To maximize the potential of Apache Cassandra 5.x, pairing it with Java 17 and the Shenandoah Garbage Collector is critical. While Java 11 is supported, this combination offers a significant leap in performance, stability, and operational efficiency. Shenandoah's low-latency GC combined with Java 17's advancements results in higher throughput and predictable latency profiles.

pgrading Apache Cassandra from 4.x to 5.x is a critical, multi-step process. This guide outlines a recommended three-step strategy to methodically transition your cluster. This approach ensures data consistency and minimizes downtime while implementing the significant performance and storage efficiency improvements introduced in Cassandra 5.x.