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Red Hat puts more effort into orchestrating Kubernetes containers. Recently Red Hat OpenShift 4.5 became widely available, and the container specialist launched Kubernetes-based edge computing capabilities and improved DevOps tools for software containers. In addition, Red Hat is now working with Intuit.

Red Hat is one of the specialists for the orchestration of Kubernetes container environments. Red Hat OpenShift Virtualization plays a key role in Red Hat OpenShift 4.5. This technology comes from the KubeVirt open source project. With Red Hat OpenShift Virtualization companies are able to develop, deploy and manage applications in both virtual machines (vm’s) and containers with serverless functionality in a single Kubernetes platform running on a bare metal infrastructure.

When the vm’s are managed by Red Hat OpenShift, the applications contained within them can be slowly migrated to containers or kept within these vm’s. In this way, hybrid applications can be developed that run side by side on the same platform in both environments.

VMware vSphere

Another important new feature of version 4.5 of Red Hat OpenShift is that the Kubernetes orchestration tool can now be rolled out more easily on VMware vSphere. Whereas previously users had to configure the underlying virtual or bare metal infrastructure by hand before Red Hat OpenShift could be installed, this is now almost a ‘one click’ process.

Full stack automation

Full stack automation was already available for AWS, Google Cloud Platform and Microsoft Azure. With full stack automation, the administrators can boot the vm’s, configure the network and storage, and install Kubernetes and all other components at once. Full Stack Automation is now also available for Vmware vSphere.

Opportunities for Edge Environments

Another new feature is the further expansion of Red Hat Advanced Cluster Management for Kubernetes. This tool allows companies to manage multiple OpenShift Kubernetes clusters from a single control plane. Customers can switch directly between different clusters. This makes management easier and faster. According to Red Hat, it doesn’t matter where these clusters are running, on-premises or in the various public cloud environments.

Now Red Hat has expanded this tool further towards edge environments. This is mainly to help companies that want to push more and more AI towards the Edge of their networks. With the new functionality of Red Hat Advanced Cluster Management for Kubernetes, Red Hat OpenShift 4.5 allows customers to support smaller node environments, in this case those consisting of up to three nodes, to roll out Kubernetes. Without compromising all of the capabilities of the container platform. This makes it suitable for small environments, such as edge environments.

Other new functionality

Red Hat has also presented a number of new development tools for Kubernetes environments. These tools include improved support for remote working in CodeReady Workspaces, a preview of support for the BuildPack and Kaniko projects, and full support for Helm 3.2 application manager and the Knative serverless management platform.

Collaboration with Intuit

Red Hat is also working with Intuit. The collaboration includes Argo CD, a declarative continuous delivery tool for Kubernetes deployments based on Git repositories. Argo CD is intended to help companies more easily configure and define the Kubernetes and application environments the platform hosts.

Also read: Red Hat feels unbeatable with OpenShift under the wing of IBM