OpenShift
is a cloud computing platform that provides containerization, orchestration,
and application deployment capabilities. Developed by Red Hat, OpenShift is
built on top of Kubernetes, making it an enterprise-ready solution for
container-based application development and deployment. This blog post will
provide an overview of OpenShift, high level Architecture, key features, discuss its benefits, OpenShift v Kubernetes highlight the
prerequisites for adopting OpenShift, and outline an implementation plan for
successful deployment.
What
is OpenShift?
OpenShift
is a platform-as-a-service (PaaS) solution that allows developers to build,
deploy, and manage applications using container technologies such as Docker and
Kubernetes. It provides a container runtime environment, automates application
scaling, and facilitates continuous integration and delivery (CI/CD) pipelines.
OpenShift abstracts away the underlying infrastructure complexities and offers
a streamlined experience for developing and deploying containerized
applications.
OpenShift
Architecture:
Master-Node
Architecture: OpenShift follows a master-node architecture, where the master
node manages and orchestrates the entire cluster.
Key
Components: The architecture includes components such as the API server, etcd,
controllers, schedulers, and worker nodes running container runtimes.
Key
Features of OpenShift:
Container
Orchestration: OpenShift leverages Kubernetes for container orchestration,
providing features like deployment management, scaling, and load balancing.
Developer
Tools and Workflows: OpenShift offers an extensive set of developer tools,
including integrated IDEs, code repositories, and CI/CD pipelines.
Source-to-Image
(S2I): OpenShift's S2I simplifies the process of building and deploying
applications by automatically creating container images from source code.
Application
Lifecycle Management: OpenShift provides tools for managing the complete
lifecycle of applications, including versioning, rolling updates, and scaling.
Multi-Cloud
and Hybrid Deployment: OpenShift supports deployment across multiple cloud
providers and on-premises environments, offering flexibility and portability.
OpenShift
Benefits:
Scalability
and Agility: OpenShift enables automatic scaling of applications based on
demand, ensuring optimal resource utilization and responsiveness. It simplifies
the process of deploying applications across multiple environments and speeds
up the application development lifecycle.
DevOps
Integration: OpenShift promotes collaboration between development and
operations teams through its seamless integration with CI/CD tools and
automation frameworks. It supports version control systems, continuous
integration servers, and artifact repositories, facilitating a smooth DevOps
workflow.
Container
Orchestration: Built on Kubernetes, OpenShift provides advanced container
orchestration capabilities. It handles container scheduling, load balancing,
and self-healing, ensuring high availability and fault tolerance for
applications.
Security
and Governance: OpenShift incorporates robust security features such as image
scanning, role-based access control (RBAC), and network policies. It supports
compliance requirements and offers a secure platform for hosting applications
and data.
Multi-Cloud
and Hybrid Deployment: OpenShift supports deployment across various cloud
providers, on-premises data centers, and hybrid cloud environments. This
flexibility allows organizations to leverage different infrastructures while
maintaining consistent application management and deployment processes.
OpenShift
vs. Kubernetes and added value.
User-Friendly
Interface: OpenShift provides a more user-friendly and intuitive interface,
simplifying the management of applications and clusters compared to the
command-line-oriented nature of Kubernetes.
Developer
Tools: OpenShift includes a rich set of developer tools, such as integrated
IDEs, source code repositories, and continuous integration/continuous
deployment (CI/CD) pipelines, making it easier for developers to build and
deploy applications.
Integrated
Build System: OpenShift's Source-to-Image (S2I) feature allows for automatic
building and deployment of applications from source code, streamlining the
development process and reducing manual configuration.
Enhanced
Security Features: OpenShift offers additional security features, including
built-in image scanning, role-based access control (RBAC), and network policies,
providing a secure platform for containerized applications.
Enterprise-Grade
Support: OpenShift is backed by Red Hat's enterprise support and offers
enterprise-grade features, such as high availability, scaling, and
multi-tenancy, making it suitable for large-scale production deployments.
Choosing
Between OpenShift and Kubernetes:
Use
Kubernetes If: If you require maximum customization, have extensive in-house
expertise, and prefer a more hands-on approach to managing your containerized
applications.
