Comparative overview of the software packages OpenShift and Kubernetes

OpenShift® from Red Hat is an open-source container platform that utilises Kubernetes and the Red Hat enterprise Linux operating system. Because it combines a variety of services within the platform for enterprise businesses, the product is frequently referred to as a “Platform as a Service” (PaaS). This includes Docker container images and the Kubernetes platform. Additionally, it has extra features that are only available on the OpenShift enterprise platform.

Another open-source container orchestration platform is Kubernetes. For better deployment and scalability, it enables developers to better control, manage, and maintain software processing workloads.

The main distinction between the two platforms is that the OpenShift container platform incorporates the platform and features of Kubernetes (as well as Docker features). However, Kubernetes is a stand-alone option with its own particular Kubernetes dashboard and excludes OpenShift services.

Additionally, despite the fact that both programmes are open-source, OpenShift is a platform service from Red Hat that costs money, whereas Kubernetes open-source code is a service that is available for free download from GitHub.

It’s important to know that Kubernetes-as-a-Service (KaaS) providers offer paid enterprise-grade deployment and managed Kubernetes services because there may be some confusion regarding this distinction. With cloud service providers like IBM, Amazon Web Services (AWS), or Microsoft Azure, these providers frequently offer managed integration services.

Businesses can create, test, and deploy applications more quickly thanks to Kubernetes distribution and deployment for software applications.

The following are some of Kubernetes’ essential features:

• Tools for CI/CD pipelines that offer the Docker registry, Kubernetes clusters, and visual version control systems
• the capacity to build and maintain storage both locally and in the cloud
• Automated roll-outs and roll-backs for Kubernetes ingress provisions, an API-based feature that balances resource load and routes access from external users
• Application creation, testing, deployment, and monitoring standardisation
• On the Linux distribution package’s availability
• Installation simplicity and accessibility

You might consider Kubernetes to be the best choice for DevOps because it allows for more precise command-line controls when configuring and modifying application templates. Kubernetes might be viewed as a more complete option for deploymentconfig and numerous controllers, such as replication and namespace controllers.

Features of OpenShift

OpenShift is a Linux-based cloud-based platform for container orchestration that has a number of extra features and access controls that some companies might find more crucial.

Better scaling and efficiency for cloud-based development on IBM, Amazon, and other enterprise cloud services are supported by the platform.

The following are some of OpenShift’s key features:

• Standardized CI/CD pipeline definitions facilitate integration and scaling.
• includes built-in automation tools for containers
• offers “kubect1” in addition to “oc” in the Kubernetes command line interface (CLI). The OpenShift CLI
• Due to its simple compatibility with most cloud platforms, OpenShift has established itself as a crucial building block for the creation of applications.
• enables simple cloud migration of container applications

Key distinctions between OpenShift and Kubernetes

Both Kubernetes and OpenShift, at their core, can be deployed and run on local and public cloud environments to improve end user experience. But the most important factors for business are the fundamental differences.

Support: OpenShift is a product that includes customer service; Kubernetes, as an open-source project, does not. If you need more support and more practical advice, choose OpenShift. It is crucial to remember that organisations that provide managed services, like Haproxy or RBAC, do indeed offer these kinds of services. Additionally, whereas Kubernetes is third-party integrative, OpenShift provides out-of-the-box plug-in network solutions.

Security: OpenShift provides fewer configuration options and features. This is supported by OpenShift’s emphasis on tighter security measures.

Web console: In order to use the web UI for Kubernetes, additional authentication steps must be taken. To manage cluster roles and projects visually, OpenShift offers a login-based console.

Templates: Kubernetes Helm, which is known to be easier to use, offers more templates than Kubernetes.