MongoDB Technical Administration and Operations Training Course

Module 1: Introduction and MongoDB Architecture (4h)

Key Topics:

• Evolution of MongoDB and its ecosystem
• Common use cases, along with advantages and limitations
• Core architecture: understanding instances, processes, and configuration

Practical Exercises:

• Interactive exploration: Connecting via Mongo Shell/CLI
• Creating a sample database and collection

Module 2: Installation and Initial Configuration (6h)

Key Topics:

• Hardware and resource prerequisites
• Installation procedures for Linux (deb/rpm), Windows, and macOS
• Configuring YAML files (mongod.conf): dataDir, logDir, bindIp, port
• Managing startup options and services via systemd/service management

Practical Exercises:

• Deploying instances on local VMs or Docker containers
• Tuning configurations for development versus production environments
• Verifying secure remote connectivity

Module 3: Data Modeling and Basic Operations (5h)

Key Topics:

• Understanding BSON documents, collections, and databases
• Data modelling strategies: embedding vs referencing; design patterns
• Overview of basic indexes (introduced in prior contexts)
• Performing operations using Mongo Shell and scripting with drivers

Practical Exercises:

• Modelling a practical use case, such as an inventory or billing system
• Implementing CRUD operations
• Applying schema validation using JSON Schema in MongoDB

Module 4: Indexes and Performance (4h)

Key Topics:

• Types of indexes: simple, compound, multikey, text, and geospatial
• Leveraging explain() for query analysis and metric interpretation
• Impact of indexes on write performance and memory usage

Practical Exercises:

• Creating collections populated with test data
• Testing queries with and without indexes; analysing explain() output
• Optimising indexes based on observed access patterns

Module 5: Security (5h)

Key Topics:

• Authentication mechanisms: SCRAM, and an introduction to LDAP/Kerberos
• Defining users and custom roles
• Securing communication between clients and servers using TLS/SSL
• Implementing at-rest encryption: key configuration
• Setting up basic audit logging

Practical Exercises:

• Creating users with the principle of least privilege
• Configuring TLS on local instances
• Testing unauthorized access attempts and reviewing audit logs

Module 6: Replication and High Availability (6h)

Key Topics:

• Replication fundamentals: Primary, Secondary, and oplog concepts
• Configuring replica sets: initiation, membership management, and arbitration
• Monitoring replication status and election processes
• Maintenance tasks: adding/removing members and reassigning priorities

Practical Exercises:

• Deploying a three-node replica set (locally or on VMs)
• Simulating primary failure and observing automatic failover
• Rebuilding secondary nodes and recovering replicas

Module 7: Sharding and Horizontal Scalability (6h)

Key Topics:

• Sharding fundamentals: shard keys, config servers, and the mongos router
• Selecting optimal shard keys and understanding associated risks
• Deploying config servers, shards, and mongos instances
• Managing rebalancing and chunk migration

Practical Exercises:

• Configuring a simple sharded cluster
• Inserting large-scale data to observe distribution patterns
• Exploring the implications of shard key changes and understanding their limitations

Module 8: Backup, Restore, and Disaster Recovery (4h)

Key Topics:

• Utilising native tools: mongodump/mongorestore and filesystem snapshots
• Backup strategies for replica sets and sharded clusters
• Using Cloud Manager/Ops Manager for automated backups
• Disaster Recovery (DR) planning: defining RTO and RPO

Practical Exercises:

• Executing backup and restore procedures on a test database
• Simulating data loss and performing recovery from backup
• Designing a comprehensive DR plan for a hypothetical scenario

Module 9: Monitoring and Alerts (4h)

Key Topics:

• Essential tools: mongostat, mongotop, and Cloud Manager/Atlas Monitoring
• Integrating with Prometheus + Grafana (concepts and practical examples)
• Tracking key metrics: CPU, memory, I/O, oplog size, and latencies
• Setting up alerts: defining thresholds and notification workflows

Practical Exercises:

• Deploying a local or container-based monitoring agent
• Creating basic dashboards with representative metrics
• Simulating load to trigger and observe alerts

Module 10: Maintenance, Upgrades, and Best Practices (4h)

Key Topics:

• Upgrade strategies for replica sets and sharded clusters
• Data management: cleanup, compaction, and integrity checks
• Regular log reviews and audit practices
• Automating routine tasks using scripts, cronjobs, Ansible, and Terraform
• Establishing data retention and archiving policies

Practical Exercises:

• Simulating minor and major upgrades in a controlled environment
• Developing automation scripts for backups and monitoring
• Creating a recurring maintenance checklist

Summary and Next Steps