Simplifying the Milvus Selection Process
Tags: opensource, ai, rag, programming
Published: 2024-02-20 05:16:26

Selecting the right version of open-source [Milvus](https://milvus.io/) is important to the success of any project leveraging vector search technology. With Milvus offering different versions of its [vector database](https://zilliz.com/learn/what-is-vector-database) tailored to varying requirements, understanding the significance of selecting the correct version is key for achieving desired outcomes.

The appropriate Milvus version can expedite learning and prototyping or optimize resource utilization, streamline development efforts, and ensure compatibility with existing infrastructure and tools. Ultimately, it's about enhancing developer productivity and improving efficiency, reliability, and user satisfaction.

## Available Milvus Versions:

### Milvus Lite
As its name suggests, Milvus Lite is a lightweight version designed to seamlessly integrate with Google Colab and Jupyter Notebook. Packaged as a single binary with no additional dependencies, Milvus Lite is easy to install and run on your machine or embed in Python applications. With a CLI-based standalone server, Milvus Lite offers flexibility, whether embedded within Python code or used as a standalone server.

#### Available Resources
* [Documentation](https://milvus.io/docs/milvus_lite.md)
* [Github Repository](https://github.com/milvus-io/milvus-lite/)
* [Google Colab Example](https://github.com/milvus-io/milvus-lite/blob/main/examples/example.ipynb)
* [Getting Started Video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgJdrGiB5ZY)


### Milvus Standalone
Offering identical core vector database features, Milvus Lite, Milvus Standalone and Milvus Cluster differ in data size support and scalability requirements. Milvus Standalone operates independently as a single instance without clustering or distributed setup, ideal for smaller-scale deployments, CI/CD, and offline scenarios without Kubernetes support.

#### Available Resources
* [Environment Checklist for Milvus with Docker Compose](https://milvus.io/docs/prerequisite-docker.md)
* [Install Milvus Standalone with Docker](https://milvus.io/docs/install_standalone-docker.md)
* [Github Repository](https://github.com/milvus-io/milvus)


### Milvus Cluster
Distributed across multiple nodes or servers, Milvus Cluster provides scalability, fault tolerance, and load balancing features for handling big data and serving concurrent queries efficiently. Leveraging distributed computing and load balancing, Milvus Cluster offers unparalleled availability, performance, and cost optimization for enterprise-grade workloads.

#### Available Resources
* [Documentation | How to get started](https://milvus.io/docs/install_cluster-milvusoperator.md)
* [Install Milvus Cluster with Milvus Operator](https://milvus.io/docs/install_cluster-milvusoperator.md)
* [Install Milvus Cluster with Helm](https://milvus.io/docs/install_cluster-helm.md)
* [How to scale a Milvus Cluster](https://milvus.io/docs/scaleout.md)
* [Github Repository](https://github.com/milvus-io/milvus)


## Making the Decision
When choosing the right Milvus version, factors such as dataset size, traffic volume, scalability requirements, and production environment constraints should be considered. Milvus Lite is perfect for prototyping, while Milvus Standalone offers high performance and flexibility for smaller-scale deployments. Milvus Cluster is ideal for large-scale, highly available production environments.

Additionally, [Zilliz Cloud ](https://cloud.zilliz.com/signup)offers a hassle-free managed version of Milvus, providing an alternative for users seeking simplified deployment and management. Plus, with the Pipelines capability, you can created your embeddings in Zilliz Cloud providing you an all in one experience!

Ultimately, the selection of the Milvus version hinges on your specific use case, infrastructure requirements, and long-term goals. By carefully evaluating these factors and understanding the features and capabilities of each version, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your project's needs and objectives. Whether you opt for Milvus Standalone, Milvus Cluster, or Zilliz Cloud, harnessing the power of vector databases can significantly enhance the performance and efficiency of your AI applications.