What Is OpenShift? Key Differences Between OpenShift and Kubernetes

OpenShift is an enterprise Kubernetes platform developed by Red Hat.

We can say that this platform is actually a Kubernetes solution that stands out with its own features. It provides solutions to companies with different deployment options, from on-premise installations to cloud-native setups.

Although OpenShift may seem like a tool for creating Kubernetes, it is more than just that; it is a full platform. It offers developers ready-to-use application templates, integrated CI/CD tools, and automated build processes for various programming languages. It also includes operational capabilities such as security, monitoring, logging, and networking.

With its web-based interface and command-line tools, it provides a smooth and user-friendly experience. OpenShift also has different versions such as the community-supported OKD (OpenShift Kubernetes Distribution) and the enterprise Red Hat OpenShift.

OpenShift is used to manage applications in containers.

Normally, tasks like server setup and network configuration can take a long time. With this platform, these processes are automated, leaving the user mainly responsible for deploying code.

Since everyone in a company uses the same environment, confusion is avoided. Applications can heal themselves, scale up when the load increases, and scale down when it decreases. Instead of handling these processes manually, they come ready out of the box.

OpenShift also ensures that applications run smoothly. When something breaks, the system restores itself without manual intervention, and updates are applied without causing downtime. This allows teams to focus on the product rather than the infrastructure, speeding up development and reducing risks in production environments.

The working principle of OpenShift is essentially the same as a Kubernetes cluster.

OpenShift simplifies the process by avoiding unnecessary complexity. Once all requirements are configured, the system proceeds automatically. When the load increases, it creates new units; if one fails, it replaces it; logs and metrics can be monitored via the interface. These are among the key functionalities it provides.

In addition, it centrally manages security and access control. Permissions such as who can access what and which application can use which resource are defined from the beginning and applied automatically. This reduces operational workload and ensures control is maintained as the environment grows.

At the lowest layer, there is the Linux operating system, and above it is the software that runs containers. On top of that, the management layer organizes operations, and the worker nodes execute the commands.

OpenShift also includes additional features. It has a built-in image registry, and security settings come pre-configured. When code is written, it can be run directly, making it easy to deploy most applications.

Kubernetes is a core engine, while OpenShift can be considered a ready-to-use package built on top of it.

In Kubernetes, tools such as monitoring, logging, and CI/CD usually need to be set up manually, whereas OpenShift provides them all together.

OpenShift also has stricter security and a more advanced interface. Getting support is easier as well. While Kubernetes is free, OpenShift has paid enterprise versions, although there are also free versions available. In short, OpenShift can be seen as an enhanced and extended version of Kubernetes.

Companies such as Deutsche Bank, BMW, Sabre, and DBS Bank use OpenShift.

Yes, OpenShift is built on a customized version of Kubernetes developed by its creators.

It is suitable for medium to large-scale technology-driven companies. It is especially useful for handling high workloads across multiple clusters.

For smaller companies, the open-source version may be an option. However, it is generally recommended that companies managing smaller clusters consider Kubernetes as a managed service.

OpenShift can run on multiple environments including:

• On-premise
• AWS (Amazon Web Services)
• Azure (Azure Red Hat OpenShift)
• GCP (Google Cloud Platform)
• IBM Cloud
• VMware vSphere
• Red Hat Virtualization

and many other cloud providers with different deployment options.

Although no system connected to the internet is completely secure, OpenShift follows modern security standards and includes up-to-date security patches within its platform. Therefore, it can be considered a secure solution in line with today’s requirements.