Why is vertical scaling considered a long-term solution only when necessary?

Vertical scaling, also referred to as "scaling up," involves enhancing the capacity of a single server by adding resources such as CPU, RAM, or storage. This method is generally deemed a long-term solution only when necessary because of its implications on costs and system availability.

When a business relies on vertical scaling, it often faces increased expenses associated with upgrading to more powerful hardware or components. These upgrades can be costly and can escalate quickly as the server demands grow to handle more workloads. Additionally, vertical scaling frequently results in downtime, as the server may need to be taken offline for upgrades. This downtime can affect service availability and negatively impact customer experience.

In contrast, horizontal scaling, which involves adding more servers to distribute the load, allows for more adaptable growth and is generally more cost-effective for long-term scalability. By recognizing that vertical scaling is best reserved for specific situations where resource upgrades are essential and when the business clearly understands the associated costs and risks, organizations can better navigate their scalability strategies in the cloud infrastructure.