Use
OpenShift If: If you seek a more user-friendly experience, built-in developer
tools, enhanced security, and enterprise-grade support for managing and
deploying containerized applications.
OpenShift
builds upon the foundation of Kubernetes and provides added value through its
user-friendly interface, integrated developer tools, enhanced security
features, and enterprise-grade support. While Kubernetes offers extensive
customization and flexibility, OpenShift is a compelling choice for
organizations seeking a comprehensive and user-friendly container platform that
simplifies application development, deployment, and management. Consider your
specific requirements, expertise, and the level of support needed when choosing
between OpenShift and Kubernetes for your container orchestration needs.
OpenShift
Prerequisites:
Containerization
Knowledge: Familiarity with container technologies, specifically Docker and
Kubernetes, is essential to understanding OpenShift's underlying concepts and
effectively managing applications on the platform.
Infrastructure
Resources: Ensure the availability of suitable hardware or cloud resources to
host the OpenShift platform and the planned applications. Consider factors such
as compute, storage, and network requirements based on expected workloads.
System
Requirements: Verify that the target infrastructure meets the necessary
software and hardware requirements for installing and running OpenShift. This
includes sufficient CPU, memory, and storage capacities, as well as compatible
operating systems.
Network
and Security Considerations: Define the networking architecture, IP addressing,
and firewall rules required for OpenShift deployment. Implement appropriate security
measures, such as encryption and access control, to safeguard the platform and
applications.
OpenShift
Implementation Plan:
Define
Objectives: Clearly articulate the goals and outcomes expected from
implementing OpenShift, considering factors such as application modernization,
scalability, or faster time-to-market.
Assess
Application Landscape: Evaluate the existing applications and their
compatibility with containerization. Identify applications suitable for
migration to OpenShift and prioritize them based on business value and
complexity.
Infrastructure
Setup: Provision the required infrastructure, whether it is on-premises,
cloud-based, or a combination of both. Set up the necessary networking,
storage, and compute resources to support OpenShift deployment.
Install and Configure OpenShift: Follow the installation documentation provided by Red Hat to install OpenShift on the designated infrastructure. Configure the necessary components such as nodes, master instances, and networking settings.
Design
Application Architecture: Define the architecture for containerized
applications on OpenShift, including considerations such as service discovery,
load balancing, and data storage.
Several big organizations are using OpenShift for their containerization and cloud-native application deployment needs. Here are some notable examples:
IBM:
IBM has adopted OpenShift as the foundation for its cloud offerings, including
IBM Cloud Paks and IBM Cloud Kubernetes Service. They use OpenShift to provide
a secure and scalable platform for deploying containerized applications.
Accenture:
Accenture, a global professional services company, leverages OpenShift to
develop and deploy cloud-native applications for its clients. OpenShift helps
them accelerate application development and enable seamless deployment across
multiple environments.
Verizon:
Verizon, a leading telecommunications company, utilizes OpenShift to power its
5G Edge infrastructure. OpenShift enables Verizon to deploy and manage edge
computing workloads efficiently, delivering low-latency and high-performance
services.
ANZ
Bank: ANZ Bank, one of the largest banks in Australia and New Zealand, uses
OpenShift to modernize its application infrastructure. OpenShift helps ANZ Bank
streamline its application development processes, enhance scalability, and
enable faster time-to-market for new services.
Barclays:
Barclays, a multinational investment bank and financial services company,
leverages OpenShift to build and deploy cloud-native applications. OpenShift
enables Barclays to accelerate software delivery, improve operational
efficiency, and enhance developer productivity.
Volkswagen:
Volkswagen, the renowned automotive manufacturer, has embraced OpenShift to
develop and deploy applications for its connected vehicle ecosystem. OpenShift
helps Volkswagen manage and scale its application infrastructure while ensuring
high availability and security.
These
are just a few examples of big organizations that have adopted OpenShift to
modernize their application deployment and gain the benefits of
containerization and orchestration. OpenShift's flexibility, scalability, and
robust features make it an attractive choice for enterprises across various
industries.
