The Impact of Monolithic Architecture on Scalability, Security, and Performance

Hard Coupling and Its Implications

In a monolithic system, the REST layer of one application often utilizes functions from another, creating a tightly coupled structure. This interdependency makes the system hard to break apart and necessitates rebuilding the entire application for any change. Such hard coupling causes a ripple effect, where changes in one part of the application require modifications at multiple locations, complicating maintenance and updates.

Difficulty in Scaling Components

Monolithic architecture makes it challenging to locate, monitor, and control performance bottlenecks. As a result, application performance slows down. Scaling the application requires scaling it as a whole, rather than individual components, leading to inefficiencies and increased resource consumption.

Reliability Issues

Error Propagation

In monolithic systems, an error in one part of the application can cause the entire application to crash. This high level of interdependency makes error detection and resolution extremely time-consuming and complex, adversely affecting overall system reliability.

Security Concerns

Outdated Technology Stack

Many monolithic systems run on outdated technology stacks. For instance, the operating system might be an old version, like CentOS 7, which is no longer supported. This obsolescence extends to server software, frontend technologies (such as AngularJS), and various npm packages. Such outdated components are more vulnerable to security threats.

Challenges in Upgrading

Upgrading to newer, more secure packages often requires extensive refactoring of both application and package code. This process is labor-intensive and disruptive, making it difficult to maintain up-to-date security measures, thereby increasing vulnerability to cyberattacks.

Performance Limitations

Lack of Horizontal Scaling

In the current monolithic architecture, enhancing performance is nearly impossible due to the inability to scale components horizontally. This limitation impacts both reliability and performance, as the system cannot efficiently distribute workload or improve responsiveness.

High Latency and Database Bottlenecks

Without an in-memory cache, high-latency database operations become a significant bottleneck. These operations are long-running and frequent, further hampering performance. Additionally, database operations are synchronous, leading to increased request-response round trip times (RTT) and slower application load times.

Conclusion

The monolithic architecture significantly impacts scalability, security, and performance. The hard coupling of components and inability to scale individual parts impede efficient scalability and maintainability. Outdated technology stacks and challenges in upgrading packages compromise security. Performance is hindered by the lack of horizontal scaling and high-latency database operations. To overcome these challenges, organizations should consider transitioning to modern, modular architectures that can better support their evolving needs and enhance overall system efficiency.