Infrastructure as Code (IaC) vs Manual Deployment: Why IaC Isn’t Always the Answer

Infrastructure as Code (IaC) has become the go-to solution for managing cloud infrastructure. Tools like Terraform, AWS CloudFormation, and Azure ARM Templates offer automated, repeatable, and scalable deployment methods. However, as much as IaC brings benefits like consistency and automation, it’s not always the best solution for every situation. There are cases where manual deployment can still be a viable, or even preferable, option.

In this blog post, we’ll explore the key differences between IaC and manual deployment, and look at why IaC might not always be the right fit for every scenario.

What is Infrastructure as Code (IaC)?

IaC is the practice of managing and provisioning infrastructure through code, rather than manual processes. With IaC, your infrastructure, servers, networks, databases, and more, can be described in configuration files, allowing you to automate the setup, deployment, and scaling of your resources.

Benefits of IaC:

• Consistency: Code eliminates human error by ensuring the same configurations are applied every time.
• Version Control: You can track changes and roll back to previous states, just like with application code.
• Scalability: IaC enables automated scaling of resources, which is particularly important in cloud environments.
• Speed and Efficiency: Automating deployments reduces time-to-market for applications and services.

Despite these advantages, there are scenarios where manual deployment may be more appropriate. Let’s explore why.

When Manual Deployment Makes Sense

While IaC has its advantages, manual deployment can still play a role, especially in certain contexts. Here are some situations where manual deployment may be more practical:

1. Small-Scale Projects

For small, simple projects, setting up full-scale IaC processes may be overkill. If your infrastructure consists of a few virtual machines or limited services, manually configuring resources can often be faster and more straightforward. The effort involved in writing, testing, and maintaining IaC scripts may not justify the complexity for such a minimal setup.

• Example: A small business that needs a couple of VMs for a basic web server may find that manually setting up these resources is quicker and easier than using a full IaC pipeline.

2. One-Off Deployments

Not all environments require constant redeployment. For one-time or infrequent deployments, manual setup might be more efficient. IaC excels in environments that require frequent provisioning and tearing down, but if you’re setting up a resource once and rarely updating it, manual methods can be less burdensome.

• Example: You’re setting up a demo environment for a client or a proof of concept that won’t be reused or scaled. In this case, the overhead of IaC may outweigh its benefits.

3. Limited Team Expertise

Not all teams are equipped with the skills or experience to manage IaC effectively. While IaC can make life easier in the long run, the learning curve can be steep, especially for teams that are not familiar with coding or scripting. In these cases, the initial setup and troubleshooting of IaC scripts can be more time-consuming than a manual deployment.

• Example: A non-technical team needs to manage some cloud resources but lacks the programming expertise required to manage IaC scripts efficiently. For them, manually configuring infrastructure through the user-friendly cloud console might be the best approach.

4. Highly Customized Environments

Some environments are too complex or too unique for standard IaC templates to handle easily. When a high level of customization or one-off configurations is required, manual deployment might be more effective. While IaC is great for replicating infrastructure, it can sometimes struggle with very specific or niche setups that don’t fit neatly into predefined templates.

• Example: If your infrastructure requires a high degree of one-off customization, such as complex networking or security configurations that change frequently, it may be more efficient to handle these manually, rather than trying to encode every nuance into a script.

5. Cost of Maintenance

While IaC promises to reduce human error, it also introduces a new layer of complexity: maintaining the codebase. Writing IaC scripts is not a one-time job. The scripts must be updated and maintained as your infrastructure evolves. In cases where the infrastructure is static or changes infrequently, the ongoing maintenance costs of IaC may not be justified.

• Example: A small organization with a simple, static infrastructure may find that the cost of maintaining IaC scripts is higher than simply managing the infrastructure manually.

When to Choose IaC

While there are clear cases for manual deployment, IaC remains the better choice for many scenarios, particularly when:

• Scale is a Factor: Large-scale, complex infrastructures with multiple environments can be difficult to manage manually. IaC provides the automation needed to keep everything consistent and scalable.
• Frequent Changes: If your infrastructure is dynamic, with frequent updates, IaC ensures that you can make these changes quickly and reliably.
• DevOps or CI/CD Pipelines: In environments where DevOps practices or continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines are critical, IaC is essential for automating infrastructure provisioning as part of your overall workflow.

Conclusion

Infrastructure as Code is a powerful tool for managing cloud infrastructure, but it’s not always the right answer for every scenario. Small-scale projects, one-off deployments, or teams with limited technical expertise may benefit more from manual deployment. On the other hand, for larger, dynamic environments, IaC is invaluable for ensuring consistency, scalability, and automation.

Choosing between IaC and manual deployment depends on your project’s specific needs. By evaluating the scale, complexity, and required frequency of updates, you can decide which method is best suited for your infrastructure management.

Element Digital offers IT Consulting Services in Hobart, dedicated to providing expert guidance and strategic planning for all your IT needs. Our Hobart-based IT Professional Services are tailored to meet the diverse requirements of businesses in Tasmania. For more insights and updates, follow us on LinkedIn and stay connected with #ElementDigital.