OpenShift is a RedHat Linux product and can only run on RedHat Atomic or Enterprise Linux (RHEL) for the commercial versions, and CentOS for the open-source version. On the contrary, Kubernetes is supported by most major cloud service providers like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud Platform, and can run on any Linux distribution. In short, Docker is used to containerize applications and Kubernetes is used to manage clusters of containers. Docker can run on its own while Kubernetes needs a container runtime in order to orchestrate.
OpenShift also incorporates strict regulatory and access control policies. When we compare Docker vs Kubernetes vs OpenShift, Kubernetes is the largest and most flexible among all. For instance, it can support over 5,000 nodes compared to 1000 nodes of Docker Swarm. With 30 containers for each node make the total containers count for Kubernetes is 0.3 Million compared to 30 thousand containers in Docker Swarm.
- Openshift is more of an abstraction layer on container orchestration .
- As a part of Red Hat’s project, it has a mix of features of both Kubernetes and Docker to serve as a potent tool.
- The need for understanding differences between OpenShift, Kubernetes, and Docker must be clarified to benefit from their capabilities.
- Kubernetes provides role-based access control (RBAC), Transport Layer Security (TLS) for API traffic, and API authentication and authorization which require complex setup.
- Networking is also a decisive part, Kubernetes inadequacy in networking solution make users install third-party plugins.
All these are done both with CLI and openshift dashboard which provides good user interface . Docker has docker swarm for container orchestration but lot of things has to be done manually without any user friendly interfaces . OpenShift container platform is built on top of Docker and Kubernetes. Hence, it is compatible with Docker images and can run containers created from them.
Whereas in OpenShift, you get a good paid support option for troubleshooting any issue with this Red Hat product subscription. With an OpenShift subscription, you can also manage the public, private and virtual infrastructure through Red Hat CloudForms. Kubernetes provides Ingress, which offers more options as it can be easily implemented on many different servers. Ingress provides more functionality than Router but is a comparatively new solution. Kubernetes lets you perform multiple upgrades, which can occur simultaneously.
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But, as I discuss above, softening that learning curve isn’t necessarily a good thing. Learning the OpenShift platform doesn’t give you a fundamental understanding of 12 Factor Applications, or the underlying intricacies of Kubernetes. That understanding, however hard-earned, can mean all the difference for organizations who want to achieve the true benefits of containerization. Practically, though, developing a fundamental understanding of 12 Factor Applications and really learning the underlying mechanisms and practices of Kubernetes is more valuable to organizations.
It becomes challenging to manage the container lifecycle with multiple containers running in parallel. That is why you need a container orchestration platform/tool to manage all the automated deployment, scaling, organizing, and management of containers. Both Docker and OpenShift are powerful tools that can help developers and IT teams run and manage containerized applications. Docker provides a simple and portable containerization platform that can run on any infrastructure, while OpenShift provides additional features and functionality built on top of Kubernetes.
OpenShift vs Kubernetes: Product vs Project
They contain software environments for development and production and can be obtained from public container registries. Kubernetes-based Kubernetes OpenShift platforms may be requested as a service in the public cloud with minimal infrastructure administration and excellent enterprise support. Companies may save operating costs while migrating to the cloud and still profit from the same tools and developer experiences they had on-premises, thanks to this cloud migration method. Kubernetes by itself is an open source software that automates deploying, managing, and scaling containers. Overall, OpenShift is a more complex platform than Docker, suited for those looking for a container orchestration tool that provides additional features over bare-bones Kubernetes.
Can I Use Docker Without Kubernetes?
But if you can follow a defined approach and want to use a container orchestration platform with ease of deployment and management, OpenShift is a better choice. And if you have been in the DevOps domain for the past few years, you can try your luck with Kubernetes. But in case you are a beginner, choose OpenShift as it will make most of the things pretty straightforward for you.
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Enterprise-level support will certainly be valuable for most large organizations. However, the added cost of running OpenShift may prove the deciding factor for many. OpenShift provides strong encryption controls to protect sensitive data, including platform secrets and application configuration data.
Can I use Kubernetes and Docker together?
In sum, it is structured so that pods can be replicated to support load balancing for your applications and to ensure applications do not fail. It is a means of running software more efficiently and reliably, no matter if you run it on a desktop, mobile, a local network or on the cloud. Container technology works by bundling application code — along with its libraries and other necessary information — into a single event. It’s termed a “single unit” of application as it includes the most basic object or process-oriented code. This enables applications to function better, whether on-premises or in any developer ecosystem. Cluster container orchestration is a widely used form of container software technology and it is how Kubernetes is designed.
Control multiple K8s clusters across cloud boundaries; including integrated development tools, monitoring, CI/CD, etc. Last but not least, we want to take advantage of the possibility to orchestrate our container clusters across infrastructure boundaries. At this point, the complexity of the system is no longer manageable for individuals. Special tools are needed which help organizations cope with this complexity. That’s one reason why comparable OpenShift alternatives have emerged.
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Docker is used predominantly by developers to standardize development workflows. OpenShift sits at the other end of the virtualization spectrum, covering the operational needs of an entire organization. Docker is one of the most popular containerization tools for docker vs kubernetes vs openshift organizations starting out with containers. There is wide support for running Docker containers on all major cloud providers. If you implement Kubernetes yourself within your infrastructure and some error arises, you must turn to the community for a solution.
Dev teams might not be as familiar with more specialized tools such as OpenShift, although there is a lot of documentation and commercial support. Consider OpenShift for a commercial, all-inclusive solution that offers constant and dedicated support. On the other hand, Kubernetes is a free-of-cost and open-source project you can use for free. And you need to look towards their community support for your queries. Whereas Docker Enterprise Edition (EE), is a commercial product that comes with enterprise-grade & dedicated support. Also note while Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform is based on Kubernetes, it is compatible with Docker tools, like Registry, Builder, and Docker Hub.