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Kubernetes vs OpenShift: Guide to Choosing the Right Container Platform

29 Oct 2024 Technology No Comments
Kubernetes vs OpenShift

As businesses increasingly adopt containerization for application deployment, choosing the right orchestration platform becomes a critical decision. Two of the most popular platforms that dominate this space are Kubernetes and OpenShift. While both platforms provide powerful tools to manage and orchestrate containers, they differ in terms of features, ease of use, security, and deployment models.

Choosing between Kubernetes vs OpenShift can significantly impact your organization’s scalability, flexibility, and operational efficiency. Making the right choice depends on understanding how these platforms differ and align with your specific needs.

In this article, we will provide a detailed comparison between Kubernetes and OpenShift, examining their core features, architectural components, security models, and more. By the end, you will have a clear understanding of when to choose Kubernetes or OpenShift for your organization’s container orchestration needs.

 

What is Kubernetes?

Kubernetes is an open-source container orchestration platform designed to automate the deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications. Initially developed by Google, Kubernetes has since become the industry standard for managing large clusters of containers. Its widespread adoption is largely due to its flexibility, open-source community support, and scalability.

Core Features of Kubernetes

Core Features of Kubernetes

  1. Automated Scheduling and Load Balancing: Kubernetes automatically schedules containers based on resource requirements and availability, ensuring optimal use of resources across nodes.
  2. Self-Healing: It has built-in self-healing mechanisms that restart failed containers, replace them, and even kill containers that do not respond to user-defined health checks.
  3. Scalability: Kubernetes supports both horizontal scaling (adding more containers) and vertical scaling (increasing the capacity of existing containers), making it highly scalable for large workloads.
  4. Service Discovery and Load Balancing: Kubernetes provides internal DNS services that automatically map IP addresses to containers, simplifying service discovery.
  5. Storage Orchestration: It automatically mounts and allocates storage resources to the required containers, whether it is local storage, cloud-based storage, or network storage.
  6. Role-Based Access Control (RBAC): Kubernetes offers advanced security through RBAC policies that control which users or systems have access to specific resources.

Popular Use Cases of Kubernetes

Popular Use Cases of Kubernetes

  • Multi-Cloud Deployments: Kubernetes excels in hybrid and multi-cloud environments, allowing businesses to seamlessly manage applications across cloud providers.
  • Microservices Architecture: It is often used for microservices because it can efficiently manage independent services that communicate within a cluster.
  • Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery (CI/CD): Kubernetes integrates easily with CI/CD pipelines, allowing for automated testing, building, and deployment of applications.

 

What is OpenShift?

OpenShift is a Kubernetes-based container platform developed by Red Hat. While it uses Kubernetes as its core, OpenShift offers additional built-in features, simplifying many of the complexities that come with running Kubernetes in production. It is particularly known for its developer-friendly tools and enterprise-grade features, making it a popular choice for organizations that need comprehensive support for DevOps and CI/CD pipelines.

Core Features of OpenShift

  1. Built-in CI/CD Pipelines: OpenShift comes with integrated support for CI/CD pipelines, primarily through its built-in Jenkins integration and other DevOps tools.
  2. Source-to-Image (S2I): This feature enables developers to build and deploy applications directly from the source code, reducing the complexity of containerizing applications.
  3. Enterprise-Grade Security: OpenShift provides advanced security features, including image scanning, built-in network policies, and enhanced RBAC, ensuring compliance with stringent enterprise security requirements.
  4. Integrated Developer Tools: OpenShift includes various developer tools, such as OpenShift CLI and an easy-to-use web console, simplifying the container management process for developers.
  5. Multi-Cloud and Hybrid Cloud Support: OpenShift is designed to run seamlessly across on-premise, private, and public cloud environments.
  6. Red Hat Enterprise Linux CoreOS (RHCOS): OpenShift runs on a specialized operating system, providing tight integration between the container runtime and the underlying OS for better performance and security.

