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In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, businesses are increasingly turning to public cloud services to drive their digital transformation efforts. This shift is propelled by the public cloud’s ability to offer scalable, flexible, and cost-efficient IT resources on demand. As organizations strive to remain competitive, the agility provided by cloud services becomes not just an asset but a necessity. This transition is fundamentally changing how companies manage their IT infrastructure, making the journey towards public cloud adoption a key strategic move.

Amidst this shift, IT automation is a critical component of modern business operations. By automating routine and complex tasks, businesses can achieve greater efficiency, reduce human error, and free up valuable resources for strategic initiatives. Automation in cloud environments streamlines operations, from deploying servers to scaling applications, ensuring that IT infrastructures can rapidly adapt to changing business needs.

The convergence of public cloud adoption and IT automation opens a new realm of possibilities for business innovation and agility. This article explores how embracing public cloud services not only facilitates but also amplifies IT automation capabilities. Through real-world examples and expert insights, we’ll delve into the mechanisms by which public cloud platforms empower organizations to automate their IT operations more extensively, driving significant gains in operational efficiency, cost savings, and competitive advantage.

The Evolution of Cloud Computing

Cloud computing has undergone a remarkable evolution since its inception, transforming the way businesses deploy and manage IT resources. Initially, the concept of cloud computing emerged as a dynamic means to share computing power and data storage, eliminating the need for extensive on-premise hardware. This era saw the rise of private clouds, which offered organizations the ability to harness cloud capabilities while maintaining control over their IT environment. However, the scalability and cost-effectiveness of these private clouds were often limited by the need for substantial upfront investment and ongoing maintenance.

The advent of public cloud services marked a pivotal shift in this landscape. Giants like Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform began offering computing resources as a service, accessible over the internet. This model democratized access to high-powered computing resources, making them available on a pay-as-you-go basis. The transition from private to public cloud services heralded a new era of IT flexibility, scalability, and efficiency.

The impact of cloud computing on IT operations has been profound. Traditional IT tasks, such as provisioning servers, scaling applications, and managing data storage, have been simplified and automated. The public cloud has introduced a level of agility previously unattainable, enabling businesses to respond to market demands and innovate at an unprecedented pace. This shift has not only reduced operational costs but also allowed IT teams to focus on strategic initiatives that drive business growth. As cloud computing continues to evolve, its role as a catalyst for IT automation and business innovation becomes increasingly evident.

Understanding IT Automation

IT automation is the use of software to create repeatable instructions and processes to replace or reduce human interaction with IT systems. It’s a cornerstone of modern IT operations, enabling businesses to streamline operations, reduce manual errors, and scale efficiently. Automation is crucial for managing complex, dynamic environments, especially in the context of cloud computing where resources can be adjusted with demand.

There are several types of IT automation, each addressing different aspects of IT operations. Infrastructure as Code (IaC) allows teams to manage and provision IT infrastructure through code, rather than manual processes, enhancing speed and consistency. Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) automates the software release process, from code update to deployment, ensuring that applications are efficiently updated and maintained. Automated monitoring tools proactively track system health, performance, and security, alerting teams to issues before they impact operations.

The benefits of IT automation are multifaceted. It significantly reduces the time and cost associated with manual IT management, increases operational efficiency, and minimizes the risk of human error. For businesses, this means faster time-to-market for new features or products, improved service reliability, and the ability to allocate more resources towards innovation rather than maintenance. As such, IT automation is not just a technical improvement but a strategic asset that drives competitive advantage.

How Public Cloud Services Facilitate IT Automation

Public cloud services have emerged as a catalyst for IT automation, offering tools and features that significantly enhance the efficiency and agility of IT operations.

Scalability and Flexibility

One of the most compelling attributes of public cloud platforms is their automated scaling features. These platforms can automatically adjust computing resources based on real-time demand, ensuring that applications always have the necessary resources without manual intervention. This scalability not only optimizes cost but also supports uninterrupted service delivery.

The flexibility in resource allocation provided by public clouds further supports automation. IT teams can dynamically provision and decommission resources through automated scripts or templates, significantly reducing the time and complexity involved in managing IT infrastructure.

Advanced Tools and Services

Public cloud providers offer a suite of advanced tools for automation, such as AWS CloudFormation, Azure Resource Manager, and Google Cloud Deployment Manager. These tools allow organizations to define and deploy IaC, automating the setup and management of cloud environments.

