Table of Contents
Introduction
As organizations embark on their container journey, selecting the right container solution or platform becomes a critical decision that can significantly impact operational efficiency, developer productivity, and long-term sustainability. With numerous options available in the market, from basic container services to fully managed enterprise platforms, making an informed choice requires a structured approach.
This guide is designed to help organizations navigate the complex landscape of container solutions and platforms by providing a clear decision framework based on specific requirements and constraints. Whether you're just starting with containers or looking to scale your existing container infrastructure, this guide will help you identify the most suitable solution for your needs.
Decision Framework
Our decision framework is structured into three levels of increasing complexity and capability, allowing organizations to identify where they fit based on their specific needs and constraints. Each level addresses different aspects of container orchestration, from basic functionality to enterprise-grade features.
Level 1: Basic Container Requirements
At this first level, we evaluate whether your organization only requires basic container functionality without complex orchestration capabilities. This is typically suitable for organizations that are just beginning their container journey or have simple containerized applications with minimal scaling requirements.
Evaluation Criteria
If these capabilities are NOT important to your organization, you may be able to use simpler solutions:
Recommended Solutions
If the above criteria are NOT important to your organization, consider these options:
- Amazon ECS (Elastic Container Service)
- Azure Container Instances
- Google Cloud Run
These basic container services offer simplified container management without the complexity of full orchestration platforms like Kubernetes. They're easier to get started with and manage, but may limit flexibility and portability as your container strategy matures.
Level 2: Kubernetes Requirements
If your organization needs container orchestration but has minimal platform feature requirements, managed Kubernetes services might be the right fit. These services provide the power of Kubernetes orchestration while abstracting away some of the operational complexity.
Evaluation Criteria
If these capabilities are NOT critical to your organization, you may be able to use managed Kubernetes services:
Recommended Solutions
If the above criteria are NOT critical to your organization, consider these options:
- Amazon EKS (Elastic Kubernetes Service)
- Azure AKS (Azure Kubernetes Service)
- Google GKE (Google Kubernetes Engine)
Managed Kubernetes services provide a good balance between control and ease of management. They handle the Kubernetes control plane management while giving you flexibility over your worker nodes and applications. However, they may lack some of the advanced capabilities needed for enterprise-scale deployments, comprehensive security, or specialized workloads.
Level 3: Enterprise Platform Requirements
Organizations with sophisticated requirements for application platform capabilities, enterprise security, governance, and multi-cloud deployments should consider a fully managed enterprise platform like Red Hat OpenShift. These platforms extend Kubernetes with a comprehensive set of capabilities designed for enterprise production environments.
Key Benefits of Enterprise Platforms
Available Enterprise Solutions
For organizations with enterprise platform requirements, consider these options:
- Amazon ROSA (Red Hat OpenShift on AWS)
- Azure ARO (Azure Red Hat OpenShift)
- Google OSD (OpenShift Dedicated)
- IBM ROKS (Red Hat OpenShift on IBM Cloud)
Enterprise platforms like OpenShift provide a complete application platform that extends beyond basic container orchestration. They include integrated developer tools, CI/CD capabilities, enhanced security features, and comprehensive monitoring and observability. While they come at a higher price point, they offer significant value through reduced operational complexity, improved developer productivity, and enterprise-grade security and compliance features.
Conclusion
Selecting the right container solution or platform is not a one-size-fits-all decision. It requires careful evaluation of your organization's specific requirements, technical capabilities, and long-term strategic goals. By following the decision framework outlined in this guide, you can identify the solution that best aligns with your needs, whether that's a basic container service, a managed Kubernetes offering, or a comprehensive enterprise platform like OpenShift.
Remember that your container strategy may evolve over time as your organization's needs change and mature. Starting with a simpler solution and graduating to more advanced platforms as needed is a valid approach for many organizations. What's most important is that the solution you choose enables your teams to deliver value efficiently while meeting your operational, security, and compliance requirements.