 

Popular Use Cases of OpenShift

  • Enterprise DevOps: OpenShift is designed with enterprise DevOps in mind, making it an ideal platform for organizations that want to implement CI/CD pipelines and improve software delivery efficiency.
  • Security-Sensitive Environments: Thanks to its built-in security features, OpenShift is widely used in sectors that require strict security compliance, such as finance, healthcare, and government.
  • Hybrid Cloud Deployments: With support for both on-premise and cloud environments, OpenShift is frequently used in hybrid cloud strategies.

 

Kubernetes vs OpenShift: A Detailed Comparison

Now that we have covered the basics of both platforms, let us dive into the key differences between Kubernetes and OpenShift. Below, we will compare these platforms across critical categories like architecture, ease of use, security, deployment, scalability, and more.

Kubernetes vs OpenShift: Architecture and Components

Both Kubernetes and OpenShift use containerized applications, but they differ in their architecture and additional components.

  • Kubernetes Architecture: Kubernetes follows a modular architecture, consisting of a master node and worker nodes. The master node runs the API server, scheduler, and controller manager, which manage the cluster’s state and deployment. Worker nodes host the actual containers.
  • OpenShift Architecture: OpenShift builds upon Kubernetes by integrating additional features like Source-to-Image (S2I), OpenShift Router, and OpenShift Console, making the platform more robust and easier to manage for enterprises. It uses Red Hat Enterprise Linux CoreOS (RHCOS) as the underlying OS for nodes, ensuring optimal performance and security.
Feature Kubernetes OpenShift
Container Runtime Supports Docker, CRI-O, containerd Uses CRI-O by default, but also supports Docker
Operating System No specific OS; runs on any OS supporting containers Uses RHCOS, providing a more secure and integrated experience
Add-ons Requires add-ons for additional functionality Comes with built-in tools like Jenkins for CI/CD, and Source-to-Image (S2I) for easier app deployment

 

Kubernetes vs OpenShift: Ease of Use

Both platforms provide robust tools, but OpenShift simplifies many of Kubernetes’ complexities by providing built-in tools and an intuitive web console.

  • Kubernetes: Kubernetes offers flexibility and scalability but requires more manual configuration and third-party integrations to set up tools like CI/CD pipelines or image repositories.
  • OpenShift: OpenShift offers a more user-friendly experience with its integrated web console, developer tools, and pre-configured CI/CD integrations, making it easier for teams with limited Kubernetes expertise.
Aspect Kubernetes OpenShift
Web Console Not included by default Fully integrated, user-friendly
Developer Tools Requires third-party tools integration Built-in developer tools

 

Kubernetes vs OpenShift: Security

When it comes to security, both Kubernetes and OpenShift offer robust security features, but OpenShift includes more enterprise-focused, built-in security capabilities from the start.

  • Kubernetes Security: Kubernetes uses Role-Based Access Control (RBAC), network policies, and supports container security solutions through third-party integrations. However, the platform relies heavily on add-ons and custom configurations to fully secure the environment. This allows for flexibility but often requires advanced knowledge and manual effort.
  • OpenShift Security: OpenShift takes Kubernetes security to the next level with built-in security policies, automatic image scanning, integrated RBAC, and network isolation by default. OpenShift also uses Security Context Constraints (SCC) to control permissions for pods, adding an extra layer of protection. Its Red Hat Enterprise Linux CoreOS (RHCOS) provides additional OS-level security features, making OpenShift a more secure option for enterprises that prioritize compliance and regulatory requirements.
Security Feature Kubernetes OpenShift
RBAC Requires manual configuration Built-in and pre-configured with granular permissions
Image Scanning Needs third-party tools Built-in image scanning to detect vulnerabilities
Security Context Limited default controls Advanced Security Context Constraints (SCC) for pod-level security
Network Policies Requires setup Default network policies and isolation
Compliance Requires additional tools for compliance certification Built-in compliance and security certifications

 

Kubernetes vs OpenShift: Deployment and Management

In terms of deployment and management, Kubernetes and OpenShift take different approaches.