Moreover, public clouds feature robust integration capabilities with third-party automation tools. Whether it’s integrating with CI/CD pipelines for software deployment or leveraging specialized monitoring and management tools, the public cloud ecosystem is designed to support extensive automation strategies.

Public cloud services enable businesses to significantly enhance their IT automation capabilities through these mechanisms. By leveraging scalable resources, flexible management options, and comprehensive toolsets, organizations can automate a wide range of IT operations, from infrastructure provisioning to application deployment and monitoring, driving greater operational efficiency and innovation.

Cost Efficiency and Optimization

Public cloud services inherently promote cost efficiency by reducing the need for manual intervention in IT operations. Automation capabilities built into these platforms allow for the dynamic allocation and scaling of resources based on demand, eliminating overspending on underutilized resources. Through automated resource management, businesses can optimize their spending by ensuring that they only pay for the resources they use.

Examples of cost optimization include automated scaling during peak usage times to maintain performance without permanent investment in high-capacity infrastructure, and automated shutdown of resources during off-peak hours to save costs. Additionally, automated backup and data lifecycle policies help in managing storage costs efficiently. These automated processes ensure that businesses can maintain optimal service levels while minimizing expenses, showcasing the financial advantage of leveraging public cloud services for IT automation.

Overcoming Challenges in Cloud-Based IT Automation

While cloud-based IT automation offers myriad benefits, it also presents specific challenges that businesses must navigate. Two of the most significant hurdles are ensuring security and compliance and managing the complexity of automation workflows. By addressing these challenges effectively, organizations can harness the full potential of cloud-based IT automation.

Security and Compliance

Addressing Security Concerns with Automated Policies: Security in the cloud is paramount, especially when automation tools are implemented. Automated security policies enable organizations to consistently enforce security standards across their cloud environments. These policies can automatically detect and remediate non-compliant configurations or suspicious activities, ensuring a proactive approach to cloud security.

Ensuring Compliance in an Automated Public Cloud Environment: Compliance in an automated setting requires a structured approach to manage and monitor the cloud infrastructure. Utilizing cloud management platforms that offer built-in compliance frameworks can significantly ease this burden. These tools not only automate compliance checks but also provide detailed reports for auditing purposes, ensuring that businesses meet regulatory standards effortlessly.

Managing Complexity: Strategies for Simplifying Automation Workflows

As IT environments become increasingly complex, simplifying automation workflows is essential. One effective strategy is adopting a modular approach to automation, where workflows are broken down into smaller, manageable components. This not only makes the automation process more manageable but also enhances flexibility and scalability.

Tools and Best Practices for Managing Automated Systems

Leveraging the right tools is crucial for managing automated systems efficiently. Tools that offer visual workflow designers, integration capabilities, and scalable architectures can significantly reduce the complexity of automation. Additionally, adhering to best practices such as continuous monitoring, regular updates, and thorough testing of automation scripts ensures the smooth functioning of automated systems.

By tackling these challenges head-on, businesses can secure and streamline their cloud-based IT automation efforts, leading to enhanced operational efficiency and agility.

Conclusion

The exploration of cloud computing’s evolution and the strategic integration of IT automation has underscored the immense benefits that public cloud services offer to today’s enterprises. By harnessing the scalability, cost-effectiveness, and rapid innovation that public cloud platforms provide, organizations can significantly enhance their IT automation efforts. This leads to remarkable improvements in operational efficiency and business agility. Looking ahead, the synergy between IT automation and cloud computing is poised to be a cornerstone of business innovation, unlocking new avenues for growth and competitiveness.

Despite the challenges that may arise, the path to adopting public cloud services has been made smoother by the availability of robust strategies and tools. We are at the cusp of a technological transformation that will redefine the paradigms of IT operations and infrastructure management. In this pivotal moment, SUSE stands ready to guide businesses through their cloud journey with cutting-edge Linux products and open source solutions designed for seamless public cloud integration and efficient IT automation.

SUSE encourages businesses to leverage public cloud solutions to bolster their IT automation capabilities. With our expertise and innovative solutions, companies can not only navigate the complexities of cloud adoption but also harness the full potential of cloud computing and automation. Partner with SUSE to future-proof your business, ensuring you are well-equipped to thrive in the ever-evolving digital landscape.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What Is Public Cloud Adoption?

