Microservices vs Monolithic Architecture for DevOps: Key Differences

The DevOps landscape, folks, is a rather dynamic one — evolving at quite the pace to keep up with the market. And in this space, there is one factor that is ever so important: the choice of architectural frameworks. This is because these architectural frameworks play a crucial role in shaping the efficiency, scalability, and agility of apps that we build. And amidst the sea of options available in the market, two approaches manage to stand out: monolithic and microservices architectures. Both, of course, boast unique advantages, but for successful software delivery, one may be a better option than the other for some.

If you too have been pondering the same question, worry not. In this article, I will dissect the workings of these DevOps architectural powerhouses.

Why the Architecture in DevOps Matters?

You see, what DevOps really is an approach whose goal is to help you close the gap between development and operations during software development. And the architectural framework you choose here serves to impact how you navigate DevOps.

Now, let us take a closer look at the difference between microservices and monolithic architecture.

Microservices vs Monolithic Architecture: Key Differences

• Architecture: The monolithic architecture involves a single codebase with tightly paired components and, of course, an all-in-one deployment. It must also be noted that all components within a monolith are closely interdependent and share the same codebase and resources. Oh and it also makes use of a consistent technology stack across the entire application. This is definitely not the case with the Microservices architecture, where the app is organized into smaller, independent services. These services, then, communicate with each other via APIs. Also, services in a microservices architecture are loosely coupled, which means they are conducive to independent development and deployment. Also, each microservice is able to use its own technology stack.
• Developing apps: When you set out to develop apps with the monolithic architecture, you will be working on a single codebase which facilitates a unified development environment. And as the app grows, the monolithic codebase too tends to become large and complicated. On the other hand, with microservices, developers have to work on individual services, which, as mentioned above, enables independent development, testing, and deployment too. Plus, microservices enable individual teams to focus on specific services and that encourages faster development as well as flexibility.
• Testing apps: When it comes to testing with a monolith architecture involved, teams typically find themselves working with comprehensive integrated testing. This can be, of course, quite time-consuming. Also, remember that changes in one module may mean you need to extensively test the entire app. Owing to the independent nature of microservices, each of them can be tested independently. This allows for not only more targeted testing but also accelerates the entire process. Microservices also make it easier to find, isolate, and debug issues, thanks to microservices’ modular nature.
• Deployment complexity: Deploying changes with the monolith architecture means you will be updating the entire monolith. So, be prepared for some downtime. This is not a challenge with microservices though, since they can be deployed independently, meaning continuous delivery without affecting the entire system.
• Scalability: To scale the monolith architecture, you will need to typically replicate the entire app, even if only some modules need additional resources. Thankfully, this is not a challenge with microservices owing to their granular scalability, i.e. specific services can be scaled independently.

While the choice may seem complicated at first, remember that it ultimately depends on the specific needs and goals of the development and operations teams working on the project. So, make sure to carefully consider the project’s requirements.