Kubernetes vs Lens

Overview

Kubernetes

Stacks61.2K

Followers52.8K

Votes685

Lens

Stacks151

Followers183

Votes9

GitHub Stars23.0K

Forks1.5K

Kubernetes vs Lens: What are the differences?

Kubernetes vs Lens

Kubernetes and Lens are two powerful tools used in the field of containerization and orchestration. While both aim to simplify the management of container-based applications, they have some key differences.

Scope and Functionality: Kubernetes is an open-source container orchestration platform that provides features for deploying, scaling, and managing containerized applications. It focuses on managing the infrastructure and automating tasks related to container deployment. On the other hand, Lens is a Kubernetes IDE (Integrated Development Environment) that provides a user-friendly interface for interacting with Kubernetes clusters. It allows users to visualize and manage clusters, as well as perform various tasks such as editing YAML files and monitoring applications.
User Interface: Kubernetes primarily utilizes a command-line interface (CLI) to manage clusters and applications. While it offers a level of flexibility and fine-grained control, it can be complex for users who are not comfortable with the command line. In contrast, Lens offers a graphical user interface (GUI) that provides a more intuitive and visually appealing way to interact with Kubernetes. It allows users to access all the functionality of Kubernetes through a friendly and easy-to-use interface.
Features and Tools: Kubernetes provides a wide range of features and tools for managing containerized applications, including deployment strategies, scaling options, resource allocation, and monitoring capabilities. It also supports the integration of third-party tools for networking, storage, and logging. Lens, on the other hand, focuses on providing an enhanced user experience for working with Kubernetes. It offers additional features such as a real-time dashboard, cluster management, and application templates, which further simplify the management of Kubernetes clusters.
Multi-Cluster Management: Kubernetes allows users to manage multiple clusters simultaneously through its CLI or other management tools. It provides features for controlling and monitoring multiple clusters from a centralized location. Lens takes multi-cluster management to the next level by offering a dedicated workspace for managing multiple clusters. It allows users to switch between different clusters seamlessly and provides a unified view of all the clusters and their applications.
Ecosystem and Community: Kubernetes has a vast ecosystem and a strong community backing, which means there is a wide range of plugins, integrations, and support available. It is continuously updated and improved by contributors and maintained by the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF). While Lens does not have the same level of ecosystem and community as Kubernetes, it has been gaining popularity and has an active open-source community that actively contributes to its development.
Deployment and Setup: Deploying and setting up a Kubernetes cluster requires some level of technical expertise and infrastructure management skills. It involves configuring the cluster, defining resources, and managing networking and storage. On the other hand, deploying and setting up Lens is relatively straightforward. It can be installed as a standalone application on the user's machine and connected to one or more Kubernetes clusters for management.

In summary, Kubernetes is a container orchestration platform that focuses on managing containerized applications, while Lens is an IDE that provides an enhanced user experience for interacting with Kubernetes. Lens offers a graphical user interface, additional features, and multi-cluster management capabilities, making it a powerful tool for Kubernetes administration.

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Advice on Kubernetes, Lens

Simon

Senior Fullstack Developer at QUANTUSflow Software GmbH

Apr 27, 2020

Decidedon

GitHub

GitHub Pages

Markdown

Our whole DevOps stack consists of the following tools:

