As website traffic or database size grows to millions of records, standard development methods stop coping. Pages start taking several seconds to load, CPU server load hits 100%, the database locks tables, and users see 504 Gateway Timeout errors.
Simply buying a more expensive server solves the problem only temporarily — suboptimal queries scale extremely poorly. We approach high-load (Highload) system optimization at the architecture and code level. We analyze slow query logs (Slow Query Log), build efficient index bases, rewrite heavy SQL queries, and deploy in-memory caching (Redis, Memcached).
For projects with terabytes of data, we implement distributed architectures: database replication (Master-Slave) to separate read and write streams, as well as horizontal scaling (sharding).
Speeding up slow SQL query execution time after index optimization
RPS (requests per second) — target performance of the optimized database
Backend API response time under peak load in cached mode
Data rows — the minimum volume of tables we work with during optimization
An sub-optimal SQL query with nested loops takes exponentially longer to execute as the database grows. We write clean, fast backend code and configure proper indexes, saving you money on server rentals.
We conduct a detailed study of system metrics and optimize bottlenecks.
Using specialized profilers (Blackfire, Xdebug, V8 Profiler), we break down server script execution by milliseconds. We find "heavy" functions, RAM memory leaks, and unnecessary loops.
Optimizing the server code itself reduces the load on the processor (CPU) several times over.
Queries to traditional hard drives and DBMS take relatively long to execute. We set up Redis/Memcached — in-memory databases. 'Hot' and rarely changing data is delivered in fractions of a millisecond.
The server instantly serves a cached page or block without accessing the main database at all.
With simultaneous reads and writes, the database can lock tables (Database locks). We configure replication: the main server (Master) accepts write operations, while a pool of replica servers (Slaves) serves read operations.
This eliminates deadlocks and distributes the read load across machines.
Sequential process of log collection, query debugging, cache setup, and load testing.
We enable monitoring of slow SQL queries. We identify queries with execution times exceeding 100 ms. We build a database load map.
We analyze query execution plans (EXPLAIN). We add composite indexes, eliminate Full Table Scan, and optimize JOIN connections.
We launch backend code profiling. We look for memory leaks, inefficient data processing algorithms, and optimize internal loops.
We design caching schemes: cache-aside for static website blocks, product lists, and menus. We configure time-to-live (TTL) and cache invalidation.
We fine-tune DBMS configuration files (my.cnf, postgresql.conf): memory buffer pool distribution, connection cache, and disk write parameters.
Using k6/wrk utilities, we simulate a peak influx of thousands of users. We measure response time stability, CPU usage, and prove results with figures.
We use advanced database profiling and caching software.
Leading code profilers. Provide interactive Call Graphs, allowing you to visually see which line of PHP or Node.js consumes CPU resources.
Ultra-fast RAM cache storage. Used to store results of heavy queries, user sessions, and tokens, responding to requests within microseconds.
Modern load testing software. It generates asynchronous HTTP requests across thousands of threads, allowing you to evaluate backend durability before launching to production.
The price depends on the database size, server-side logic complexity, and required RPS performance.
| Features | SQL and index optimization Database cleanup and slow query acceleration 60 000 ₽ Timeframe: up to 7 days Order | Popular Caching and code Redis Integration, Backend Code Profiling 95 000 ₽ Timeframe: up to 14 days Order | Highload architecture Turnkey database replication and horizontal scaling from 180 000 ₽ Timeframe: from 20 days Discuss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of optimized SQL queries | up to 30 heavy requests | up to 70 requests + caching | Complete redesign of DB structure and queries |
| Redis Caching Integration | Basic block caching | Distributed Redis Sentinel Cache | |
| Backend code profiling (Blackfire / Node) | Basic profiling | Deep refactoring of bottlenecks | |
| Replication Setup (Master-Slave) | Read/Write stream splitting | ||
| Stress testing (k6 / wrk) | Testing up to 1,000 RPS | Tests up to 10,000+ RPS with report | |
| Server and DBMS configuration tuning | my.cnf/postgresql.conf Setup | RAM buffer optimization | Comprehensive tuning of OS kernel, Nginx, and DB |
Is your server constantly overloaded, and users complaining about a slow website? Write to us — we will capture load snapshots and show where milliseconds are lost.
Submit a request — our Highload architects will prepare your website for an influx of hundreds of thousands of visitors, optimize queries, set up caching, and guarantee stable performance under load.
Optimize backend for high load