If you are familiar with the containerization terminology then you might have gone through Kubernetes and OpenShift terms too. The packaging of multiple applications and deploying them across various operating systems is known as containerization. Professionals from the software development field are aware of Kubernetes and OpenShift software.
For your basic information, Kubernetes is a CaaS (Container as a Service) framework developed a decade ago by Google developers. On the other hand, Red Hat (an open-source software provider) developed OpenShift, a containerization software to develop apps for multiple operating systems.
In this blog let us discuss some of the major differences between Kubernetes and OpenShift.
OpenShift vs Kubernetes
Both Kubernetes and OpenShift are robust and scalable software that develop applications on a large scale. Also, their deployment and management is simple because both are functional on the Apache 2.0. Don’t assume that one similarity means there are no differences among them. Below we have shared several differences.
1. Deployment
Kubernetes software is easy to install on any platform like Microsoft Azure or AWS and any Linux distros like Ubuntu and Debian. It is flexible to install because it has an open-source framework. Talking about OpenShift, it’s proprietor is Red Had. Thus, it requires Red Hat’s proprietary software RHELAH (Red Hat Enterprise Linux Atomic Host), Fedora and CentOS. So, businesses who are not using these platforms are unable to deploy OpenShift software on their system.
Related: Docker vs Kubernetes – Understand the Difference
2. Security
If you want to consider the rigidity of security policies, OpenShift here does not allow running containers as a root and also provides a default security option for more security. Whereas, Kubernetes does not come up with the built-in authentication or authorization capabilities. As a result, developers need to create bearer tokens and follow manual authentication procedures.
3. Support
Technical glitches are a must for software and applications. Kubernetes has a professional community of software developers and tech support members extending the assistance to all users. Moreover, it also supports multiple frameworks and computer languages which OpenShift misses. OpenShift has a small support community of Red Hat developers only.
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4. User Experience and Interface
Kubernetes has a complicated web interface due to which many first time users will be unable to access that software. If you are a Kubernetes user and want to access its web graphics user interface (GUI), installing the Kubernetes dashboard and using kube-proxy is a must. Both of them help to cluster servers. Besides, to make authentication easier on Kubernetes, users need to create bearer tokens because there will be no login page available on the dashboard.
Comparatively, Openshift contains an intuitive web console and a one-touch login page within it. Due to the console, the simple form-based user-interface, users add, delete and modify resources in the application. All in all, OpenShift offers a distinctive user-friendly experience.
Related: What is Kubernetes Monitoring?
Conclusion
Popular container management systems Kubernetes and OpenShift each have their own special advantages and features. While OpenShift is the container platform that works with Kubernetes to make applications operate more effectively, Kubernetes helps automate application deployment, scaling, and operations.