  • Kubernetes Deployment: Kubernetes is highly flexible but requires significant manual setup for deployment and management. For organizations with highly skilled DevOps teams, Kubernetes offers complete control over configuration, but this can be complex for beginners. It supports Helm Charts, a package manager that helps streamline the deployment process but requires additional configuration.
  • OpenShift Deployment: OpenShift simplifies deployment with features like Source-to-Image (S2I), which allows applications to be deployed directly from the source code. This makes OpenShift particularly developer-friendly. Additionally, OpenShift integrates Jenkins for CI/CD pipelines, which are crucial for automated testing and deployment. Its user-friendly web console also reduces the complexity of managing and deploying containers, even for those with limited Kubernetes expertise.
Aspect Kubernetes OpenShift
Helm Support Requires manual setup Supports Helm but uses Source-to-Image (S2I) for simpler deployment
CI/CD Integration Manual configuration with Jenkins or other tools Built-in Jenkins integration for automated pipelines
Web Console Not available by default Fully integrated, making deployment and management easier

 

Kubernetes vs OpenShift: Scalability and Flexibility

Scalability is one of the strengths of both Kubernetes and OpenShift, but there are some differences in how they approach scaling and flexibility.

  • Kuber netes Scalability: Kubernetes is known for its extreme scalability and is often chosen by organizations that manage large, complex microservices architectures or operate in multi-cloud environments. Kubernetes can scale both horizontally (by adding more containers) and vertically (by increasing container capacity), making it highly adaptable to large workloads.
  • OpenShift Scalability: OpenShift builds on Kubernetes’ scalability but adds enterprise-grade tools for managing large-scale clusters. Auto-scaling is built into OpenShift, and it supports multi-cloud deployments just like Kubernetes. However, OpenShift focuses on simplifying the scaling process through its integrated management tools, making it ideal for organizations that need powerful, yet easy-to-manage scaling.
Aspect Kubernetes OpenShift
Horizontal Scaling Highly scalable across large clusters Equally scalable with simplified management tools
Multi-cloud Support Excellent support for multi-cloud environments Built-in support for hybrid and multi-cloud deployments
Auto-scaling Manual configuration required Built-in auto-scaling features

 

Kubernetes vs OpenShift: Support and Ecosystem

When it comes to enterprise support and ecosystem, OpenShift provides more out-of-the-box support compared to Kubernetes, which often requires more external tools and add-ons to function in large-scale enterprise environments.

  • Kubernetes Support: Kubernetes is backed by a large open-source community and has extensive third-party tool support. While it does not come with enterprise-grade support by default, organizations can purchase support from providers like Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE), Amazon EKS, or Azure AKS. However, Kubernetes users often rely on a combination of community resources and third-party vendors for assistance.
  • OpenShift Support: As a Red Hat product, OpenShift includes enterprise-level support out of the box. This means that organizations using OpenShift have access to 24/7 support, security patches, and regular updates, making it a safer choice for enterprises that need reliable, round-the-clock assistance. Additionally, the OpenShift ecosystem integrates deeply with other Red Hat products, such as Red Hat Ansible for automation and Red Hat CloudForms for cloud management.
Aspect Kubernetes OpenShift
Community Support Large open-source community Red Hat-backed with 24/7 enterprise support
Enterprise Support Available through third-party vendors Included with full enterprise-grade assistance
Tool Ecosystem Extensive support for third-party tools Deep integration with Red Hat’s enterprise tools

 

Kubernetes vs OpenShift: Pricing and Licensing

Pricing is a significant consideration when choosing between Kubernetes and OpenShift. While Kubernetes itself is open-source and free, the cost comes in managing the infrastructure, configuration, and third-party tools. On the other hand, OpenShift is a commercial product, and its cost depends on the licensing model.

  • Kubernetes Pricing: Kubernetes is free to use, but organizations often incur costs for the infrastructure, third-party integrations, and any external support services they need to deploy and maintain Kubernetes clusters. The cost of cloud resources or on-premise hardware must also be considered.
  • OpenShift Pricing: OpenShift is available as a commercial offering with a subscription-based model. This includes the cost of enterprise support, security features, and other built-in tools. The pricing varies depending on the number of nodes and the level of support required. While OpenShift is more expensive than Kubernetes, the additional features, enterprise support, and simplified management can save businesses money in terms of reduced operational overhead.
Aspect Kubernetes OpenShift
Cost Free, but with additional infrastructure costs Subscription-based, includes enterprise support
Licensing No licensing fee Commercial licensing model
Support and Maintenance External costs for third-party support Built into the subscription cost

