openshift 4.14 Scalability Performance and Sustainability

OpenShift 4.14 brings significant improvements in scalability, performance, and sustainability. With a focus on efficiency and reliability, this release is designed to handle large-scale workloads with ease.

One of the key features of OpenShift 4.14 is its ability to scale up to 10,000 nodes, making it an ideal choice for large enterprises. This is a significant increase from previous versions, allowing for even greater flexibility and scalability.

The improved performance of OpenShift 4.14 is also noteworthy, with a 30% reduction in memory usage and a 25% increase in CPU utilization. This means that users can expect faster and more efficient execution of their workloads.

By optimizing resource utilization, OpenShift 4.14 reduces waste and minimizes the environmental impact of IT operations. This is a crucial aspect of sustainability, as it helps to reduce the carbon footprint of data centers and promote eco-friendly practices.

OpenShift Container Platform installation offers flexibility to deploy on a range of different platforms. You can install it on installer-provisioned or user-provisioned infrastructure, depending on the platform.

Installing on Alibaba Cloud is currently a Technology Preview feature only, but it's available for those who need it. On AWS, you can choose between installer-provisioned infrastructure and user-provisioned infrastructure.

OpenShift Container Platform can also be installed on Azure, Azure Stack Hub, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), IBM Cloud, IBM Power Virtual Server, IBM Power, and IBM Z and IBM LinuxONE with z/VM. Each of these platforms has its own unique requirements and options.

To give you an idea of the options available, here's a list of some of the platforms you can install OpenShift Container Platform on:

Each of these options has its own set of requirements and considerations, so be sure to research and choose the one that best fits your needs.

OpenShift 4.14 has robust security features to protect your cluster. One key aspect of this is learning about and managing security for OpenShift Container Platform.

You can manage security for OpenShift Container Platform by following best practices for cluster security. This includes configuring network policies to control traffic flow.

Network policies in OpenShift 4.14 allow you to specify which pods can communicate with each other. You can define policies based on labels, namespaces, and other criteria.

OpenShift 4.14 also includes features like pod security policies and restricted security profiles to further enhance cluster security. These features provide an additional layer of protection against potential security threats.

Regularly monitoring your cluster's security posture is crucial to identifying and addressing potential vulnerabilities. OpenShift 4.14 provides tools to help you do this, including the OpenShift console's security dashboard.

OpenShift 4.14 offers flexibility in cloud deployment options. You can install it on multiple cloud providers.

You can choose from several cloud providers, including IBM Cloud and AWS. Installing on IBM Cloud requires following the instructions for OpenShift Container Platform on IBM Cloud.

AWS is another popular option, and the process involves installing OpenShift Container Platform on Amazon Web Services.

OpenShift Container Platform can be installed on OpenStack, which allows for flexibility and scalability in deploying applications.

To install OpenShift on OpenStack, you'll need to follow the specific instructions for the platform, which can be found in the documentation.

OpenShift Container Platform on OpenStack supports a wide range of features and tools, making it a popular choice for developers and organizations.

The installation process for OpenShift on OpenStack involves several steps, including preparing the environment, configuring the infrastructure, and deploying the platform.

By leveraging OpenStack's cloud infrastructure, you can easily manage and scale your OpenShift environment as needed.

Installing OpenShift Container Platform on Nutanix is a viable option for businesses looking to leverage the cloud provider's infrastructure.

Nutanix is a popular choice among cloud providers due to its scalable and flexible architecture.

To install OpenShift Container Platform on Nutanix, you can follow the instructions outlined in the article section "Installing on Nutanix".

Nutanix offers a range of features that make it an attractive option for businesses, including high performance, reliability, and ease of use.

Businesses can expect to see improved efficiency and productivity when using Nutanix as their cloud provider.

OpenShift 4.14 offers robust management features for its cluster components. You can manage machines, container registries, and users with different levels of permissions.

To manage machines, you can use machine sets, deploy health checks, and apply autoscaling. OpenShift Container Platform also includes a built-in container registry for storing images, and you can configure a separate Red Hat Quay registry if needed.

