Growing software container adoption is a key piece of the digital transformation revolution. Kubernetes, which is an open-source system for automating deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications, appears to be leading the way in container orchestration technology for managing production workloads.
According to the State of Cloud Services report, Kubernetes grew even faster than Docker and other cloud container services, almost doubling the others at 27 percent adoption. However, many businesses lack the internal resources and expertise needed to effectively manage a Kubernetes environment on their own.
Eager to fill that void, Rackspace has launched Kubernetes-as-a-Service. The managed service allows enterprises to consume Kubernetes-as-a-Service across multiple public and private cloud platforms. Customers, meanwhile, can leverage multi-cloud strategies, modernize application development and accelerate time to market while gaining significant cost savings, Rackspace claims.
Rackspace Kunernetes-as-a-Service Capabilities
According to Rackspace, the Kubernetes-as-a-Service platform includes:
- “Day 2” Operations: Rackspace will not just set it and forget it, the company goes a step further by managing ongoing “Day 2” operations for customers, including updates, high availability upgrades, patching and security hardening for Kubernetes, all managed cluster services and the node operating system.
- Economics: Customers can save up to 50 percent with Rackspace Kubernetes-as-a- Service versus operating it themselves, the company claims. Customers have options to better predict and control costs, consume the service primarily in an Opex or Capex model, and the ability to locate the servers and storage wherever they’re needed, including in the customer data center, Rackspace data center, third party colocation facility, and soon, in leading public clouds.
- Multi-Cloud: Customers can deploy and manage Kubernetes clusters across private and public clouds, using a single management platform for Kubernetes clusters spanning multiple cloud platforms. Rackspace operates this, insulating the customer from the complexity inherent in spanning multiple clouds, the firms ays.
- Enterprise-Grade Security: From the infrastructure to the cluster itself, including the containers running inside the cluster and additional services required to run the application, Rackspace secures Kubernetes-as-a-Service using industry best practices. Rackspace experts fully validate and vet each component of the service, provide static container scanning and enable customers to restrict user access to the environment.
Demand for the service could be strong. According to 451 Research, the application container software market will grow 40 percent over the next few years to nearly $3 billion in 2020.
Rackspace: Regaining Momentum?
Rackspace has launched a range of services in recent months -- including Rackspace Private Cloud Everywhere, powered by VMware. The company also acquired Datapipe and TriCore Solutions in 2017. Those moves may signal a turnaround for the company, which is privately held but reportedly gearing up for an IPO.
