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In this article, we explore the traditional method of deploying cloud infrastructure, discuss its limitations, and introduce a more robust alternative. This traditional approach, known as ClickOps (Click Operations), relies on manually creating and managing cloud resources using a web-based console. Below, we explain the process using the Amazon Web Services (AWS) console as an example.
The image shows an AWS S3 interface for creating a new bucket, with options to set the AWS region and bucket name.
Using this graphical interface, administrators can define and deploy resources as part of their Infrastructure as Code (IaC) practices. Let’s walk through a demonstration of deploying an S3 bucket using ClickOps.

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Deploying an S3 Bucket via ClickOps

To begin, log in to the AWS console using your credentials. Once authenticated, you can follow these steps to create an S3 bucket. S3 (Simple Storage Service) provides scalable storage for storing files that can be uploaded and shared over the internet, making it ideal for hosting static web pages and more. Follow these steps to create an S3 bucket:
  1. Navigate to the S3 Service.
  2. Define a Bucket Name: For this demonstration, we use console-demo-bucket-1.
It is recommended to append a random number or your account ID (e.g., “1234”) to ensure global uniqueness.
  1. Configure Settings: Adjust the settings such as region and bucket properties as needed.
Below is the AWS console interface used during bucket creation:
The image shows the AWS S3 console interface for creating a new bucket, with options for general configuration, including region, bucket type, and bucket name.
After creating the first bucket, you might upload static files for a website or set up additional buckets. For instance, a second bucket named bucket-2 might be created and tagged (e.g., with env=dev) to clearly indicate that it is a development resource.

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Limitations of ClickOps

While the manual ClickOps process may appear straightforward, it comes with several challenges:
Challenge DescriptionImpact
Time-Consuming and Error-ProneManually configuring each resource increases the risk of mistakes.
Inconsistent ReproducibilityReplicating identical environments for development, staging, or production is difficult.
Poor Visibility and AuditingTracking who made changes, when they were made, and what was modified can be cumbersome.
These limitations can undermine auditability and scalability, especially in larger or dynamic environments.
The image outlines three challenges of manual infrastructure deployment: it is time-consuming and error-prone, difficult to reproduce consistently, and has poor visibility and auditing.
Relying solely on ClickOps can create significant issues in maintaining and scaling your cloud infrastructure due to its inherent risks of human error and configuration inconsistencies.
The challenges outlined above highlight the need for an automated and code-driven approach to infrastructure deployment, which will be discussed in the subsequent sections of this guide.

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