Here are some key management features:

You can also manage networking, storage, and Operators to ensure your cluster runs smoothly.

Managing the control plane is a crucial part of maintaining a healthy OpenShift cluster. You can manage compute and control plane machines with machine sets, deploy health checks, and apply autoscaling.

To manage machines, you can use machine sets, which allow you to scale your cluster up or down as needed. This is especially useful for bare metal clusters, where you can scale your cluster by adding or removing bare metal hosts.

Machine sets provide a way to manage multiple machines at once, making it easier to maintain a consistent state across your cluster. You can also use machine sets to deploy health checks and apply autoscaling, which helps ensure that your cluster is always running optimally.

Here are some key points to consider when managing control plane activities:

Installing OpenShift Container Platform on a single node is a straightforward process that requires minimal configuration.

You can install OpenShift Container Platform on a single node, which is a great option for small-scale deployments or development environments.

This approach allows you to get started quickly without the need for multiple nodes or complex networking configurations.

Infrastructure is a crucial component of any OpenShift Container Platform setup. You can install OpenShift on various infrastructure platforms, including Alibaba Cloud, AWS, Azure, Azure Stack Hub, GCP, IBM Cloud, IBM Power Virtual Server, IBM Power, IBM Z and IBM LinuxONE, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), Red Hat OpenStack Platform (RHOSP), Nutanix, and bare metal.

To install OpenShift on bare metal, you'll need at least two network interfaces per node, one for the node network and the other for the pod network. This design separates OpenShift node traffic from pod traffic. You can achieve this separation using either a separate physical interface for node and infra networks or a single subinterface for both node and infra networks.

Some platforms, such as IBM Cloud Bare Metal (Classic), allow you to deploy installer-provisioned clusters on bare metal. Additionally, the hosted control planes feature is now Generally Available on bare metal and OpenShift Virtualization platforms.

Here are some of the infrastructure options for installing OpenShift Container Platform:

Installing OpenShift Container Platform on IBM Power is a viable option for users. You can install it on user-provisioned infrastructure.

IBM Power has two installation options: IBM Power and IBM Power Virtual Server. IBM Power requires user-provisioned infrastructure, while IBM Power Virtual Server allows for installer-provisioned infrastructure.

Here are the key differences between the two options:

This means that with IBM Power, you'll need to provision all the necessary resources for OpenShift Container Platform, while with IBM Power Virtual Server, the installation program will handle the provisioning for you.

OCI is a cloud infrastructure that allows you to deploy and manage your OpenShift Container Platform. Installing on OCI is a straightforward process.

You can install OpenShift Container Platform on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, as mentioned in the article. This provides a flexible and scalable environment for your applications.

OCI offers a range of services, including compute, storage, and networking, that can be leveraged to support your OpenShift deployment. This makes it an attractive option for businesses looking to modernize their infrastructure.

By using OCI, you can take advantage of its high-performance capabilities, security features, and cost-effectiveness. This can help you improve the efficiency and reliability of your OpenShift environment.

The article highlights the ease of installing OpenShift on OCI, making it a great choice for businesses of all sizes. Whether you're a small startup or a large enterprise, OCI can provide the scalability and flexibility you need to succeed.

Installing OpenShift Container Platform on vSphere is a viable option for organizations looking to deploy their containerized applications on a robust and scalable platform. You can install it using either installer-provisioned infrastructure or user-provisioned infrastructure.

With installer-provisioned infrastructure, the installation program will preconfigure and automate the provisioning of resources required by OpenShift Container Platform. This approach is ideal for those who want a hassle-free installation experience.

User-provisioned infrastructure, on the other hand, requires the user to provision all resources required by OpenShift Container Platform. This option provides more control over the installation process but also requires more technical expertise.

You can install OpenShift Container Platform on vSphere by using either the Assisted Installer or the Agent-based Installer. The Assisted Installer is a more streamlined approach that automates the installation process, while the Agent-based Installer provides more flexibility and control.

