Red Hat OpenShift vs. Kubernetes Comparison
20 May 2021
Prepared by: Kerem Çeliker / Software Defined X (SDX) Business Unit
When using a traditional Kubernetes system, separate teams must be established and specialized for each of the following areas. Additionally, since these teams need to maintain communication based on Agile, Scrum, and DevOps culture, planning, setting up, and managing a traditional Kubernetes environment as a whole presents various challenges and risks.
Raise Service Request: Prioritization of SLA requests
Infrastructure Provisioning (Server HW, VM): Preparing the container infrastructure physically or virtually
Setting up OS: Preparing and configuring the operating system to run on containers
Setting up Technology Stack: Preparing and properly configuring the foundational technology architecture to run on the container infrastructure
Capacity Planning & Auto-Scaling: Planning and managing container infrastructure capacity and automatically scaling resources when needed
Configuration Management: Managing configurations of container architecture and applications
Container Security Management: Preparing, structuring, and managing container infrastructure security
Release Management: Preparing and managing software version changes for applications running on containers
Development: Managing and developing software and applications based on container infrastructure
Build: Installing software and applications
Test: Testing in the test environment after development and before deploying to the live environment, and continuing the development process
Application Deployment: Installing, managing, and integrating applications
Day2 Operations and Monitoring: Managing ongoing post-installation operations and centrally monitoring these operations
| KUBERNETES | OPENSHIFT |
| Kubernetes, on its own, only provides a Container as a Service (CaaS) infrastructure. However, as acknowledged by Kubernetes open-source creators and community supporters, it is never a ready-to-use Container Platform by itself. Therefore, each layer and component must be thoroughly analyzed, tested, and then implemented and managed according to their compatibility, as outlined in the main headings above. | OpenShift, on the other hand, is a fully open-source and Kubernetes-supported Container Platform. It eliminates the need to build all the aforementioned complex layers from scratch, providing the entire infrastructure ready for use from day one. By day two, it allows users to fully focus on managing software, applications, and related tasks. |
Red Hat OpenShift Platform (+) Plus
KUBERNETES (Core-Base)
| KUBERNETES | OPENSHIFT |
| In a traditional Kubernetes environment, there are approximately four new version updates annually. However, there is no guarantee or information provided regarding the compatibility of these updates with the existing structure and layers. As a result, you need to manually verify everything from scratch and perform the updates as a “Manual Installation.” Additionally, downtime must be scheduled for each update. | In an OpenShift environment, since it provides platform support, it releases 3-4 new version updates annually. Working directly with Kubernetes creators, OpenShift ensures that every update has been pre-checked and risk-analyzed before being offered to users. Thus, without any preliminary checks or additional work, you can perform updates as “Automatic Installation” even while operating “During the Day.” Each update is carried out seamlessly without any downtime. |
| Kubernetes allows you to create your own Docker Registry (repositories/pools), but unfortunately, it cannot do this in an integrated manner. It does not provide any interface, and all operations are conducted via commands. | In OpenShift, however, it provides full integration with Red Hat or Docker Hub. You can download repositories/pools to projects within a cluster and easily manage them by converting them into a console that provides an “Interface” where you can access information about the flows in your desired applications. |
| Since Kubernetes is an independent core project for container architecture, it does not come with its own “Container by Virtualization” technology. Before setting up the existing structure, you need to design it, or if it is already established, you cannot switch to a Kubernetes Virtualization structure. You can only add this capability through third-party applications and vendors as an add-on, but there is no guarantee of functionality. | In OpenShift, with the Red Hat OpenShift Virtualization infrastructure, you can design your architecture and manage both your Container Platform and virtual servers within the same infrastructure through a single interface. This way, you will be using a pre-tested and guaranteed infrastructure, gaining experience without the need for a separate second infrastructure cost for external virtual servers. |
| A traditional Kubernetes environment does not provide an official CI/CD and Monitoring integration solution. To set up a CI/CD and Monitoring pipeline with Kubernetes, you need to research and test compatibility and then install it, relying on third-party tools to ensure functionality. | OpenShift, on the other hand, offers certified open-source integration solutions for CI/CD and Monitoring services with a guarantee of functionality. It provides complete integration for both the Container Platform and the OpenShift Virtualization infrastructure. |
