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Kubernetes vs fabric8: What are the differences?
Introduction
Kubernetes and fabric8 are both popular platforms used for container orchestration and management. However, they have some key differences that set them apart from each other.
Cluster Management: One major difference between Kubernetes and fabric8 is their approach to cluster management. Kubernetes provides a highly scalable and robust cluster management solution, with features like automated deployment, scaling, and load balancing. On the other hand, fabric8 focuses more on providing a simplified and lightweight cluster management solution, suitable for smaller deployments or development environments.
Support for multiple container runtimes: Kubernetes supports multiple container runtimes, including Docker and CRI-O. This allows users to choose the runtime that best suits their needs. In contrast, fabric8 primarily uses the Docker container runtime and has limited support for other runtimes. This can be a limitation for users who prefer non-Docker runtimes.
Integration with other tools and services: Kubernetes has a rich ecosystem of tools and services built around it, making it easy to integrate with various monitoring, logging, and CI/CD tools. On the other hand, fabric8 offers a more opinionated stack with built-in tools for monitoring, logging, and continuous delivery, making it easier to get started quickly without the need for external integrations.
Flexibility and Customization: Kubernetes provides a high degree of flexibility and customization options, allowing users to fine-tune their cluster configurations and define complex deployment scenarios. Fabric8, on the other hand, focuses on providing a curated experience with pre-configured deployments and opinionated defaults, which can make it easier for beginners but may limit customization options for advanced users.
Community and Support: Kubernetes has a large and active community of contributors, with extensive documentation, tutorials, and support available. This makes it easier for users to find help and resources when facing issues or trying to implement specific features. Fabric8, while also having a community, may have a smaller user base and might have limited documentation and support resources available.
Maturity and Adoption: Kubernetes has gained widespread adoption across various industries and has proven its stability and scalability in large-scale production deployments. Fabric8, while also being a mature platform, may not have the same level of adoption and proven track record in enterprise-scale deployments.
In summary, Kubernetes provides a robust and highly scalable cluster management solution with extensive community support and a wide range of integrations, while fabric8 offers a more lightweight and opinionated stack with built-in tools and simplified management for smaller deployments or development environments.
Our whole DevOps stack consists of the following tools:
- GitHub (incl. GitHub Pages/Markdown for Documentation, GettingStarted and HowTo's) for collaborative review and code management tool
- Respectively Git as revision control system
- SourceTree as Git GUI
- Visual Studio Code as IDE
- CircleCI for continuous integration (automatize development process)
- Prettier / TSLint / ESLint as code linter
- SonarQube as quality gate
- Docker as container management (incl. Docker Compose for multi-container application management)
- VirtualBox for operating system simulation tests
- Kubernetes as cluster management for docker containers
- Heroku for deploying in test environments
- nginx as web server (preferably used as facade server in production environment)
- SSLMate (using OpenSSL) for certificate management
- Amazon EC2 (incl. Amazon S3) for deploying in stage (production-like) and production environments
- PostgreSQL as preferred database system
- Redis 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.
Pros of fabric8
- Easy to build and automate integration testing1
Pros of Kubernetes
- Leading docker container management solution166
- Simple and powerful129
- Open source107
- Backed by google76
- The right abstractions58
- Scale services25
- Replication controller20
- Permission managment11
- Supports autoscaling9
- Simple8
- Cheap8
- Self-healing6
- Open, powerful, stable5
- Reliable5
- No cloud platform lock-in5
- Promotes modern/good infrascture practice5
- Scalable4
- Quick cloud setup4
- Custom and extensibility3
- Captain of Container Ship3
- Cloud Agnostic3
- Backed by Red Hat3
- Runs on azure3
- A self healing environment with rich metadata3
- Everything of CaaS2
- Gke2
- Golang2
- Easy setup2
- Expandable2
- Sfg2
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Cons of fabric8
Cons of Kubernetes
- Steep learning curve16
- Poor workflow for development15
- Orchestrates only infrastructure8
- High resource requirements for on-prem clusters4
- Too heavy for simple systems2
- Additional vendor lock-in (Docker)1
- More moving parts to secure1
- Additional Technology Overhead1
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What is fabric8?
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