The new release introduces extensible modules, greater memory efficiency, and advanced functionalities that solidify Valkey as a cutting-edge alternative in in-memory data storage.
At the KubeCon + CloudNativeCon Europe, the Linux Foundation announced the general availability of Valkey 8.1, a version that represents a significant advancement for this open-source in-memory data store. The release comes at a critical time when companies are demanding faster, more efficient, and adaptable solutions for managing large volumes of real-time data.
Key features of Valkey 8.1 include:
- Up to 20% reduction in memory usage for common key/value workloads.
- 90% improvement in P100 latency for requests with active memory defragmentation.
- New command logging system, providing increased visibility into the resources utilized by specific operations.
- Up to 49% increase in graphics (GPU) performance and 44% increase in AI performance compared to previous versions.
New modules for an extensible architecture
Valkey 8.1 is making the leap to a modular ecosystem, integrating three initial modules developed in collaboration with AWS and Google Cloud, aimed at enhancing the system’s customization and adaptability:
- Search Module (Google): a high-precision vector search engine ideal for AI workloads. It offers low latency and can handle billions of vectors.
- JSON Module (AWS): enables partial operations on JSON structures, facilitating efficient storage and retrieval of documents.
- Probabilistic Bloom Filter (AWS): a tool for large-scale membership verification sets, providing up to 90% memory savings, useful in fraud detection and digital advertising.
Boost for artificial intelligence and real-time data
Thanks to its modernized architecture, Valkey 8.1 positions itself as a robust platform for applications in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and real-time data processing, capable of serving as the foundation for ultra-fast document databases and event-driven solutions.
According to Dmitry Polyakovsky, cloud technology lead at Oracle:
“Valkey 8.1 redefines what an in-memory storage system can offer. Its new vector search module unlocks unique possibilities for AI, and combined with native support for JSON, it transcends its role as a simple cache to become an extremely fast in-memory document store.”
Community growth and global collaboration
This release coincides with the first anniversary of the Valkey project, which now has over 150 unique contributors. To celebrate, a special event will be held at the Percona booth during the conference, including networking activities for the open-source community.
Madelyn Olson, co-maintainer of the project, emphasized:
“With Valkey 8.1, we see the power of open collaboration reflected. The improvements in efficiency, observability, and modularity not only optimize performance but also lay the groundwork for future innovations.”
Valkey: a modern and open alternative to Redis
Originating as a fork of Redis, Valkey has evolved with its own identity, incorporating transparency mechanisms, compatibility with multiple scripting engines, and backing from major industry players such as Huawei, Canonical, and Ericsson.
Cédric Gégout, Vice President of Products at Canonical, stated:
“Valkey 8.1 is a solid foundation for the future of data-driven innovation. Its modular design makes it a key tool for cloud and edge computing environments that require flexibility and scalability.”
About the Linux Foundation
The Linux Foundation is the world’s leading organization dedicated to collaboration in open-source software. It hosts critical projects for global technology infrastructure, including Linux, Kubernetes, Node.js, PyTorch, RISC-V, and many others. Its mission is to foster sustainable collaboration models, promoting best practices and open solutions tailored to the needs of developers, businesses, and communities.