@{GitHub}|tool:27| (incl. @{GitHub Pages}|tool:683|/@{Markdown}|tool:1147| for Documentation, GettingStarted and HowTo's) for collaborative review and code management tool
Respectively @{Git}|tool:1046| as revision control system
@{SourceTree}|tool:1599| as @{Git}|tool:1046| GUI
@{Visual Studio Code}|tool:4202| as IDE
@{CircleCI}|tool:190| for continuous integration (automatize development process)
@{Prettier}|tool:7035| / @{TSLint}|tool:5561| / @{ESLint}|tool:3337| as code linter
@{SonarQube}|tool:2638| as quality gate
@{Docker}|tool:586| as container management (incl. @{Docker Compose}|tool:3136| for multi-container application management)
@{VirtualBox}|tool:774| for operating system simulation tests
@{Kubernetes}|tool:1885| as cluster management for docker containers
@{Heroku}|tool:133| for deploying in test environments
@{nginx}|tool:1052| as web server (preferably used as facade server in production environment)
@{SSLMate}|tool:2752| (using @{OpenSSL}|tool:3091|) for certificate management
@{Amazon EC2}|tool:18| (incl. @{Amazon S3}|tool:25|) for deploying in stage (production-like) and production environments
@{PostgreSQL}|tool:1028| as preferred database system
@{Redis}|tool:1031| as preferred in-memory database/store (great for caching)

The main reason we have chosen Kubernetes over Docker Swarm is related to the following artifacts:

Key features: Easy and flexible installation, Clear dashboard, Great scaling operations, Monitoring is an integral part, Great load balancing concepts, Monitors the condition and ensures compensation in the event of failure.
Applications: An application can be deployed using a combination of pods, deployments, and services (or micro-services).
Functionality: Kubernetes as a complex installation and setup process, but it not as limited as Docker Swarm.
Monitoring: It supports multiple versions of logging and monitoring when the services are deployed within the cluster (Elasticsearch/Kibana (ELK), Heapster/Grafana, Sysdig cloud integration).
Scalability: All-in-one framework for distributed systems.
Other Benefits: Kubernetes is backed by the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF), huge community among container orchestration tools, it is an open source and modular tool that works with any OS.

12.8M views12.8M

Comments

Detailed Comparison

Kubernetes	Lens
Kubernetes is an open source orchestration system for Docker containers. It handles scheduling onto nodes in a compute cluster and actively manages workloads to ensure that their state matches the users declared intentions.	It is the only IDE you’ll ever need to take control of your Kubernetes clusters. It is a standalone application for MacOS, Windows and Linux operating systems. It is open source and free.
Lightweight, simple and accessible;Built for a multi-cloud world, public, private or hybrid;Highly modular, designed so that all of its components are easily swappable	Multi Cluster Management; Multiple Workspaces; Built-In Prometheus Stats; Built-in Helm Applications Management; Context Aware Terminal;
Statistics
GitHub Stars -	GitHub Stars 23.0K
GitHub Forks -	GitHub Forks 1.5K
Stacks 61.2K	Stacks 151
Followers 52.8K	Followers 183
Votes 685	Votes 9
Pros & Cons
Pros 166 Leading docker container management solution 130 Simple and powerful 108 Open source 76 Backed by google 58 The right abstractions Cons 16 Steep learning curve 15 Poor workflow for development 8 Orchestrates only infrastructure 4 High resource requirements for on-prem clusters 2 Too heavy for simple systems	Pros 4 Keep track of cluster changes 2 Open Source 2 Easy management of multiple clusters 1 Local installation, not SaaS
Integrations
Vagrant Docker Rackspace Cloud Servers Microsoft Azure Google Compute Engine Ansible Google Kubernetes Engine	Linux macOS Windows

What are some alternatives to Kubernetes, Lens?

Rancher

Rancher is an open source container management platform that includes full distributions of Kubernetes, Apache Mesos and Docker Swarm, and makes it simple to operate container clusters on any cloud or infrastructure platform.

Docker Compose

With Compose, you define a multi-container application in a single file, then spin your application up in a single command which does everything that needs to be done to get it running.

Docker Swarm

Swarm serves the standard Docker API, so any tool which already communicates with a Docker daemon can use Swarm to transparently scale to multiple hosts: Dokku, Compose, Krane, Deis, DockerUI, Shipyard, Drone, Jenkins... and, of course, the Docker client itself.