Public cloud adoption refers to the process by which organizations transition their IT resources, applications, and operational processes to cloud services that are managed and provided by third-party companies. This move is driven by the desire to enhance flexibility, scalability, and cost-efficiency. Unlike private clouds, which are dedicated to a single organization, public clouds serve a multitude of clients, offering resources like servers and storage over the Internet. This model allows businesses to avoid the upfront cost and complexity of owning and maintaining their own IT infrastructure.

How Does Public Cloud Adoption Enhance IT Automation?

Public cloud adoption significantly enhances IT automation by providing scalable resources, advanced toolsets, and comprehensive managed services. These features facilitate the automatic scaling of resources to meet demand, streamline software deployment processes, and manage routine tasks such as backups, updates, and security checks with minimal human intervention. The inherent flexibility and breadth of services offered by public clouds enable organizations to automate their IT operations more effectively, leading to increased efficiency and reduced operational costs.

What Are the Key Benefits of IT Automation for Businesses?

The key benefits of IT automation for businesses include enhanced efficiency, reduced operational costs, improved reliability, and the ability to deploy services and applications faster. Automation reduces the need for manual intervention in routine tasks, thereby minimizing the risk of human error and ensuring operations run smoothly and consistently. It also enables organizations to respond more quickly to market changes and customer needs by facilitating rapid deployment of resources and applications.

Can Small Businesses Benefit from Public Cloud and IT Automation?

Absolutely. Small businesses stand to gain significantly from public cloud and IT automation. The scalability of cloud solutions means that businesses only pay for the resources they use, which can be scaled up or down based on demand. This flexibility makes cloud services and automation highly cost-effective, even for small enterprises, allowing them to leverage advanced technologies that were previously accessible only to larger organizations. Automation can further reduce operational costs by minimizing manual tasks, allowing small business owners to focus more on strategic growth areas.

How Do Public Cloud Services Ensure Security and Compliance in Automated Environments?

Public cloud providers invest heavily in security measures and compliance standards to protect data and ensure privacy in automated workflows. These measures include physical security controls at data centers, encryption of data in transit and at rest, and sophisticated access control mechanisms. Additionally, public clouds often comply with a broad range of international and industry-specific regulations, offering businesses peace of mind that their data handling practices are in line with legal requirements.

What Are Some Common Challenges in Implementing IT Automation via Public Cloud?

Common challenges in implementing IT automation via the public cloud include navigating the complexity of cloud services, bridging skill gaps within the organization, and addressing security concerns. Organizations may struggle with selecting the right tools and services that match their specific needs or integrating new cloud services with existing infrastructure. To overcome these challenges, businesses can invest in training for their staff, seek guidance from cloud consultants, and implement robust security practices and tools designed for cloud environments.

How Can Companies Get Started with Public Cloud Adoption and IT Automation?

Companies can start with public cloud adoption and IT automation by first assessing their business needs and identifying which processes and workloads could benefit most from moving to the cloud. The next step involves selecting the right cloud provider that aligns with their requirements in terms of services, security, and compliance. Businesses should then start small, moving a single workload or process to the cloud to gain familiarity with the environment before gradually implementing automation tools and practices across their operations.

Are There Any Industry-Specific Considerations for Public Cloud Adoption and IT Automation?

Yes, there are industry-specific considerations for public cloud adoption and IT automation. Regulatory compliance, data sensitivity, and specific operational needs vary significantly across sectors. For instance, healthcare organizations must ensure their cloud services comply with HIPAA regulations, while financial services firms have to meet strict data security and privacy standards. Understanding these nuances and selecting cloud services that offer the necessary controls and compliance certifications is crucial for successful adoption in any industry.

What Is the Future of Public Cloud and IT Automation?

The future of public cloud and IT automation is likely to be shaped by the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, the rise of serverless computing, and an increased focus on sustainability. AI and machine learning are set to automate even more complex tasks and decision-making processes, while serverless computing will allow businesses to run applications without managing the underlying servers, further reducing costs and operational overhead. Additionally, the cloud industry is moving towards greener practices, with providers focusing on reducing energy consumption and utilizing renewable energy sources.

How Does SUSE Support Public Cloud Adoption and IT Automation?

SUSE offers a range of solutions and services designed to facilitate easy and secure public cloud adoption and enhance IT automation capabilities for businesses. These include scalable Linux operating systems, Kubernetes management platforms such as Rancher for container orchestration, and tools for cloud-native application development. SUSE’s solutions are designed to be open and interoperable, supporting a variety of cloud providers and ensuring that businesses can leverage the full benefits of public cloud and automation without being locked into a single vendor.

