OpenShift vs Kubernetes vs Docker
October 27, 2023On the whole, both Kubernetes and OpenShift provide a high-functioning continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) process. Though you’ll find certain CD pipeline features may better support your business needs. Containerization uses clusters of nodes (either real or virtual machines) that function like one robust server.
It can help in running containers across multiple machines, scaling containers, and distributing load across different containers. Also, Kubernetes ensures storage management for multiple container instances and the launch of new container instances. Simple words would say, docker is for creating, running, and managing a few containers, and Kubernetes is the magic trick. Docker provides core features that enterprises need in a container platform, along with best practices for ensuring success.
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This involves pooling together multiple Docker host resources, so they act as one, allowing users to rapidly scale their container deployments to additional hosts. Terraform and Kubernetes are complementary tools for building and managing cloud infrastructure. Terraform acts like a blueprint, provisioning the underlying infrastructure like a Kubernetes cluster.
- It has been in use since the 1970s when virtual machines (VM) replaced mainframe processing with advanced multi-system resource sharing on one machine (or “node”).
- Most important of all, Docker allows the containerization of mission-critical applications.
- Also note while Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform is based on Kubernetes, it is compatible with Docker tools, like Registry, Builder, and Docker Hub.
- OpenShift’s deployment process is also user friendly, enabling organizations to establish a reliable and scalable container orchestration environment quickly.
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Developers can execute new builds in Docker-compatible containers, test them and deploy them. Operations teams can use OpenShift to orchestrate and automate application or container builds, scaling and deployments. OpenShift also offers automated performance monitoring, but the operations team still has to monitor and manage the container instances and underlying resources. The OpenShift platform is based on Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), as well as Docker and Kubernetes. OpenShift can facilitate the management of the overall pipeline for a project.
OpenShift vs Docker: Security
Red Hat’s® OpenShift® is an open-source container platform that runs on the Red Hat enterprise Linux operating system and Kubernetes. The product is typically termed a “Platform as a Service” (PaaS) because it combines a host of services within the platform for enterprise businesses. It also includes additional features that are exclusive to the OpenShift enterprise platform.
To access the Kubernetes Web GUI, you will need to install the Kubernetes dashboard and forward your local machine’s port address to the cluster server using kube-proxy. Since the dashboard lacks a login page, you will also have to create bearer tokens that facilitate authorization and authentication. However, the most confusing aspect related to OpenShift vs Kubernetes vs Docker arises in terms of the role of OpenShift! The most prominent answer is that OpenShift depends on Docker and Kubernetes internally. You can also think of OpenShift as a Kubernetes distribution managed by Red Hat.
- When comparing Kubernetes and OpenShift, the handling of container images and image registries is a notable difference.
- For example, OpenShift restricts its user base from running a container as a system administrator or root.
- This approach solves the “it works on my machine” problem, allowing applications to run seamlessly in development, testing, and production.
- It provides security features for multi-tenant networking and fine-grained network control.
However, OpenShift templates offer tight platform integration, making them useful for standardized deployments within OpenShift environments. In contrast, OpenShift’s DeploymentConfig mechanism does not support simultaneous updates, requiring each deployment to complete before another begins. This can simplify rollout control but may also limit agility in environments that require frequent, overlapping changes. Because OpenShift has much stricter security policies than native Kubernetes out of the box, it can be more complicated to administer. The policies need to be learned, and a higher level of privilege is required to control them.
For any glitches or support in implementation, Red Hat OpenShift offers a paid support. While OpenShift simplifies many aspects of Kubernetes management, Kubernetes itself offers more flexibility and cost efficiency—particularly for teams with strong in-house expertise. OpenShift is also developing OpenShift Pipelines, currently in technology preview.
Red Hat OpenShift
Namespace-based isolation and RBAC must be manually configured to support multi-tenant environments. OpenShift provides a user-friendly web console for managing and deploying applications. The intuitive UI simplifies resource allocation, monitoring, and troubleshooting, making it accessible for users with varying levels of expertise. OpenShift includes role-based access control (RBAC) as a default feature, ensuring that each developer only has access to the necessary capabilities. This helps prevent potential security issues related to account compromise. In contrast, Kubernetes lacks native authentication and authorisation features, which can make its security setup more complex and time-consuming.
They both feature robust and scalable architecture that enables rapid and large-scale application development, deployment, and management. I have tried to cover just a few out of many ways in OpenShift and Kubernetes differ. So, while Kubernetes manages Docker containers, it is not limited to Docker, and OpenShift is more than just Kubernetes—it provides an enhanced, integrated experience for developers and enterprises. Kubernetes does not provide a default networking solution and relies on third-party plug-ins for networking functionality. In addition, it enables granular deployment policies that allow operations, security, and compliance teams to enforce quotas, isolation, and access protections.
Kubernetes Vs. OpenShift: What Are The Differences?
Tools like Jenkins must be configured separately, adding complexity to the CI/CD process. Read our article on the best Kubernetes monitoring tools to learn how they can provide insight into your Kubernetes cluster. Comparing them directly is challenging since Kubernetes is an open-source project, while OpenShift is a product based on Kubernetes and offered by Red Hat. Nonetheless, understanding the relationship and differences between the two will help you make informed decisions about which platform best suits your needs. When comparing OpenShift and Kubernetes in terms of networking, it’s essential to understand how they handle network configurations and communication within containerised applications. When comparing OpenShift and Kubernetes, one significant aspect to consider is the support and community resources available for each platform.
OpenShift vs Kubernetes – differences and similarities
Openshift is an container orchestration platform which is developed by the redhat which is build on kubernetes following are some of the main docker vs kubernetes vs openshift components of openshift. It is capable of running in both cloud and on-premise systems, as well as hybrid clouds. Kubernetes is used by Developers to introduce various features like process automation, load balancing, and storage orchestration into their CI/CD pipelines.
An on-premises task can more easily be moved to a publicly accessible cloud, thanks to this method. ROSA (Red Hat OpenShift on AWS) and ARO (Red Hat OpenShift on EC2) are two lesser-known OpenShift product solutions. OpenShift clients can choose their choice cloud provider to install and run OpenShift.


