Range-based sharding in MongoDB - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is range-based sharding in MongoDB?

Range-based sharding splits data into chunks based on a range of shard key values. Each shard holds documents within a specific range, like dividing a book by chapters.

beginner

How does MongoDB decide which shard stores a document in range-based sharding?

MongoDB looks at the shard key value of the document and places it in the shard responsible for the range that includes that value.

intermediate

What is a chunk in range-based sharding?

A chunk is a continuous range of shard key values. MongoDB moves chunks between shards to balance data and load.

intermediate

Why might range-based sharding cause hotspots?

If many writes target a small range of shard key values, one shard gets overloaded, causing a hotspot and slowing performance.

beginner

Name one advantage of range-based sharding.

It allows efficient range queries because related data is stored together on the same shard.

In range-based sharding, how is data divided across shards?

A By ranges of shard key values

B Randomly across shards

C By hashing the shard key

D By document size

Range-based sharding divides data by ranges of shard key values, so each shard holds a specific range.

What is a potential problem with range-based sharding?

A Data is evenly distributed

B Chunks cannot move between shards

C Hotspots can form if many writes target one range

D It does not support range queries

Hotspots happen when many writes target a small range, overloading one shard.

What is a chunk in MongoDB range-based sharding?

A A backup copy

B A single document

C A shard server

D A range of shard key values

A chunk is a continuous range of shard key values that MongoDB manages.

Which query type benefits most from range-based sharding?

A Random document lookups

B Range queries on shard key

C Full collection scans

D Queries without shard key

Range queries on the shard key are efficient because related data is stored together.

How does MongoDB balance data in range-based sharding?

A By moving chunks between shards

B By deleting old data

C By copying data to all shards

D By changing shard keys

MongoDB moves chunks between shards to keep data balanced.

Explain how range-based sharding works in MongoDB and why it might cause hotspots.

Think about how dividing data by ranges affects where data goes and how busy shards get.

Describe one advantage and one disadvantage of using range-based sharding.

Consider query speed and load distribution.