Containers and container-based development models are widely adopted technologies transforming application delivery. Kubernetes is a container orchestration platform that manages the above-mentioned containers. OpenShift is a Kubernetes-based platform from Red Hat; it is used across cloud, on-premises, and some edge deployments. However, OpenShift use cases are less documented compared to Kubernetes.
In this blog, you’ll learn about container technology, including OpenShift use cases and how it compares to Kubernetes and Docker.
What is OpenShift?
OpenShift is an open-source, cloud-enabled Kubernetes PaaS (Platform as a Service) offered by Red Hat. It enables businesses to shift their conventional application infrastructure and platform from physical and virtual environments to cloud. The platform is built using microservices architecture. The greatest asset of this technology is that it enables the rapid, more efficient development of cloud-enabled services. This is why myriad OpenShift use cases serve the IT, telecom, automotive, and other industries.
Benefits of Red Hat OpenShift
OpenShift allows organizations to host cloud applications without being tied to a specific operating system infrastructure. Below are more benefits of this tech.
- Self-service platform:Â Developers can easily build and deploy applications on demand through OpenShift’s self-service platform. Applications developed on the platform are packaged as containers that are lightweight and more portable.
- Organized framework: It makes IT operations more efficient by providing structured frameworks for faster application delivery. This does not affect the scalability and stability of the apps.
- All in one service: Businesses are always looking for vendors who can provide all the services they need. OpenShift provides Platform as a Service, Infrastructure as a Service, as well as middleware services, increasing interoperability.
- Accelerated DevOps: OpenShift makes DevOp processes easier by providing enterprises with a ready-to-use and efficiently set up container platform.
- Improved scalability: Application scalability has increased with the deployment of OpenShift containers.
OpenShift Use Cases to Check Out
Here are the most relevant OpenShift use cases that are reshaping business operations:
Implementing and Managing Cloud-Based ApplicationsÂ
OpenShift is a Kubernetes-based platform, making it perfect for implementing and managing cloud-based applications. Cloud-based applications are built on a microservices architecture. This increases the scalability and resilience of the applications.
Running Edge Computing ApplicationsÂ
Edge computing applications work at the edge of the network. The technology improves performance and reduces data latency, especially for applications that require real-time data access and results.
Building and Implementing Data-Heavy ApplicationsÂ
The platform supports various options for storing data, making it convenient to build and implement data-heavy applications.
Running Mission-Critical ApplicationsÂ
The platform has built-in security features and high availability capabilities. Thus, it is a perfect platform for running mission-critical applications that can’t afford to stop functioning.
Upgrading Legacy ApplicationsÂ
Containerizing legacy applications makes them more portable and scalable. Hence, this platform can be used to upgrade legacy applications.
OpenShift vs Kubernetes vs Docker
We now know about OpenShift technology. Let us understand Kubernetes and Docker before comparing them with this platform.
What is Kubernetes?Â
Kubernetes is an open-source container orchestration platform for deploying, scaling, and managing containerized applications across cloud and on-premise environments. It operates on private, public, hybrid, and on-premise clouds.
What is Docker?Â
Docker is an open-source platform for running and packaging applications in containers. The platform provides facilities for building, testing, shipping, deploying, and maintaining containerized applications.
Comparing OpenShift with Kubernetes and Docker
Features |
OpenShift |
Kubernetes |
Docker |
| Frameworks | Can be deployed anywhere but needs Red Hat’s Enterprise Linux, Atomic Host, Fedora, or CoreOS. | Runs on almost all platforms, including cloud and any Linux system. | Supports most platforms, including public and private clouds, on-premises, and edge services. Windows and Linux servers support the building, testing, and deployment phases for desktop. |
| Updates | Needs to be updated multiple times a year and does not support multiple updates at once. Updates happen manually through the Red Hat Enterprise Linux management system. | Updates are released multiple times each year. Supports multiple, simultaneous, and rolling updates. Run the kubeadm upgrade command to update. | Multiple updates are available each year and supports rolling updates. To update, use the Docker service update command. |
| CI/CD Integration | Jenkins with source-to-image support. Also supports third-party CI/CD tools. | No built-in CI/CD integration but supports third-party tools. | No built-in CI/CD integration. Supports third-party tools like Jenkins, CircleCI, TeamCity, etc. |
| Security | Contains built-in encryption for configuring application data, platform secrets, and provisions to secure-by-default. | Authorization and authentication need to be set up manually. | Contains built-in security systems such as control groups, kernel namespaces, and support for hardening techniques like SELinux, GRSEC, and AppArmor. |
Benefits of OpenShift on AWS
Red Hat OpenShift Service on AWS (ROSA) is a managed service that enables you to build, deploy, and scale containerized applications using the OpenShift Kubernetes platform on AWS. ROSA streamlines the migration of on-premises Red Hat OpenShift workloads to AWS and enables secure integration with other AWS services.
These are the main benefits of deploying OpenShift on AWS:
- Wide availability:Â AWS data centers are available worldwide. ROSA leverages AWS’s global infrastructure, ensuring the hosted applications are resilient in the face of hardware failures.
- Access to AWS services:Â AWS services such as databases, storage, security, and networking are useful tools from AWS’s service portfolio. These tools can be integrated with OpenShift’s container orchestration layer.
- Automation of containerized applications:Â The OpenShift Kubernetes orchestration engine automates the deployment, management, and scaling of containerized applications. Developers can spend their time building and improving their applications instead of handling infrastructure issues.
- Architectural flexibility: Businesses can tailor the infrastructure according to the application’s specific requirements. For example, Amazon RDS for databases, Amazon S3 for storage, Amazon EC2 for virtual machines, etc.
Final Takeaway
60% of global enterprises have already adopted Kubernetes. Although Kubernetes offers several features, it must be configured manually and can take significant time to set up. On the other hand, OpenShift not only offers more features, but it is also easier to set up.
Containerizing legacy applications to modernize them across cloud environments and automating the building, testing, and deployment of CI/CD pipelines are key OpenShift use cases. The platform enables faster, safer, and more reliable development and deployment of applications.
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FAQs
1. Can OpenShift and Kubernetes be deployed together?
Answer: Yes, they can be deployed together. OpenShift is Kubernetes-based. Hence, it automatically supports all Kubernetes operations and APIs.
2. Does OpenShift support Docker images?
Answer: Yes. Even though OpenShift supports a Kubernetes-based architecture, Docker images can still be deployed seamlessly.
3. What runtime system does OpenShift use?
Answer: The Red Hat OpenShift platform uses Container Runtime Interface – Open Container Initiative (CRI-O) as its runtime.
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