Cloud-based CI/CD

What is on-premises CI/CD?

On-premises CI/CD refers to running your Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery pipelines within your organization's own data centers or private infrastructure, as opposed to using cloud-based solutions. Organizations with strict security, compliance, or data residency requirements typically prefer this approach.

With an on-premises CI/CD setup, all the tools and services required for the software delivery lifecycle are hosted locally. This can provide greater control over data, customization, and integration with existing systems but often requires significant resources to manage and maintain.

For instance, Jenkins is a popular on-premises CI/CD tool, offering a wide range of plugins to customize the automation pipeline but often requiring extensive scripting and maintenance efforts. In contrast, Harness provides both on-premises and SaaS options, with a focus on ease of use, minimal maintenance, and advanced features like GitOps, continuous verification, and built-in secrets management, which reduce the overhead typically associated with on-prem CI/CD setups.

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What is cloud-based CI/CD?

Cloud-based CI/CD is the practice of running Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery pipelines on cloud infrastructure instead of on-premises servers. This approach leverages cloud resources to automate the software development lifecycle, offering significant advantages in scalability, flexibility, and maintenance.

In a cloud-based CI/CD setup, all components, including source code repositories, build servers, and deployment pipelines, are hosted in the cloud. This allows teams to use the cloud’s elasticity, meaning they can scale resources up or down based on demand without investing in physical hardware. Additionally, cloud-based CI/CD tools often come with managed services, reducing infrastructure maintenance's burden and allowing teams to focus more on development and delivery.

Harness, for example, provides a cloud-based CI/CD platform that supports various cloud providers like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud. It simplifies the deployment process with features like GitOps, automated verification, and built-in secrets management. The platform is designed to be user-friendly, requiring minimal scripting, and is particularly beneficial for organizations that prioritize speed and efficiency in their software delivery process.

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How to choose: on-prem vs. cloud CI/CD

When deciding between on-premises and cloud-based CI/CD solutions, several factors should be considered based on your organization's needs, resources, and priorities. Here are some key considerations:

1. Security and Compliance

• On-Premises CI/CD: If your organization handles sensitive data or operates in a highly regulated industry, an on-premises solution might be preferable. On-prem CI/CD allows you to keep all data within your own infrastructure, offering greater control over security and compliance measures. However, it might take a lot of effort to maintain these requirements.
• Cloud-Based CI/CD: While cloud-based solutions have strong security protocols, they may not meet the specific regulatory requirements of some industries. However, many cloud providers offer compliance certifications that could align with your needs. For example, Harness is the only platform that provides SLSA L3 compliance.

2. Maintenance and Management

• On-Premises CI/CD: This requires your team to manage, maintain, and update the infrastructure. It can be resource-intensive and may require dedicated personnel to ensure smooth operations. The complexity of maintaining an on-prem solution like Jenkins, which demands significant scripting and management, can be a downside.
• Cloud-Based CI/CD: A cloud solution is managed by the service provider, reducing the need for in-house maintenance. This allows your development and operations teams to focus on building and delivering software rather than maintaining infrastructure.

3. Scalability

• On-Premises CI/CD: Scaling an on-premises setup requires purchasing additional hardware, which can be expensive and time-consuming. It's also less flexible in responding to sudden changes in demand.
• Cloud-Based CI/CD: Cloud solutions offer elasticity, allowing you to easily scale resources up or down based on demand without worrying about the underlying hardware. This is particularly beneficial for organizations with fluctuating workloads.

4. Cost

• On-Premises CI/CD: The initial setup cost for an on-prem solution can be high due to hardware purchases, installation, and ongoing maintenance. However, for large organizations with stable and predictable workloads, it may become cost-effective in the long run. The cost of the engineering team required to maintain the infrastructure also needs to be factored in.
• Cloud-Based CI/CD: Cloud CI/CD typically operates on a pay-as-you-go model, which can be more cost-effective for organizations with varying workloads. However, the long-term costs might be higher if usage scales significantly.

5. Flexibility and Integration

• On-Premises CI/CD: Offers greater flexibility in terms of customization and integration with legacy systems. However, this often comes at the cost of increased complexity and the need for custom scripting.
• Cloud-Based CI/CD: Generally easier to integrate with modern, cloud-native applications and services. Solutions like Harness are designed to work seamlessly with multiple cloud providers, offering built-in integrations and reducing the need for custom code.

Conclusion

• Choose On-Premises CI/CD if your organization requires strict data control, has specific regulatory needs, or needs deep customization that an on-prem setup can provide.
• Choose Cloud-Based CI/CD if you prioritize scalability, ease of maintenance, and flexibility, and if your organization can operate within the security frameworks provided by cloud providers.

Ultimately, the choice depends on your specific organizational needs, including security requirements, budget, and the technical expertise of your team. Some organizations might even adopt a hybrid approach, using both on-premises and cloud-based solutions to meet different needs. As a reminder, Harness offers loads of capabilities, such as SLSA L3 compliance and requires low maintenance with high uptime.

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