Packaging Applications and Services with Kubernetes Operators

Package applications and services for Kubernetes with the Operator framework. 

Developing Operators

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Operators give you a convenient way to package, deploy, manage and distribute applications for Kubernetes. The method allows you to package configuration so that users can deploy operators from a simple catalog without having to engage administrators. You can distribute operators beyond your organization using OperatorHub.io which is open to all contributions or the Red Hat OpenShift OperatorHub using Red Hat's certification process. 

Download Operator-SDK binary 

Operator maturity model

Conceptually, an Operator takes human operational knowledge and encodes it into software that is more easily packaged and shared with consumers. How you approach and build your Operator is up to you. Advanced Operators are designed to handle upgrades seamlessly, react to failures automatically, and not take shortcuts, such as skipping a software backup process to save time.

A Kubernetes application is both deployed on Kubernetes and managed using the Kubernetes APIs and kubectl/oc tooling. You can think of Operators as the runtime that manages this type of application on Kubernetes.

Get started building your operator resources

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Kubernetes Operators Best Practices

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Kubernetes Operators e-book

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Introduction to the Kubernetes Operator Framework

Getting started with Golang Operators article feature image

Getting started with Golang Operators by using Operator SDK

Kubernetes Operators in Depth feature image

Kubernetes Operators in Depth

Advanced Helm support in the OpenShift 4.5 web console feature image

Advanced Helm support in the OpenShift 4.5 web console

More for developers in the new Red Hat OpenShift 4.6 web console feature image

More for developers in the new Red Hat OpenShift 4.6 web console

5 tips for developing Kubernetes Operators with the new Operator SDK feature image

5 tips for developing Kubernetes Operators with the new Operator SDK

Hands-on Operator labs

Interactive Tutorial

Operator SDK with Helm

Create a CockroachDB Operator from an existing CockroachDB Helm chart,...

Interactive Tutorial

Manage the etcd Operator

Manage etcd clusters on Kubernetes and automate resize, failover, and upgrade...

Interactive Tutorial

Install the Operator Lifecycle Manager

Install the Operator Lifecycle Manager in an OpenShift environment, access...

Technology partners: Publish on OpenShift OperatorHub

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Red Hat Partner Connect is a program for technology partners—ISVs, SIs, and VARs—that provides software, tools, and other technical resources for your development work, and marketing resources for your marketing & sales colleagues.

Certify your Operator with Red Hat Partner Connect

When you publish, you get:

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Seal of approval

Your Operator functionality is verified by Red Hat.

Faster

Promotion

Listed in Red Hat OpenShift OperatorHub and Red Hat Ecosystem Catalog for all customers to see and download.

RHEL Release

Continuous certification

Using Red Hat Certification Build Service APIs means continuous security compliance—great for CI/CD.

RHEL Release

Support coverage

Full Red Hat support for the foundation of Operators and their containers when used with Red Hat OpenShift.

Operator videos

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OpenShift Commons Briefing with Daniel Messer: State of Operators

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Red Hat OpenShift: Operators Framework

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Intro: Operator Framework BoF

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SRE principles and (Kubernetes) Operator practice

New articles about Operators

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Article

How to install and upgrade Data Grid 8 Operator

Francisco De Melo Junior +1

Learn how to install and upgrade Data Grid Operator, which simplifies the process of creating and managing Data Grid clusters on Red Hat OpenShift.

More articles about Operators

Adventures Aboard the Kluster Kruise Ship

This story uses a series of metaphors to introduce the concept of Operators, explain how they aid in the automation of clusters, and provide a high-level overview of Operator Lifecycle Management in a way that anyone can understand. Readers will meet Kate the octopus, esteemed cruise ship director, who finds herself overwhelmed with the responsibilities associated with her position.

Get a copy of the book

Interested in the operator community? OperatorHub is the community home for Kubernetes Operators. Find an existing operator, or list your own.