Since joining SUSE, I’ve been talking with our customers and sales teams to learn more about how enterprises are consuming SUSE technologies. Very quickly, some consistent messages have come through—you want a multi-product, multi-year agreement to consume SUSE’s enterprise-grade open source technologies on the cloud, with the freedom to scale your solution architecture as needed.

Plus, you told us that you want the ability to switch spend between SUSE offerings without impacting your contract so you can adapt to evolving business needs with ease. 

Say hello to streamlined solutions that drive faster time-to-value

Our recent groundbreaking deals with AWS and Google Cloud offer you just that:

• Ability to purchase multiple SUSE offerings through one contract
• Include multi-year subscription options
• Ability to switch your spend between SUSE offerings without impacting your contract

This new way of procuring software on the cloud offers you stability and predictability, in an uncertain world, and making it easier for you to roll out your technology projects on budget.

Say goodbye to fragmented spending

Complex problems demand comprehensive solutions, and that’s exactly what we offer. 

From operating systems to container management, we are able to address complexity and simplify management, while providing security across your applications. 

Whether you’re a Rancher Prime customer or managing a highly distributed SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for SAP estate, we are reshaping the way you purchase software, through groundbreaking agreements with cloud providers that offers you a path to simplified procurement and significant cost savings.

Our holistic approach to procurement ensures you have everything you need in one place. 

Streamline Your Cloud Spend with SUSE: Unlocking Value, Choice, and Flexibility

But we don’t stop there. 

These strategic alliances with cloud providers represent just the beginning of our commitment to driving value for our customers. From seamless migrations to cost-saving initiatives, we’re here to support your transformation every step of the way.

Reach out to our cloud experts at cloud@suse.com today to learn how our innovative buying program can simplify your procurement process with a single agreement for all SUSE offerings on the marketplace catalog.

Edge: The new frontier of innovation

Organizations need to be at the forefront—they are looking to accelerate transformation and deliver differentiation at the edge. They face challenges, scale being one of the hardest to overcome, and have to navigate skilled resource constraints and the burden of pre-existing technology debt. They are stretched to meet the innovation demands from the business while maximizing the customer experience. 

IDC analysts remain very optimistic about the growth of the edge infrastructure market, predicting that infrastructure deployed at edge locations will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.8% through 2027. According to the “Edge Worldwide Spending Guide,” IDC Research, Mar 14, 2024, the total edge spend will reach $350 billion by 2027.

Today, we are announcing the new SUSE Edge 3.0 platform, which brings the power of open source to the edge. Using SUSE Edge 3.0’s highly validated, scalable, and tightly-integrated stack, organizations can not only deliver innovation at the edge, but also build a sustainable competitive advantage over their competition.

Scalability, security, and consistency in operations are three of the most important priorities SUSE addresses in the latest release. With SUSE Edge 3.0, customers can confidently deploy and manage at edge scale, knowing their vast number of edge devices in the field are equipped with data center-grade security built upon SUSE’s thirty years of experience in delivering Linux solutions.

Customer demands are increasing rapidly to deliver superior edge experiences

Since its founding in 1995, Danelec has emerged as a pioneer in maritime technology, specializing in Voyage Data Recorders (VDRs), Shaft Power Meters and Ship Performance Monitoring systems.

Aiming to meet and exceed its customers’ needs, Danelec adopted SUSE Edge to innovate maritime edge computing. The resulting solution delivered unprecedented savings for Danelec’s client  thanks to increased operational efficiencies, enhanced compliance, significant scalability and improved data reporting. Set to become a cornerstone of its product offerings, Danelec’s innovative, Kubernetes-based solution not only positions Danelec for compounded growth but also promises to revolutionize global maritime operations.

What is SUSE Edge, and what’s new in 3.0?

Simply put, SUSE Edge is a purpose-built cloud-native edge computing platform for managing the full lifecycle of edge devices at scale. Since its inception, SUSE Edge has been adopted across industries such as manufacturing, telco, retail, healthcare and others, each challenged with delivering:

• A fully integrated, cloud native edge platform: Increase efficiency across your edge infrastructure.
• Scalability: Easily deploy and manage edge infrastructure, from hundreds to tens of thousands of nodes.
• Enterprise-grade security: Full platform, data center-grade security to every edge device, wherever it is located.

