Rancher vs Rancher Fleet: What are the differences?

Introduction

Rancher and Rancher Fleet are two popular tools used in the management of containerized applications. While they both serve the purpose of managing container deployments, there are several key differences between Rancher and Rancher Fleet that set them apart in terms of functionality and use cases.

Key Differences between Rancher and Rancher Fleet

1. Architecture: Rancher is a container management platform that provides a centralized control plane to manage multiple Kubernetes clusters. It is designed to handle complex multi-cluster deployments and provides features such as load balancing and networking. On the other hand, Rancher Fleet is a GitOps-based fleet management solution that focuses on managing large numbers of clusters in a declarative manner. It uses a Git repository as the single source of truth for cluster configuration and allows operators to define desired states for clusters.

2. Scalability: Rancher is highly scalable and can handle large-scale deployments with thousands of clusters. It provides advanced capabilities like automatic cluster provisioning and management of resources across clusters. In contrast, Rancher Fleet is designed specifically for managing a large number of clusters. It excels in scenarios where organizations need to manage hundreds or thousands of clusters efficiently.

3. Deployment models: Rancher supports various deployment models, including single-node clusters, multi-node clusters, and multi-cluster management. It provides flexibility in configuring and scaling clusters based on specific requirements. Rancher Fleet, on the other hand, focuses on fleet management where the same configuration is applied to multiple similar clusters. It simplifies the management of homogeneous clusters with a consistent configuration.

4. GitOps-driven approach: Rancher Fleet follows a GitOps-driven approach, where cluster configuration is stored in a Git repository. Any changes made to the repository trigger a reconciliation process that updates the clusters' desired state. This ensures that cluster configurations are version controlled and can be audited. Rancher, although it supports GitOps practices, is not strictly tied to a GitOps workflow.

5. Lifecycle management: Rancher provides extensive lifecycle management capabilities, including cluster provisioning, scaling, upgrading, and monitoring. It provides a user-friendly interface for managing clusters and their resources. Rancher Fleet, on the other hand, focuses primarily on maintaining the desired state of clusters defined in the Git repository. It does not provide a full-fledged user interface for cluster management but can be integrated with Rancher for a comprehensive management experience.

6. Use cases: Rancher is suitable for organizations that require centralized management of multiple Kubernetes clusters with advanced networking and load balancing capabilities. It is well-suited for complex multi-cluster deployments across different environments. Rancher Fleet, on the other hand, is ideal for organizations that need to manage a large number of homogeneous clusters efficiently. It excels in scenarios where maintaining a consistent configuration across clusters is crucial.

In summary, Rancher is a robust container management platform that provides centralized management for Kubernetes clusters, while Rancher Fleet is a GitOps-driven fleet management solution designed for efficient management of multiple clusters with a consistent configuration. The chosen tool depends on the organization's requirements and the complexity of the Kubernetes deployments.