--- name: cloud-databases-gen2-faq title: Cloud Databases Gen 2 – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) description: '[Gen 2]' last-updated: 2026-07-20 --- > ## Documentation Index > The table of contents for this documentation set is at https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/cloud-databases-gen2?format=markdown > The index for all IBM Cloud docs is at: https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/llms.txt > Use these files to discover more information as needed. # Cloud Databases Gen 2 – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) {: #faq} {: faq} {: support} [Gen 2]{: tag-purple} ## Overview {: #faq-overview} Cloud Databases Gen 2 is built on **IBM Cloud VPC infrastructure**, replacing the older Classic infrastructure used by Gen 1 services. VPC provides stronger performance, enhanced security, modernized networking, and better operational controls for managed databases. This FAQ summarizes the key differences for Cloud Databases Gen 2 (VPC) and how it differs from the Classic (Gen 1) version. --- ### 1. What is the biggest difference between Classic and Gen 2? {: #faq-1} Classic services run on IBM's Original **Classic Platform**, while Gen 2 runs on **VPC (Virtual Private Cloud)** with software-defined networking. #### Classic Gen 1 vs VPC Gen 2: Architectural differences {: #faq-1-differences} | Area | Classic | Gen 2 | |------|------------------|--------------| | **Infrastructure** | VLAN-based Classic data-center model | Modern, software-defined VPC regional model | | **Performance** | Network speeds up to ~50 Gbps | Network speeds up to 200 Gbps | | **Zone architecture** | Limited use of zone architecture | Strong multi-zone availability | | **Security** | Older networking/security approach | VPEs, IAM-native integration, modern cloud networking | | **Provisioning** | Less flexibile provisioning model, slower to modify | Fast, API/CLI/Terraform-first model | | **Scaling** | Fixed instance profiles with Isolated and Shared Compute models| Faster, more flexible scaling with modern isolated compute profiles | {: caption="Key differences" caption-side="bottom"} ### 2. Why should I choose Gen 2? {: #faq-2} Gen 2 provides: - Modern networking with higher throughput. - Better multi-zone availability. - Stronger security with Private only connections and IAM integration. - Faster provisioning and automation alignment. - Long-term strategic alignment with IBM Cloud® ### 3. Does Gen 2 have any limitations compared to Classic? {: #faq-3} Yes, the following limitations exist at this point: - Montreal, Chennai, Mumbai, Frankfurt, and Washington DC region only. - Context-based restrictions (CBR) is not yet supported. ### 4. Do Gen 2 databases support the same features as Gen 1? {: #faq-4} Gen 2 supports the same core database engines and delivers improved performance, security, and operational capabilities on VPC. Some Gen 1 features and use cases are still being added to Gen 2 as the platform expands, but coverage is increasing rapidly. Most workloads will run normally on Gen 2 today, and full use case parity will continue to grow over time. To track the differences between Gen 1 and Gen 2 Databases, check out the [Overview page](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/cloud-databases-gen2?topic=cloud-databases-gen2-overview-gen1-gen2&format=markdown). ### 5. Are there differences in hosting models between Gen 1 and Gen 2? {: #faq-5} Gen 2 instances currently offer fixed, Isolated Compute profiles only. These profiles run on newer hardware built on 4th Gen Intel® Xeon® Scalable processors (Sapphire Rapids). Gen 1 instances use a previous generation of hardware (Intel® Xeon® Platinum 8260 Cascade Lake) and support both shared and isolated hosting models. The following table explains the differences between Shared Compute and Isolated Compute in Gen 1. | Shared Compute (multi-tenant) | Isolated Compute (single-tenant)| |---------------|------------------| | - Flexible CPU/RAM selections
- Small or custom presets
- Ideal for dev/test or cost-efficient workloads | - Dedicated compute
- Best for production workloads requiring isolation | {: caption="Differences in hosting models" caption-side="bottom"} ### 6. How does performance differ between Classic and Gen 2? {: #faq-6} Gen 2 is built on newer underlying infrastructure that provides higher baseline capabilities, such as: - Up to 200 Gbps networking. - Improved CPU/memory profiles. - IOPS-based scalable storage performance. - Higher bandwidth with dedicated bandwidth for storage. - Lower latency on the network level. - Ability to select the CPU generation. - Snapshot-based backups that do not impact database performance. - Restores in the background while you can use the database. Thus, restore times are less dependent on database size. However, application-level performance improvements will vary depending on workload characteristics, data access patterns and service configuration. While Gen 2 offers a more powerful platform, performance outcomes are not guaranteed and may differ based on your specific workload. ### 7. What about security differences? {: #faq-7} Gen 2 delivers: - Private only access via Virtual Private Endpoints (VPEs). - Cloud-native networking (VPN, LBaaS, NAT). - Unified IAM integration. - Consistent encryption at rest/in transit. ### 8. Does Gen 2 change backup and restore capabilities? {: #faq-8} Yes, with: - Snapshot-based bakups. - Enhanced point-in-time recovery (PITR). - More performant and predictable backup and restore performance due to newer Gen 2 storage architecture. - Indpenedent backups (currently for Databases for MySQL only). For more information, see [Comparison of Gen 1 and Gen 2 backups](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/cloud-databases-gen2?topic=cloud-databases-gen2-comparison-backups&format=markdown#independent-backups-features). ### 9. How does high availability differ? {: #faq-9} Gen 2 provides: - Multi-zone deployments. - Faster failover. - Up to 2 HA nodes + 1 DR replica in some database offerings. ### 10. Are there pricing changes? {: #faq-10} Yes. IBM Cloud® Gen 2 Databases use the same pricing model as Gen 1, but the overall pricing structure is more aligned with broader market expectations. Backup-related pricing now follows a snapshot-based model consistent with standard database-industry practices. Storage costs are also approximately 60% lower. The exact impact on your workload depends on the your service and configuration. ### 11. Do Gen 2 database services integrate better with automation tools? {: #faq-11} Yes. Gen 2 Databases provide stronger integration with IBM Cloud® automation tooling through: - Improved Terraform support. - Stronger API alignment across services. - Resource Controller API for instance lifecycle management. - IBM Cloud® CLI support through Resource Controller CLI. ### 12. How does the CLI differ between Gen 1 and Gen 2? {: #faq-12} | Classic CLI | Gen 2 CLI| |---------------|------------------| | Based on Classic infrastructure | New CLI plugin required | | Commands tied to Classic networking and resource constructs | VPC-native command model | | **Does not work** with Gen 2 services | Works with Gen 2 compute models and VPE networking | {: caption="Differences in CLI" caption-side="bottom"} Gen 2 does not currently support the Databases CLI (CDB) plugin. For Gen 2 instances, you must use the IBM Cloud Resource Controller CLI commands. This includes operations like creating instances, updating configurations, and managing service credentials. See the [CLI reference](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/cloud-databases-gen2?topic=cloud-databases-gen2-cdb-reference&format=markdown) documentation for Gen 2-specific commands. ### 13. Do monitoring and logging tools change? {: #faq-13} No. Both Gen 1 and Gen 2 instances fully integrate with: - [IBM® Cloud Logs](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/cloud-databases-gen2?topic=cloud-databases-gen2-logging&format=markdown) - [IBM Cloud® Monitoring](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/cloud-databases-gen2?topic=cloud-databases-gen2-monitoring&format=markdown)