SUSE Edge 3.0 is focused on three key areas:

1. Bring the full power of open source to the edge with a highly validated, reliable, and edge-optimized stack.

Why does a validated edge stack matter? Organizations need more than a freely downloadable stack of technology components. They need prescribed, opinionated, and tested configurations that work seamlessly in their business environment. Instead of spending time integrating, customizing, and troubleshooting, they can focus on building business value.

With SUSE Edge 3.0, organizations can take the guesswork out and instead, use a validated design with finely integrated configurations that have been comprehensively tested in industry use cases.

The SUSE Edge 3.0 stack is purpose-built to run in resource-constrained, remote locations with intermittent internet connectivity (ideal for embedded devices). Edge 3.0 is underpinned by SUSE Linux Enterprise (SLE) Micro and leverages CNCF-certificated Kubernetes distributions, K3s/RKE2, supporting the management and execution of containers, virtual machines, and microservices.

     2. Manage distributed edge environments at scale with an easy-to-deploy, purpose-built edge stack.

Scale amplifies everything—every extra step in configuration, every onboarding error, and every security flaw. SUSE Edge 3.0 further simplifies the onboarding process so organizations can truly benefit from zero-touch provisioning (ZTP). 

• Rancher Prime, at the heart of the Edge 3.0 stack, enables customers to perform zero-touch provisioning and multi-cluster management of their Edge infrastructure. API-driven infrastructure, such as GitOps-based management of Kubernetes, supports frequent additions, modifications, and deletions of thousands of devices and services without human intervention. 
• Components like Edge Image Builder enable customers to build fully customized deployment artifacts to bootstrap edge clusters at scale, even in the most remote locations where connectivity cannot be guaranteed. Full operating system customization, comprehensive network management, and the air-gapping of Kubernetes resources and customer workloads are a few of the capabilities customers can rely on.   

      3. Secure the edge with enterprise-grade security capabilities.

The Edge 3.0 platform ensures security and reliability in the Build, Deploy and Runtime phases. NeuVector supports zero-trust, cloud native security by performing vulnerability scanning and implementing security policies with runtime policing. SLE Micro is both a reliable and secure operating system for the Edge, with a pre-installed SELinux security framework, an immutable file system, and provides the ability to enable FIPS-mode, ensuring strict compliance with NIST-validated cryptographical modules and enforcing system hardening best practices.  

How do we implement an Edge solution? Where do we start, and how do we start right the first time?

Implementing an Edge solution is a strategic decision. The outcome of implementing a successful edge infrastructure can translate into exceptionally superior customer experiences, which is the desired goal for most organizations. Here is an example of an edge journey.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) aims for the industry to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, with a significant milestone set to slash emissions by 30% by 2030. Achieving these goals requires clean technologies, alternative fuels and dual-fuel vessels. However, the average age of commercial fleets is 21.9 years, meaning it will take at least 30 years before the global fleet can be renewed. As a result, the shipping industry is looking for digital solutions to optimize efficiencies further and document the environmental impact of sea-level transportation.

From this context, a major shipping company contacted Danelec, looking for a hassle-free solution for hosting its voyage optimization applications.

Lacking in-house Kubernetes expertise and recognizing the need for a sophisticated yet easily manageable solution, Danelec turned to the market for a comprehensive Kubernetes edge solution. This search led them to discover SUSE Edge.

This sums up a typical starting point: an organization explores an edge solution, does its research and discovers that a purpose-built open source solution will work best for its business goals.

Strategic foundation

“The solution we built with SUSE Edge is primed for twofold growth,” says Zenth. “For one, there’s a trend in the industry where more and more vessel owners are looking for a solution just like ours. For another, we plan to migrate our legacy offerings onto this platform to enhance their value and utility.”

Confident in the solution’s viability, Danelec is ready to redefine operations for the high seas, setting sail for a greener future and compound company growth.

Reach out to SUSE and explore how we can help you in your journey to implement edge solutions that work the best for you.

Meet us at KubeCon

We are showcasing SUSE Edge 3.0 at KubeCon EU in Paris. Meet the SUSE team and learn about the latest Rancher, NeuVector, SLE Micro and SUSE Edge 3.0 releases. Plus, check out some of the cool demos and join the Rancher community.

Want to learn more?

