLAP tools use SQL for all calculation of
aggregate data. However, there are no set limits to the for handling
computations.
3. Slow query performance: Query performance in this model is slow when
compared with MOLAP
 Hybrid Online Analytical Processing (HOLAP)

This type of analytical processing solves the limitations of MOLAP and

ROLAP and combines their attributes. Hybrid OLAP is a mixture of both
ROLAP and MOLAP. It offers fast computation of MOLAP and higher
scalability of ROLAP. Data in the database is divided into two parts:
specialized storage and relational storage. Integrating these two aspects
addresses issues relating to performance and scalability. HOLAP stores huge
volumes of data in a relational database and keeps aggregations in a MOLAP
server.

HOLAP
 HOLAP Model

Working of HOLAP:
The HOLAP model consists of a server that can
support ROLAP and MOLAP. It consists of a
complex architecture that requires frequent
maintenance. Queries made in the HOLAP model
involve the multi-dimensional database and the
relational database. The front-user tool presents
data from the database management system
(directly) or through the intermediate MOLAP.

HOLAP Model
 HOLAP Advantages

1. It improves performance and scalability because it combines multi-dimensional and

relational attributes of online analytical processing.
2. It is a resourceful analytical processing tool if we expect the size of data to increase.
3. Its processing ability is higher than the other two analytical processing tools.
4. This kind of OLAP helps to economize the disk space, and it also remains compact
which helps to avoid issues related to access speed and convenience.
5. Hybrid HOLAP’s uses cube technology which allows faster performance for all types of
data.
6. ROLAP are instantly updated and HOLAP users have access to this real-time instantly
updated data. MOLAP brings cleaning and conversion of data thereby improving data
relevance. This brings best of both worlds.
 Disadvantages of HOLAP

The model uses a huge storage space because it consists of data from two
databases.
The model requires frequent updates because of its complex nature.
Greater complexity level: The major drawback in HOLAP systems is that it
supports both ROLAP and MOLAP tools and applications. Thus, it is very
complicated.
Potential overlaps: There are higher chances of overlapping especially into
their functionalities.
 Other OLAP

Web OLAP which is OLAP system accessible via the web

Web OLAP (WOLAP) browser. WOLAP is a three-tiered architecture. It consists of
three components: client, middleware, and a database server.

Mobile OLAP helps users to access and analyze OLAP data

Mobile OLAP:
using their mobile devices

SOLAP is created to facilitate management of both spatial and

Spatial OLAP :
non-spatial data in a Geographic Information system (GIS)
 References
• R.N. Prasad and Seema Acharya, “Fundamentals of Business
Analytics”, Wiley India Publishers.
• https://www.guru99.com/multidimensional-online-analytical-
processing.html
• https://www.guru99.com/online-analytical-processing.html
• https://www.section.io/engineering-education/molap-vs-rolap-vs-
holap/
Thanks