Tutum

Tutum lets developers easily manage and run lightweight, portable, self-sufficient containers from any application. AWS-like control, Heroku-like ease. The same container that a developer builds and tests on a laptop can run at scale in Tutum.

Portainer

It is a universal container management tool. It works with Kubernetes, Docker, Docker Swarm and Azure ACI. It allows you to manage containers without needing to know platform-specific code.

Codefresh

Automate and parallelize testing. Codefresh allows teams to spin up on-demand compositions to run unit and integration tests as part of the continuous integration process. Jenkins integration allows more complex pipelines.

CAST.AI

It is an AI-driven cloud optimization platform for Kubernetes. Instantly cut your cloud bill, prevent downtime, and 10X the power of DevOps.

k3s

Certified Kubernetes distribution designed for production workloads in unattended, resource-constrained, remote locations or inside IoT appliances. Supports something as small as a Raspberry Pi or as large as an AWS a1.4xlarge 32GiB server.

Flocker

Flocker is a data volume manager and multi-host Docker cluster management tool. With it you can control your data using the same tools you use for your stateless applications. This means that you can run your databases, queues and key-value stores in Docker and move them around as easily as the rest of your app.

Kitematic

Simple Docker App management for Mac OS X

Related Comparisons

Stacks61.2K

Followers52.8K

Votes685

Lens

Stacks151

Followers183

Votes9

GitHub Stars23.0K

Forks1.5K

Kubernetes vs Lens: What are the differences?

Kubernetes vs Lens

Scope and Functionality: Kubernetes is an open-source container orchestration platform that provides features for deploying, scaling, and managing containerized applications. It focuses on managing the infrastructure and automating tasks related to container deployment. On the other hand, Lens is a Kubernetes IDE (Integrated Development Environment) that provides a user-friendly interface for interacting with Kubernetes clusters. It allows users to visualize and manage clusters, as well as perform various tasks such as editing YAML files and monitoring applications.
User Interface: Kubernetes primarily utilizes a command-line interface (CLI) to manage clusters and applications. While it offers a level of flexibility and fine-grained control, it can be complex for users who are not comfortable with the command line. In contrast, Lens offers a graphical user interface (GUI) that provides a more intuitive and visually appealing way to interact with Kubernetes. It allows users to access all the functionality of Kubernetes through a friendly and easy-to-use interface.
Features and Tools: Kubernetes provides a wide range of features and tools for managing containerized applications, including deployment strategies, scaling options, resource allocation, and monitoring capabilities. It also supports the integration of third-party tools for networking, storage, and logging. Lens, on the other hand, focuses on providing an enhanced user experience for working with Kubernetes. It offers additional features such as a real-time dashboard, cluster management, and application templates, which further simplify the management of Kubernetes clusters.
Multi-Cluster Management: Kubernetes allows users to manage multiple clusters simultaneously through its CLI or other management tools. It provides features for controlling and monitoring multiple clusters from a centralized location. Lens takes multi-cluster management to the next level by offering a dedicated workspace for managing multiple clusters. It allows users to switch between different clusters seamlessly and provides a unified view of all the clusters and their applications.
Ecosystem and Community: Kubernetes has a vast ecosystem and a strong community backing, which means there is a wide range of plugins, integrations, and support available. It is continuously updated and improved by contributors and maintained by the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF). While Lens does not have the same level of ecosystem and community as Kubernetes, it has been gaining popularity and has an active open-source community that actively contributes to its development.
Deployment and Setup: Deploying and setting up a Kubernetes cluster requires some level of technical expertise and infrastructure management skills. It involves configuring the cluster, defining resources, and managing networking and storage. On the other hand, deploying and setting up Lens is relatively straightforward. It can be installed as a standalone application on the user's machine and connected to one or more Kubernetes clusters for management.

