Alexis Kestler
Hey there! Container orchestration tools like Kubernetes and Red Hat OpenShift have exploded in popularity for deploying and managing containerized apps.
As an industry insider, I‘ve used both extensively. In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll dive deep on the key differences between OpenShift and Kubernetes to help you decide which solution best fits your needs.
Stay tuned for an in-depth look at architecture, features, use cases and more. Let‘s get started!
A Brief History
First, a quick background on what exactly Kubernetes and OpenShift are all about.
The Origin of Kubernetes
Kubernetes originated inside Google in the early 2000s as an internal system named Borg. Based on those learnings, Google publicly launched Kubernetes as an open source project in 2014.
It quickly became the most widely used orchestration platform with 84% market share according to StackRox. The Cloud Native Computing Foundation now hosts Kubernetes with over 1800 contributing companies including Google, Red Hat, AWS and Microsoft.
A key strength of Kubernetes is its highly configurable modular architecture. With great flexibility comes complexity, which is why many turn to platforms like OpenShift to simplify Kubernetes for their needs.
Red Hat Builds OpenShift
Red Hat OpenShift originated as early as 2011, making it one of the first Container as a Service (CaaS) platforms. Red Hat acquired the OpenShift project and first open sourced it in 2012.
The OpenShift architecture builds on top of Kubernetes to provide management, security, and deployment tools targeted at enterprise application development. Adoption has grown rapidly with revenue from OpenShift subscriptions doubling each year since 2020.
So in summary, Kubernetes provides the core orchestration engine while OpenShift simplifies and extends it for enterprise usage. Now let‘s look under the hood.
Architectural Differences
Both Kubernetes and OpenShift follow a client-server architecture, but there are some key differences:
Kubernetes Architecture
The main Kubernetes components include:
- API server – Frontend for all user interaction
- etcd – Data store containing cluster state and config
- Kubelet – Agent that runs on each node
- Container runtime – Software like Docker that runs containers
- Controller – Brain monitoring and adjusting cluster to match desired state
Kubernetes is built for loose coupling between components. This provides flexibility but requires expertise to operate properly.
OpenShift Architecture
In addition to pure upstream Kubernetes, OpenShift adds:
- Extended APIs – To support additional functionality
- CRI-O container runtime – Optimized for Kubernetes
- OpenShift controllers – Automate deployments and lifecycle
- Web console – Browser UI for managing cluster
- Operator SDK – Framework to extend Kubernetes native APIs
- OAuth authentication – Provides enhanced security
These enhancements simplify Kubernetes for an enterprise environment. Next let‘s see how that impacts features.
Comparing Key Capabilities
OpenShift and Kubernetes differ in areas like deployment, security, support and more. Let‘s analyze the key differences.
Deployment and Management
Kubernetes deployments are complex, requiring significant expertise. OpenShift aims to simplify Kubernetes management.
Kubernetes Deployment
- Very flexible but requires expertise
- Must manually configure each component
- Steeper learning curve for new users
OpenShift Deployment
- Simplified installation with Ansible playbooks
- Image streams for easier container deployment
- Automatic Source-to-Image workflows
- Intuitive web console UI for controlling cluster
- Lower learning curve for beginners
Conclusion
OpenShift reduces the complexity and ramp up time to get Kubernetes successfully deployed and managed within an enterprise.
Flexibility and Portability
Given Kubernetes is open source, it provides more flexibility in terms of customization and supported platforms.
Kubernetes Flexibility
- Runs on all major public clouds, private clouds, bare metal
- Can be highly customized based on open source code
- Supports any language for writing extensions
- Integrates with many third party tools
OpenShift Flexibility
- Currently only runs on Red Hat distros and related Linux OSs
- Somewhat more opinionated architecture
- Primarily supports integration with other Red Hat products
- Less customization flexibility
Conclusion
Kubernetes provides more cross-platform flexibility and customization freedom. OpenShift trades some flexibility for a simplified out-of-the-box experience.
Scalability
Both Kubernetes and OpenShift can scale to support large clusters with thousands of nodes.