| A traditional Kubernetes infrastructure does not come with a storage solution. You must design, test, and purchase a suitable storage solution separately based on your requirements. If the storage solution you choose does not provide updated CSI support, you may encounter architectural risks and increased costs for your container applications and the data they host. | In the OpenShift platform, there is no need for a new physical storage appliance. With the Red Hat OpenShift Container Storage Operator, you can continue your work seamlessly from Day 1 with high IOPS and optimized I/O rates, without any performance loss in read and write operations, whether on the same platform or a different architecture. For instance, if you wish to host applications like “Apache Kafka or Hadoop” on this infrastructure, you will gain significant advantages in terms of cost, performance, and ease of management. |
| In a traditional Kubernetes environment, when you encounter issues or integration incompatibilities, you rely on Google and open-source forums for potential solutions, often without assurance of their accuracy. There is no direct support or SLA to guarantee timely solutions, as there is no official point of contact to resolve issues. | In contrast, OpenShift is an enterprise-level open-source container platform solution that provides direct support from engineers who developed both Kubernetes and OpenShift as a unified platform. With defined SLA terms, you are guaranteed accurate, timely, and reliable solutions. |
| Kubernetes does not have a native network solution but provides interfaces through third-party network plugins. | OpenShift, on the other hand, includes OpenVSwitch (SDN/OVN), a widely accepted network solution used in HCI and modern switch architectures. Additionally, it offers three different network plugin packages for further customization. |
| In a traditional Kubernetes environment, there is no centralized Kubernetes management interface or infrastructure for distributed or multi-region setups. You cannot define policies through an interface and deploy them across single or multi-cluster infrastructures, making it difficult or nearly impossible for DevOps or SRE platform teams to monitor. | In OpenShift, Red Hat Advanced Cluster Management for Kubernetes provides a centralized cluster management interface that controls applications running under multi-cluster or hybrid-cloud clusters with built-in security policies. It allows you to manage multiple clusters from a single console, distribute applications centrally, and enforce policy rules across multiple clusters, extending the value of Red Hat OpenShift as needed. |
| Kubernetes does not have a separate login page; to provide authentication and authorization, you need to manually create a bearer token. You must generate separate tokens for each application and operation, which can lead to management and compatibility issues over time, creating significant complexity for teams. | In OpenShift, there is a web console login page that is easily accessible and allows you to create and modify most resources through a form. You can manage the cluster via the web, visualize projects and cluster roles, and integrate with any open-source applications as needed. |
| In a traditional Kubernetes environment, there is no cybersecurity layer. The container, application, and network layers are completely exposed to zero-day attacks from day one. Since it is an open-source project, Kubernetes only provides the container service, leaving the responsibility of building the “lower, middle, and upper layers” entirely to the user. Therefore, every traditionally deployed Kubernetes environment is exposed to attacks from the first day. | In contrast, OpenShift comes with its own cybersecurity solution and layer as a platform. The DevSecOps infrastructure that encompasses the Kubernetes service is fully secured from day one. Even if no additional security software is installed, the initial setup is designed to protect against both internal and external threats. Additionally, to combat modern zero-day attacks that threaten many public and private institutions, Red Hat OpenShift also offers the OpenShift StackRox Container Security product within the OpenShift package, available upon request. This allows users to create policies at each layer, providing alerts or direct prevention as needed. |
The OpenShift-specific comparison information and distinctions shared above are not only applicable to the Kubernetes Project but also to other products that are still relatively new in the market and claim to be a Container Platform.
In summary, you can think of a Kubernetes environment as a “Bare Metal and Car Engine” straight off the assembly line. On the other hand, OpenShift, being a ready-made Kubernetes platform product, can be compared to a fully equipped car that provides all the features you would expect from a vehicle, along with a guarantee.
