Red Hat OpenStack Platform 16.2 Allows OpenStack and OpenShift Users to Run VM-Based and Container-Based Workloads Side by Side with Better Performance and Security
Red Hat has unveiled Red Hat OpenStack Platform 16.2, an updated version of its infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) platform that features enhanced integration with OpenShift, the company’s Kubernetes container system. This update, announced on October 13, aims to streamline the operation of both virtual machine (VM)-based and container-based applications, allowing them to run side by side more effectively.
The new integration is designed to boost performance and security across both platforms. Users can now benefit from improved network capacity and storage capabilities while maintaining high levels of performance and security. OpenStack 16.2 is accessible through the Red Hat Customer Portal with an active Red Hat subscription.
Among the notable features of OpenStack 16.2 are:
- Parallel Operation of VMs and Containers: The updated platform enables users to run VM-based applications and cloud-native applications concurrently, leveraging “bare metal” performance through its integration with OpenShift.
- Extended Lifecycle Management: The new release supports continuous feature updates without causing disruption or downtime, facilitating smoother operations and more consistent feature enhancements.
- Enhanced Hardware Support: OpenStack 16.2 introduces new hardware options, including Intel Xeon scalable processors. This allows users to build hybrid cloud environments tailored to their needs, with support for core architecture and hardware offloading using smartNICs.
- Simplified Storage Solutions: The platform now aggregates various vendor storage options and formats, making it easier for users to manage and utilize different storage solutions.
- Improved Edge Connectivity: Open Virtual Networking (OVN) now offers availability zone awareness, allowing operators to group nodes based on geographic location, power sources, and potential downtime to improve edge connectivity and application availability.
In addition to the OpenStack update, Red Hat announced several other developments on October 13:
- Quarkus Framework Enhancements: The Red Hat build of the Quarkus Kubernetes-native Java framework now includes continuous testing and a new CLI that removes the need for Gradle and Maven commands. Updates also include a revamped GUI with visual representations of extensions and documentation, as well as automatic connection of popular databases and message queues.
- OpenShift and Cluster Management Updates: Red Hat OpenShift 4.9 and Red Hat Advanced Cluster Management for Kubernetes 2.4 were introduced to ensure consistency in hybrid cloud networks. Notably, single-node OpenShift is highlighted for small Kubernetes clusters, expanding on previous topologies that included three-node clusters and remote worker nodes