OpenShift vs. OpenStack

Attribute	OpenShift	OpenStack
Developed By	Red Hat	OpenStack Foundation
Type	Platform as a Service (PaaS)	Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
Deployment	Container-based	Virtual machine-based
Orchestration	Kubernetes	OpenStack Orchestration (Heat)
Networking	SDN (Software Defined Networking)	Neutron

Introduction

OpenShift and OpenStack are two popular open-source cloud computing platforms that offer different features and functionalities. While both platforms are designed to help organizations manage their cloud infrastructure, they have distinct differences that make them suitable for different use cases.

Architecture

OpenShift is a container application platform that is built on top of Kubernetes. It provides developers with a platform to build, deploy, and manage containerized applications. OpenShift uses Docker containers to package applications and Kubernetes to orchestrate and manage these containers. On the other hand, OpenStack is a cloud infrastructure platform that provides a set of services for building and managing cloud environments. OpenStack is made up of several components, including Nova for compute, Neutron for networking, and Cinder for storage.

Deployment

OpenShift is designed to be deployed on a variety of platforms, including on-premises data centers, public clouds, and hybrid clouds. It offers a variety of deployment options, including OpenShift Container Platform, OpenShift Dedicated, and OpenShift Online. OpenStack, on the other hand, is typically deployed on-premises or in a private cloud environment. It requires a significant amount of expertise to deploy and manage, as it involves setting up and configuring multiple components to work together.

Scalability

OpenShift is known for its scalability, as it can easily scale up or down based on the workload requirements. It can automatically adjust resources to meet the demands of the applications running on the platform. OpenShift also supports multi-tenancy, allowing multiple users or teams to share the same platform while maintaining isolation. OpenStack, on the other hand, can also scale horizontally and vertically, but it requires manual intervention to adjust resources. It is more suitable for large-scale deployments that require customization and control over the infrastructure.

Networking

OpenShift provides built-in networking capabilities that allow applications to communicate with each other within the platform. It uses software-defined networking (SDN) to create virtual networks and manage traffic between containers. OpenShift also supports integration with external networking solutions for more complex networking requirements. OpenStack, on the other hand, offers a networking service called Neutron, which provides networking as a service for cloud environments. Neutron allows users to create and manage virtual networks, routers, and security groups to control network traffic.

Storage

OpenShift provides persistent storage options for containerized applications, allowing data to persist even if the container is restarted or moved to a different node. It supports various storage backends, including NFS, GlusterFS, and Ceph, to meet different storage requirements. OpenShift also integrates with Kubernetes storage solutions, such as PersistentVolumes and StorageClasses, to manage storage resources. OpenStack, on the other hand, offers a storage service called Cinder, which provides block storage for virtual machines. Cinder allows users to create and attach volumes to instances for storing data.

Security

OpenShift includes built-in security features to protect applications and data running on the platform. It provides role-based access control (RBAC) to restrict access to resources based on user roles and permissions. OpenShift also supports network policies to control traffic between applications and pods. OpenStack, on the other hand, offers security features such as Keystone for authentication and authorization, and Barbican for key management. It also provides security groups to control network traffic and firewall rules.

Conclusion

OpenShift and OpenStack are both powerful cloud computing platforms that offer unique features and capabilities. While OpenShift is more focused on containerized applications and developer productivity, OpenStack is designed for building and managing cloud infrastructure at scale. Organizations should evaluate their requirements and use cases to determine which platform is best suited for their needs.