Here are the different installation options for OpenShift Container Platform on vSphere:

It's worth noting that existing OpenShift on VMware vSphere clusters that were initially deployed in Red Hat OpenShift 4.12 or earlier will need to undergo the vSphere CSI migration after upgrading to Red Hat OpenShift 4.14. The vSphere CSI migration is automatic and seamless, and it does not change how you use existing API objects, such as persistent volumes, persistent volume claims, and storage classes.

Managing components is a crucial part of maintaining a healthy OpenShift cluster. You can manage machines with machine sets, deploy health checks, and apply autoscaling to ensure your cluster is running smoothly.

To manage container registries, you can use the built-in container registry or configure a separate Red Hat Quay registry. This allows you to store and manage your images efficiently.

Adding users and groups with different levels of permissions is also essential. This can be done to control who can use or modify the cluster.

Authentication is another important aspect of cluster management. OpenShift Container Platform supports multiple identity providers, and you can learn how user, group, and API authentication works.

Managing certificates for Ingress, API server, and services is also necessary. You might need to change, add, or rotate these certificates to ensure the security of your cluster.

The cluster network is managed by the Cluster Network Operator (CNO), which uses iptables rules in kube-proxy to direct traffic between nodes and pods. You can also use network policy features to isolate your pods or permit selected traffic.

Persistent storage can be configured using Red Hat OpenShift Data Foundation, AWS Elastic Block Store, NFS, iSCSI, Container Storage Interface (CSI), and more. You can expand persistent volumes, configure dynamic provisioning, and use CSI to configure, clone, and use snapshots of persistent storage.

Here's a quick rundown of the components you can manage in an OpenShift cluster:

Configuring registries is a crucial step in setting up OpenShift Container Platform.

You'll need to configure registries for OpenShift Container Platform.

The registry is where you store and manage your container images.

To configure a registry, you'll need to follow the instructions for your specific registry type.

For example, if you're using the Docker registry, you'll need to create a Docker registry secret.

This secret contains the registry URL and authentication credentials.

By configuring your registry correctly, you'll be able to push and pull container images to and from your registry.

This is a key part of building and deploying containerized applications on OpenShift Container Platform.

Backing up your OpenShift Container Platform cluster is crucial to prevent data loss in case of a disaster or unexpected failure. You can back up your cluster using the "oc adm backup" command.

Restoring your cluster from a backup is also a straightforward process. Simply use the "oc adm restore" command to restore your cluster from the backed-up data.

The backup and restore process can be automated to run at regular intervals, ensuring your cluster is always up to date and protected. This can be done using a scheduler like cron.

Backing up and restoring your cluster can be a complex process, but OpenShift Container Platform provides a robust and reliable solution to help you manage your cluster's data.

Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) is a crucial aspect of application development and management.

You can create and manage applications on OpenShift Container Platform, which includes building and deploying applications in a streamlined way.

Builds using Shipwright are an extensible build framework for building container images on an OpenShift cluster.

Pipelines are a cloud-native, continuous integration and continuous delivery solution based on Kubernetes resources.

CI/CD is also closely related to GitOps, a declarative way to implement continuous deployment for cloud native applications.

This approach ensures that your code is always in a deployable state, and you can automate the deployment process to reduce errors and improve efficiency.

With Shipwright, you can automate the build process and create container images that are ready to deploy to your OpenShift cluster.

By leveraging Pipelines and GitOps, you can implement a robust CI/CD pipeline that automates the testing, building, and deployment of your applications.

Workloads APIs are the backbone of modern cloud infrastructure, allowing you to manage and scale your workloads with ease.

They enable you to automate tasks, such as scaling up or down, and even migrating workloads between different cloud providers. This is particularly useful for businesses with fluctuating workloads or those that need to quickly adapt to changing market conditions.

A key feature of Workloads APIs is their ability to integrate with other cloud services, such as monitoring and logging tools. This allows for a unified view of your workloads and enables you to make data-driven decisions about scaling and optimization.

This level of integration and automation is crucial for businesses that need to be agile and responsive to changing circumstances. It can also help reduce costs and improve overall efficiency.

Workloads APIs can be used to create custom dashboards and visualizations, giving you a clear view of your workloads and resources. This can be especially useful for teams with multiple stakeholders or those that need to track complex workflows.