Advice on Kubernetes, Lens

Simon

Senior Fullstack Developer at QUANTUSflow Software GmbH

Apr 27, 2020

Decidedon

GitHub

GitHub Pages

Markdown

Our whole DevOps stack consists of the following tools:

@{GitHub}|tool:27| (incl. @{GitHub Pages}|tool:683|/@{Markdown}|tool:1147| for Documentation, GettingStarted and HowTo's) for collaborative review and code management tool
Respectively @{Git}|tool:1046| as revision control system
@{SourceTree}|tool:1599| as @{Git}|tool:1046| GUI
@{Visual Studio Code}|tool:4202| as IDE
@{CircleCI}|tool:190| for continuous integration (automatize development process)
@{Prettier}|tool:7035| / @{TSLint}|tool:5561| / @{ESLint}|tool:3337| as code linter
@{SonarQube}|tool:2638| as quality gate
@{Docker}|tool:586| as container management (incl. @{Docker Compose}|tool:3136| for multi-container application management)
@{VirtualBox}|tool:774| for operating system simulation tests
@{Kubernetes}|tool:1885| as cluster management for docker containers
@{Heroku}|tool:133| for deploying in test environments
@{nginx}|tool:1052| as web server (preferably used as facade server in production environment)
@{SSLMate}|tool:2752| (using @{OpenSSL}|tool:3091|) for certificate management
@{Amazon EC2}|tool:18| (incl. @{Amazon S3}|tool:25|) for deploying in stage (production-like) and production environments
@{PostgreSQL}|tool:1028| as preferred database system
@{Redis}|tool:1031| as preferred in-memory database/store (great for caching)

The main reason we have chosen Kubernetes over Docker Swarm is related to the following artifacts:

Key features: Easy and flexible installation, Clear dashboard, Great scaling operations, Monitoring is an integral part, Great load balancing concepts, Monitors the condition and ensures compensation in the event of failure.
Applications: An application can be deployed using a combination of pods, deployments, and services (or micro-services).
Functionality: Kubernetes as a complex installation and setup process, but it not as limited as Docker Swarm.
Monitoring: It supports multiple versions of logging and monitoring when the services are deployed within the cluster (Elasticsearch/Kibana (ELK), Heapster/Grafana, Sysdig cloud integration).
Scalability: All-in-one framework for distributed systems.
Other Benefits: Kubernetes is backed by the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF), huge community among container orchestration tools, it is an open source and modular tool that works with any OS.

12.8M views12.8M

Comments

Detailed Comparison

Kubernetes	Lens
Kubernetes is an open source orchestration system for Docker containers. It handles scheduling onto nodes in a compute cluster and actively manages workloads to ensure that their state matches the users declared intentions.	It is the only IDE you’ll ever need to take control of your Kubernetes clusters. It is a standalone application for MacOS, Windows and Linux operating systems. It is open source and free.
Lightweight, simple and accessible;Built for a multi-cloud world, public, private or hybrid;Highly modular, designed so that all of its components are easily swappable	Multi Cluster Management; Multiple Workspaces; Built-In Prometheus Stats; Built-in Helm Applications Management; Context Aware Terminal;
Statistics
GitHub Stars -	GitHub Stars 23.0K
GitHub Forks -	GitHub Forks 1.5K
Stacks 61.2K	Stacks 151
Followers 52.8K	Followers 183
Votes 685	Votes 9
Pros & Cons
Pros 166 Leading docker container management solution 130 Simple and powerful 108 Open source 76 Backed by google 58 The right abstractions Cons 16 Steep learning curve 15 Poor workflow for development 8 Orchestrates only infrastructure 4 High resource requirements for on-prem clusters 2 Too heavy for simple systems	Pros 4 Keep track of cluster changes 2 Open Source 2 Easy management of multiple clusters 1 Local installation, not SaaS
Integrations
Vagrant Docker Rackspace Cloud Servers Microsoft Azure Google Compute Engine Ansible Google Kubernetes Engine	Linux macOS Windows

Kubernetes vs Lens

Overview

Kubernetes vs Lens: What are the differences?