Advantages and Disadvantages of Microservices Architecture
In 2009, when Netflix transitioned from a monolith architecture to a microservices architecture, many big market players followed their lead. Netflix was the first high-profile brand to do that successfully. Since then, many have done the same without facing any hurdles.
But is microservices architecture a proper approach for you and suitable for the needs of your organization?
Well, like everything else, this one, too, has its pros and cons. We have compiled a list of the benefits of microservices architecture and its disadvantages so that you can make a more informed decision on your own.
What are microservices?
Microservices is an architectural method that depends on a series of independently deployable services. It is a way of breaking larger software into independent modules and projected coupled services, communicating with each other through APIs. Each one has its database with a specified goal and business logic.
Each service has updating, testing, deployment, and scaling going on as per the needs, making it much more suitable for a growing business. Microservices make complexity visible and more manageable. It is achieved by separating tasks into smaller segments and contributing to the overall process.
Advantages of microservices architecture
Nowadays, many apps are transitioning from monolith architecture to microservices architecture. It has become a norm, as it should be. There are many benefits of microservices, and here are a few of them.
Better efficiency
Microservices are more straightforward in comparison to monolithic applications. Contrary to monolithic applications, they don’t require the same level of coordination and communication as they are self-sufficient. Microservices allow organizations to use the right technology for a specific task, thus improving efficiency and reducing errors.
More scalability
In the hour of need, an organization can easily scale microservices. As each service is separate and independent, the scalability can be done more time efficiently while keeping the process cost-efficient.
Independent deployment
The deployment of microservices is done independently. Therefore, an organization has more control. Increased control is a huge advantage that helps organizations quickly respond to changes in the market.
Easy management
When it comes to management and maintenance, microservices take the cake with their ease of use. They are small and self-contained, which makes updates, management, and maintenance easier. Each service is independent and is assigned a specific task, so it minimizes the risk of errors during the update.
Disadvantages of microservices architecture
As we said earlier, everything has pros and cons, and so does microservices architecture. With many benefits, microservices also have a fair share of disadvantages. Here are a few of them.
More complex
Microservices have very high complexity. It is a significant disadvantage an organization faces. It can be a massive challenge if they are not familiar with the workings of microservices. Also, microservices are independent, which makes it challenging to track down the errors and resolve them.
Dependency on DevOps
DevOps is responsible for deploying and managing microservices. Therefore, for microservices, an organization requires a strong DevOps team in place. Without their availability, it is next to impossible for an organization to implement and manage a microservice-based application.
Complex global testing and debugging
Spread across multiple servers and devices, testing and debugging microservices applications can pose several difficulties. To successfully and effectively test and debug a microservices application, one needs access to every server and device connected to the system. However, due to its large-scale and widely distributed system, it can become tiresome.
To wrap things up
There are two sides to microservices. While it offers better scalability, flexibility, and independent deployment; its dependency on DevOps and complex debugging and the testing process can be a deal breaker. But, it is currently a popular choice among organizations. After considering the pros and cons, it entirely depends on an organization which way it wants to go.
