---
title: Elasticsearch for Apache Hadoop key features
description: The key features of Elasticsearch for Apache Hadoop include: 
url: https://www.elastic.co/elastic/docs-builder/docs/3028/reference/elasticsearch-hadoop/key-features
products:
  - Elasticsearch
  - Elasticsearch for Apache Hadoop
---

# Elasticsearch for Apache Hadoop key features
The key features of Elasticsearch for Apache Hadoop include:
<definitions>
  <definition term="Scalable Map/Reduce model">
    elasticsearch-hadoop is built around Map/Reduce: *every* operation done in elasticsearch-hadoop results in multiple Hadoop tasks (based on the number of target shards) that interact, in parallel with Elasticsearch.
  </definition>
  <definition term="REST based">
    elasticsearch-hadoop uses Elasticsearch REST interface for communication, allowing for flexible deployments by minimizing the number of ports needed to be open within a network.
  </definition>
  <definition term="Self contained">
    the library has been designed to be small and efficient. At around 300KB and *no* extra dependencies outside Hadoop itself, distributing elasticsearch-hadoop within your cluster is simple and fast.
  </definition>
  <definition term="Universal jar">
    whether you are using vanilla Apache Hadoop or a certain distro, the *same* elasticsearch-hadoop jar works transparently across all of them.
  </definition>
  <definition term="Memory and I/O efficient">
    elasticsearch-hadoop is focused on performance. From pull-based parsing, to bulk updates and direct conversion to/of native types, elasticsearch-hadoop keeps its memory and network I/O usage finely-tuned.
  </definition>
  <definition term="Adaptive I/O">
    elasticsearch-hadoop detects transport errors and retries automatically. If the Elasticsearch node died, re-routes the request to the available nodes (which are discovered automatically). Additionally, if Elasticsearch is overloaded, elasticsearch-hadoop detects the data rejected and resents it, until it is either processed or the user-defined policy applies.
  </definition>
  <definition term="Facilitates data co-location">
    elasticsearch-hadoop fully integrates with Hadoop exposing its network access information, allowing co-located Elasticsearch and Hadoop clusters to be aware of each other and reduce network IO.
  </definition>
  <definition term="Map/Reduce API support">
    At its core, elasticsearch-hadoop uses the low-level Map/Reduce API to read and write data to Elasticsearch allowing for maximum integration flexibility and performance.
  </definition>
  <definition term="old(mapred) & new(mapreduce) Map/Reduce APIs supported">
    elasticsearch-hadoop automatically adjusts to your environment; one does not have to change between using the `mapred` or `mapreduce` APIs - both are supported, by the same classes, at the same time.
  </definition>
  <definition term="Apache Hive support">
    Run Hive queries against Elasticsearch for advanced analystics and *real_time* responses. elasticsearch-hadoop exposes Elasticsearch as a Hive table so your scripts can crunch through data faster then ever.
  </definition>
  <definition term="Apache Spark">
    Run fast transformations directly against Elasticsearch, either by streaming data or indexing *arbitrary* `RDD`s. Available in both Java and Scala flavors.
  </definition>
</definitions>