Red Hat Openshift Container Platform
Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform is a Kubernetes-based, open-source enterprise platform designed for container application development, deployment, and management. It provides a consistent hybrid cloud foundation, enabling organizations to build and scale containerized applications across diverse environments.
The OpenShift Container Platform
OpenShift integrates Kubernetes with additional tools and services to offer a comprehensive platform for managing containerized applications. Key features include:
Enterprise-Grade Kubernetes: Built on Red Hat Enterprise Linux, OpenShift provides robust security, scalability, and reliability.
Developer Tools: Includes CI/CD pipelines, source-to-image (S2I) capabilities, and developer-friendly workflows.
Automated Operations: Kubernetes Operators enable automated updates and management of applications and infrastructure.
Multi-Cloud Support: Consistent experience across on-premise, public cloud, and hybrid environments.
Comparison with Traditional Kubernetes Cluster
While OpenShift is built on Kubernetes, it offers additional features and integrations that make it more suitable for enterprise use:
Integrated Tools: OpenShift includes integrated CI/CD pipelines, monitoring, logging, and security features, whereas traditional Kubernetes requires manual integration of these components.
Simplified Management: OpenShift uses Operators for automated management and updates, reducing the manual effort required in traditional Kubernetes.
Enhanced Security: OpenShift provides built-in security features like role-based access control (RBAC) and integrated security checks.
OpenShift Streamlines Software Development
OpenShift Container Platform streamlines software development in several ways:
Developer-Friendly Tools: Built-in CI/CD pipelines and source-to-image capabilities simplify the process from application code to container.
Automation: Automated updates and scaling ensure applications are always up-to-date and can handle varying loads.
Security: Enhanced security features like role-based access control (RBAC) and integrated security checks help maintain a secure development environment.
Multi-Cloud Support: OpenShift supports hybrid and multi-cloud deployments, allowing developers to build and deploy applications across different environments seamlessly.
Differences Between OpenShift v4.x and v3.x
There are several key differences between OpenShift v4.x and v3.x:
Architecture
OpenShift v3.x: Administrators deployed Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) hosts and installed OpenShift on top of these hosts.
OpenShift v4.x: Uses Red Hat Enterprise Linux CoreOS (RHCOS) for its operating system, an immutable container host designed for efficient installation, Operator-based management, and simplified upgrades.
Management
OpenShift v3.x: Manual management of hosts and updates.
OpenShift v4.x: Automated management using Operators, machine sets, and full-stack automation.
Storage:
OpenShift v3.x: Uses Red Hat Gluster Storage.
OpenShift v4.x: Uses Red Hat CEPH Storage.
OpenShift Container Platform's oc Command Line Tool
The oc command line tool is a powerful CLI for managing OpenShift Container Platform. Key features include:
Application Management: Create, build, deploy, and manage applications directly from the terminal.
Cluster Operations: Perform cluster administration tasks such as scaling, monitoring, and updating nodes.
Scripting: Automate OpenShift operations using scripts.
Operator Development: Develop and manage Kubernetes Operators.
Using oc Command Line Tool to Build and Deploy Applications
To build container images and deploy applications directly from source code or binaries using the oc command line tool, follow these steps:
Login to OpenShift
oc login <OpenShift_API_URL>Create a New Project
oc new-project <project_name>Build and Deploy from Source Code
oc new-app <source_code_URL> Build and Deploy from Binary
oc new-build --binary --name=<app_name>
oc start-build <app_name> --from-dir=<path_to_binary>
oc new-app <app_name>
Installing OpenShift on Bare Metal IBM Power Server
To install OpenShift Container Platform with large worker nodes on a bare metal IBM Power server, follow these steps:
Preparation
Ensure your hardware meets the requirements for OpenShift installation.
Set up the network and storage configurations, including NIC partitioning for SR-IOV devices if needed.
Installation
Use the Assisted Installer or User-Provisioned Infrastructure (UPI) method.
Download the necessary OpenShift software from the Red Hat portal.
Create and configure the bastion, bootstrap, control plane, and worker nodes.
Configuration
Configure services on the bastion node and transfer the downloaded OpenShift software.
Define the installation parameters and deploy the cluster using the chosen method.
Public Clouds Supporting OpenShift
Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform is available on several public clouds:
Amazon Web Services (AWS): Red Hat OpenShift Service on AWS is a fully managed container platform service operated jointly by Red Hat and AWS.
Microsoft Azure: Azure Red Hat OpenShift provides highly available, fully managed OpenShift clusters on-demand.
Google Cloud Platform: Red Hat OpenShift Dedicated is hosted on AWS or Google Cloud and managed by Red Hat.
IBM Cloud: Red Hat OpenShift on IBM Cloud is a managed service that reduces operational complexity.
Deploying Process Automation Manager 7.13 on OpenShift
To deploy Red Hat Process Automation Manager 7.13 on OpenShift, follow these steps:
Preparation
Ensure your OpenShift environment is authenticated to the Red Hat registry to download the necessary images.
Create the required secrets for KIE Server, such as SSL certificates for HTTPS access.
Deployment
Use OpenShift Operators to deploy the environment. Operators help manage the lifecycle of the application components.
Define the deployment configuration in a structured YAML file.
Allocate resources based on the environment type (authoring, managed server, immutable server, etc.).
Configuration
Configure the OpenShift project and ensure you are logged into the project using the OpenShift web console.
Adjust resource allocations as needed for acceptable performance.
References
[3] Manco, Marco. Cloud Native Security in Service Mesh. Diss. Politecnico di Torino, 2022.
[4] Quintero, Dino, et al. "Red Hat OpenShift V4. 3 on IBM Power Systems Reference Guide." (2020).
[5] Vallabhaneni, Geetha Nagini. "Comparison and Contrast of OpenStack and OpenShift." (2021).