Kubernetes Scalability
- Manual scaling possible but requires expertise
- Leverage community guides for large clusters
- Flexible horizontal scaling across platforms
OpenShift Scalability
- Installers and Ansible playbooks simplify scaling
- Seamless scaling within supported Red Hat distros
- Currently less flexibility across platforms
Conclusion
Kubernetes provides cross-platform scaling flexibility. OpenShift offers simplified scaling within supported RHEL-based OSs.
Security
Security is critical when running containers in production. Both provide capabilities here but OpenShift includes more built-in features.
Kubernetes Security
- Role-based access control (RBAC)
- Secrets management
- Network policies for traffic control
- TLS for encrypting connections
OpenShift Security
- OAuth token authentication
- Image signing and verification
- Restricted SCC policies
- Tighter network controls
- TLS enabled by default
- Integrated monitoring and logging
Conclusion
OpenShift has more security capabilities out-of-the-box while Kubernetes requires additional configuration and hardening for production use.
Support and Community
Given its open source heritage, Kubernetes benefits from a huge community while OpenShift offers commercial support from Red Hat.
Kubernetes Support
- Vibrant open source community provides support
- Active developer forums and documentation
- Optional vendor and third-party support
OpenShift Support
- Developer forums and documentation
- Formal customer support from Red Hat
- Certified administrator training programs
Conclusion
Kubernetes aligns with open source community-based support models. OpenShift provides commercial support from Red Hat.
Learning Curve
OpenShift is regarded as easier for beginners while Kubernetes has a steeper initial learning curve.
Kubernetes Learning
- Advanced skills needed in Linux, networking, orchestration
- Must master many complex components
- Troubleshooting challenges as a new user
OpenShift Learning
- Streamlined abstractions and interfaces
- Opinionated configurations guide users
- More beginner-friendly overall
Conclusion
OpenShift simplifies many complex tasks that require expertise with Kubernetes.
Pricing Considerations
Given its open source nature, Kubernetes has minimal licensing costs although enterprise support does cost money. OpenShift requires a paid Red Hat subscription.
Kubernetes Pricing
- 100% open source so you only pay for optional enterprise support
- Minimal costs to use base software
OpenShift Pricing
- Must purchase Red Hat subscription
- Premium over open source Kubernetes
Conclusion
OpenShift carries licensing costs given its enterprise extensions while Kubernetes is freely available.
Summary of Key Differences
Here is a summary table outlining the major differences between Kubernetes and OpenShift:
| Kubernetes | OpenShift | |
|---|---|---|
| Created By | Cloud Native Computing Foundation | Red Hat |
| Architecture | Pure upstream Kubernetes | Kubernetes plus enterprise extensions |
| Deployment | Manual configuration required | Simplified deployment opinionated for enterprise |
| Flexibility | Very flexible open source | Less flexible but more turnkey |
| Scalability | Flexible but manual scaling | Simplified scaling within supported OSs |
| Security | Moderate capabilities via addons | More built-in security capabilities |
| Support | Open source community-based | Commercial support from Red Hat |
| Learning Curve | Steeper, requires expertise | More beginner friendly |
| Licensing | 100% open source | Red Hat paid subscription required |
When Should You Use Kubernetes vs OpenShift?
Based on their strengths and differences, when should you choose between Kubernetes vs OpenShift? Here are my recommendations:
When Kubernetes is the Right Choice
- You value flexible open source customization
- Your team has strong container and Kubernetes expertise already
- You want to access a broader ecosystem of tools
- You want to minimize licensing costs
When to Choose OpenShift
- You want a simplified out-of-the-box enterprise solution
- Your team is new to containers and needs an easier ramp up
- You value built-in capabilities like security and management
- You want commercial support from Red Hat
The Bottom Line
Kubernetes is great for teams with container expertise seeking an open customizable platform. For teams wanting an easier turnkey enterprise experience, OpenShift is likely the better option.
Both provide powerful orchestration capabilities, so the decision depends on whether open source flexibility or a streamlined enterprise platform is more important for your needs.
The Last Word
Thank you for joining me on this deep dive comparison of Kubernetes vs OpenShift! As you can see, both provide robust orchestration for container-based applications using similar core capabilities.
Key factors in choosing between them are how much you value open source flexibility vs a simplified enterprise experience, and whether your team has existing container expertise vs needing an easier onboarding.
I hope this guide has shed light on the strengths of each platform and how to decide which is a better fit. Feel free to reach out if you have any other questions!
