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.

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Get started building your operator resources

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Hands-on operator labs

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Technology partners: Publish on OpenShift OperatorHub 

OpenShift OperatorHub

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:

Seal of approval

  • Your Operator functionality is verified by Red Hat.

Promotion

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

Continuous certification

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

Support coverage

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

Operator videos

State of Operators

OpenShift Commons Briefing with Daniel Messer: State of Operators

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New articles about Operators

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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.