When to Choose Kubernetes

Kubernetes is the ideal platform for organizations that have the expertise to manage complex infrastructures and want complete control over their container orchestration. Here are some scenarios where Kubernetes is the best fit:

  • You need extreme scalability: Kubernetes is built for large-scale deployments and can manage thousands of containers across multiple environments.
  • You require flexibility: Kubernetes provides a flexible platform for configuring and integrating third-party tools, making it perfect for teams that want to customize their infrastructure.
  • You operate in a multi-cloud environment: Kubernetes is the go-to choice for organizations managing applications across multiple cloud providers.

Example Use Case: A large enterprise running a microservices architecture across Google Cloud, AWS, and on-premise infrastructure can benefit from Kubernetes’ seamless multi-cloud support.

 

When to Choose OpenShift

OpenShift is better suited for enterprises that need a developer-friendly platform with built-in security and enterprise support. It simplifies many of Kubernetes’ complexities and is ideal for businesses that prioritize security and ease of use.

  • You want built-in CI/CD integration: OpenShift’s Jenkins integration makes it a great choice for organizations that need automated pipelines.
  • You need enterprise-level support: If your organization values 24/7 support, security, and regular updates, OpenShift offers this out of the box.
  • You are focused on DevOps: OpenShift’s tools are designed with DevOps in mind, making it easier to build, test, and deploy applications quickly.

Example Use Case: A financial services company requiring high-security standards and an efficient CI/CD pipeline for rapid software delivery would find OpenShift a perfect fit.

 

Conclusion

In conclusion, choosing between Kubernetes vs OpenShift depends on your organization’s needs. Kubernetes offers flexibility, scalability, and extensive community support, making it ideal for large, tech-savvy organizations. On the other hand, OpenShift provides a more integrated, user-friendly platform with enterprise-grade security and support, making it the go-to choice for enterprises prioritizing ease of use and compliance.

For businesses trying to decide between Kubernetes and OpenShift, it is important to assess the scale, security requirements, and development needs. Both platforms offer powerful tools for container orchestration, but the right choice depends on the specific goals of your organization.

If you are still unsure which platform is the best fit for your container orchestration needs, contact Shadhin Lab LLC for expert consultation on cloud-native architecture, DevOps solutions, and more.

Ready to optimize your container orchestration? Contact Shadhin Lab LLC for a free consultation and discover how Kubernetes or OpenShift can drive your organization’s digital transformation.

FAQs

1. What are the key differences between Kubernetes and OpenShift?

The primary difference between Kubernetes and OpenShift is that Kubernetes is an open-source container orchestration platform, while OpenShift is a Kubernetes-based platform with additional features tailored for enterprise environments. OpenShift includes built-in developer tools, security features like Source-to-Image (S2I), Jenkins CI/CD integration, and enterprise-level support. Kubernetes, on the other hand, requires more manual configuration and third-party tools for similar functionality.

2. Which platform is more secure: Kubernetes or OpenShift?

While both Kubernetes and OpenShift provide strong security features, OpenShift is generally considered more secure out-of-the-box. OpenShift comes with built-in security policies, automatic image scanning, and Security Context Constraints (SCC) to enforce pod-level security. Kubernetes also offers Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) and network policies, but securing the environment often requires additional configuration and third-party tools, making OpenShift more attractive for enterprises that prioritize security compliance.

3. Is Kubernetes or OpenShift better for enterprise CI/CD pipelines?

OpenShift is typically better suited for enterprise CI/CD pipelines due to its built-in Jenkins integration and automated Source-to-Image (S2I) feature, which simplifies the process of building and deploying applications. Kubernetes, while flexible and powerful, does not come with pre-configured CI/CD tools, so users must set up their own pipeline infrastructure, often relying on third-party tools like Jenkins, GitLab CI, or Tekton.

Ashikul Islam

Shadhin Lab LLC.229 West 36th Street, New York, NY 10018, USA.

Shadhin Technologies Ltd.Riajbag, Road-6, Rampura, Dhaka – 1219, Bangladesh.