OpenShift & Its Use Cases

OpenShift is a cloud development Platform as a Service (PaaS) developed by Red Hat. It is an open source development platform, which enables the developers to develop and deploy their applications on cloud infrastructure. According to the company, Kubernetes is the kernel of distributed systems, while OpenShift is the distribution. At its core, OpenShift is a cloud-based Kubernetes container platform that’s considered both containerization software and a platform-as-a-service built around Docker containers orchestrated and managed by Kubernetes on a foundation of Red Hat Enterprise Linux.

Based on the Kubernetes container orchestration standard, Red Hat OpenShift provides a stable container platform environment for end-user-facing applications, as well as continuous integration and delivery (CI/CD) pipeline support for development teams.

Previously known as Origin, the open-source platform, OpenShift OKD lets developers create, test, and deploy applications on the cloud. It also supports several programming languages, including Go, Node.js, Ruby, Python, PHP, Perl, and Java.

OpenShift Architecture:

OpenShift is a layered system wherein each layer is tightly bound with the other layer using Kubernetes and Docker cluster. The architecture of OpenShift is designed in such a way that it can support and manage Docker containers, which are hosted on top of all the layers using Kubernetes. Unlike the earlier version of OpenShift V2, the new version of OpenShift V3 supports containerized infrastructure. In this model, Docker helps in the creation of lightweight Linux-based containers and Kubernetes supports the task of orchestrating and managing containers on multiple hosts.

What’s init:

Container host and runtime:

Red Hat OpenShift ships with Red Hat® Enterprise Linux® CoreOS for the Kubernetes master, and supports Red Hat Enterprise Linux for worker nodes. Red Hat OpenShift supports standard Docker and CRI-O runtimes.

Enterprise Kubernetes:

Red Hat OpenShift includes hundreds of fixes to defect, security, and performance issues for upstream Kubernetes in every release. It is tested with dozens of technologies and is a robust tightly-integrated platform supported over a 9-year lifecycle.

Validated integrations:

Software-defined networking is included in Red Hat OpenShift, and it also validates other popular networking solutions. For each version, Red Hat OpenShift also verifies a number of storage and third-party plug-ins.

Integrated container registry:

Red Hat OpenShift ships with an integrated, private container registry (installed as part of the Kubernetes cluster or as standalone for greater flexibility). Teams with greater requirements can also use Red Hat Quay.

Developer workflows:

Built-in Jenkins pipelines and our source-to-image technology to go straight from application code to container are included in Red Hat OpenShift to help teams get to production faster.

Automation :

Streamlined and automated container and application builds, deployments, scaling, health management, and more are standard with OpenShift Container Platform.

Operational management :

RedHat Monitoring included in OpenShift Container Platform, gives users real-time visibility into their containerized application and infrastructure.

Case Study: LogistiCare

LogistiCare manages more than 70 million non-emergency medical rides every year through its network of contracted transportation companies, mass transit partnerships, mileage reimbursement programs, and independent drivers. Its business has grown over 60% in the last four years. To find a reliable core ride management platform that would keep up with the growing scale and complexity of business, LogistiCare turned to Red Hat. The company implemented a solution based on Red Hat JBoss Middleware, Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform, and Ansible by Red Hat. With this new app development environment, LogistiCare can more quickly add new features and capabilities for customers and partners while also improving efficiency, performance, and operational costs.

BENEFITS :

• Cut app development time to add new features for customers and partners faster
• Gained easier integration with third-party partners and systems, such as the Lyft ride-sharing service
• Increased agent efficiency by 15%
• Reduced operational costs by an estimated US$6 million per year

LogistiCare used technology from across Red Hat’s enterprise portfolio to modernize its app processes and establish an agile platform for more adaptive services. The company deployed Red Hat Middleware — including Red Hat Fuse, Red Hat Process Automation Manager, and Red Hat Decision Manager — to:

• Create a microservices architecture to develop applications as independent, modular services.
• Automate end-to-end business processes.
• Define complex rules within each service or process for regulatory compliance, routing, payment processing, and ride scheduling.
• Establish a lightweight, flexible integration platform for creating and connecting application programming interfaces (APIs) quickly.

Additionally, LogistiCare deployed Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform to gain a comprehensive, enterprise-grade container platform based on industry standards, such as docker and enterprise Kubernetes. Red Hat Ansible Automation lets the company automatically manage repetitive tasks using simple, easy-to understand language.