Cloud computing with OpenShift

OpenShift as a Run Time

In my experience, most people don't really like computers, or operating systems, or platforms, or software in general. People like getting things done. People like things like a Rubik's Cube-solving LEGO robot [5].

Most interactions with OpenShift are via Git; you simply edit your local code repository, commit, and push to OpenShift (be it the service or your own instance). You can also use things like Jenkins, a continuous integration server that supports multiple languages. You commit a change, it builds and passes tests, and it gets committed to production. Or, you can provide your developers with an OpenShift instance and the cartridges you plan to use (SQL, NoSQL, etc.); then, they build something that works on those versions, and you can easily deploy it on your own servers.

The days of consultants delivering an application that only runs on some weird set of out-of-date libraries are past (I hope). Much like the Linux Standards Base (LSB), you can define a common set of software packages and versions that the application must support and run within. However, unlike the LSB, you can define it yourself and easily provide an example environment to your developers.

Conclusion

As with any technology, you began by walking, then running, then driving cars, then adding seat belts and airbags and comfortable seats. PaaS is potentially a very easy-to-use technology that provides you control over your environment but is offset by the actual availability of the PaaS software and environment.

I love using online *aaS providers like AWS and OpenShift Online – things just work. Scaling is literally not my problem, and backups are as easy as hitting the "make AMI image" button or typing git clone <example>. In fact, scaling can be as easy as doing nothing and letting the PaaS layer take care of it. As for deployment, OpenShift Origin has Puppet scripts, so you can drop OpenShift on top of your existing physical servers, your IaaS, or whatever, which, if you ask me, is a whole lot better than setting up physical servers.

The Author

Kurt Seifried is an Information Security Consultant specializing in Linux and networks since 1996. He often wonders how it is that technology works on a large scale but often fails on a small scale.

Buy this article as PDF

Express-Checkout as PDF
Price $2.95
(incl. VAT)

Buy Linux Magazine

SINGLE ISSUES
 
SUBSCRIPTIONS
 
TABLET & SMARTPHONE APPS
Get it on Google Play

US / Canada

Get it on Google Play

UK / Australia

Related content

  • SQL Server Comes to RHEL; OpenShift Comes to Azure

    Microsoft and Red Hat expand their partnership.

  • Red Hat Releases OpenShift Enterprise

    Enterprise-ready PaaS tool brings cloud-based development to private or hybrid cloud environments.

  • Tech Tools

    Red Hat Announces OpenShift Origin

    OpenMAMA 2.1 Now Available

    Tizen Association Releases Larkspur

    Yocto Project 1.2 Released

  • News

    Ubuntu 18.04 released, Richard Stallman calls Azure Sphere OS a positive step, RHEL 7.5 released, Microsoft releases a Linux-based OS, and Red Hat and Microsoft join forces for Hybrid Cloud. 

  • News

    In the news: Reddit closing doors to open source, VMware brings its cloud to AWS, Gnome celebrates its 20th birthday, SQL Server comes to RHEL; OpenShift comes to Azure, and FDA recalls nearly half a million pacemakers over security concerns. 

comments powered by Disqus
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters

Support Our Work

Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.

Learn More

News