Project Inception
Choosing a hosting platform
Overview
When starting a new service, one of the first decisions is where to host it. The Ministry of Justice offers two main hosting platforms:
Cloud Platform (recommended default)
Use Cloud Platform if your application:
- Can be containerised (Docker)
- Is stateless and follows 12-factor app principles
- Needs Kubernetes features (auto-scaling, zero-downtime deploys)
- Doesn't require PSN connectivity
Modernisation Platform
Use Modernisation Platform if your application:
- Cannot be containerised
- Needs EC2 instances or non-Kubernetes infrastructure
- Requires PSN connectivity
- Is a legacy application being migrated
Decision tree
- Can your app run in a container? → Yes → Cloud Platform
- Does it need PSN? → Yes → Modernisation Platform
- Is it a legacy app? → Consider Modernisation Platform for initial hosting, with a plan to migrate to Cloud Platform
Getting started
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