We recommend downloading these assets below to gain a full understanding of SUSE Edge:

• Edge Whitepaper
• Gorilla Guide
• Data Sheet
• Edge solution page

In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, managing containerized workloads securely and efficiently is paramount for businesses aiming to stay ahead. To stay ahead, Platform Engineering Teams really do need a best friend.

SUSE’s latest Rancher Prime empowers teams to seamlessly navigate the complexities of Kubernetes, from infrastructure to applications, delivering built in security, flexibility and control. It delivers everything platform engineering teams need to deploy, run, and manage their containerized workloads anywhere – from data center, to hybrid cloud, to the edge. Streamlining cluster deployment, Rancher Prime offers centralized authentication, access control and observability across your entire infrastructure. It also includes options for container security, persistent storage, OS management, virtual machine management, and SLE Micro certified Linux OS, as well as access to a vast ecosystem of open source technologies. Enabling platform engineering teams to address the operational and security challenges of managing certified Kubernetes, Rancher Prime also equips DevOps teams with the tools needed to streamline application delivery and get code to production fast.

Why Rancher Prime?

Let’s face it: managing multi-cluster Kubernetes can be a challenge. Sure, there are a number of free open source tools available, but do they really give your team everything they need? Even more importantly, perhaps, do they meet your business’ security and compliance needs? With the cost of cyber attacks rising, businesses are actively looking for software that has security built in. Rancher Prime 3.0 provides those security needs and simplifies multi-cluster Kubernetes management, offering a comprehensive suite of tools to address the diverse needs of both DevOps and platform engineering teams.

Let’s take a look at everything you get with the new Rancher Prime.

Simple, Consistent Multi-Cluster Management

Rancher Prime support for Any Certified Kubernetes Distribution: Whether it’s public cloud offerings like EKS, AKS, and GKE, or on-premises deployments with Rancher Kubernetes Engine 2 (RKE2) and K3s, Rancher Prime provides support for any CNCF-certified Kubernetes distribution.  Rancher Prime streamlines cluster operations, offering provisioning, version management, monitoring, and centralized audit capabilities.  With Rancher Prime you can automate processes and enforce consistent security policies across all clusters, regardless of their location.  Rancher Prime also includes a vast catalog of open source tools for building, deploying, and scaling containerized applications, including CI/CD, logging, monitoring, and service mesh.

New capabilities in Rancher Prime 3.0 help platform engineering teams deliver self-service Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) to their developer communities, and enhanced support for AI workloads.General availability of Cluster API and new Cluster Classes enables platform engineering teams to deliver self-service PaaS, allowing them to scale with automation and accelerate code-to-production.

Trusted Delivery

Rancher Prime now is Secure Level Software Artifacts (SLSA) compliant.  In addition, we are including a shareable SBOM (which many highly regulated and federal governments require) as it is a key building block in security and risk management as it is a comprehensive list of ingredients that make up the software components. We are also including an OCI Prime Registry that will contain the signed and trusted artifacts for Rancher Prime.

Enterprise Lifecycle Management

Rancher Prime lifecycle provides an 18 month lifecycle complete with support, security patches and maintenance updates.  In addition, we will provide you with a consistent release cycle so that you can keep up with the rapid evolution of Kubernetes.

Platform Extensibility

Rancher Prime includes  integration options for SUSE’s entire portfolio of cloud-native technologies including security, storage, VM management, OS management, and our certified Linux OS, SLE Micro enabling seamless deployment, management and scaling of your containerized workloads from datacenter to cloud to edge.  In addition to integration with SUSE technologies, Rancher Prime UI Extensions provides easy integration with 3rd-party open source technologies including policy management, observability, cost management, and platform-as-a-service.

Curated Application Delivery

Rancher Prime 3.0 introduces general availability of the Rancher Prime Application Collection, a trusted, enterprise-grade distribution platform providing minimal, hardened images with signatures and SBOMs.  By using the Application Collection for curated application delivery, platform engineers can rest assured that these applications are patched and up-to-date, have trustability of the artifacts, and meet compliance of the supply chain to the highest level of security.

Knowledge Sharing and Insight

As a Rancher Prime subscriber you will have access to world class, follow the sun support.  In addition, you will have priority access to new features and the opportunity to engage directly with Rancher Prime engineers and influence product direction. You’ll also enjoy access to numerous tools and programs to optimize the user experience, including the Rancher Prime AI Assistant providing automated, accurate real-time assistance, and the SUSE Collective, a knowledge sharing platform providing technical insight like best practices and reference architectures.

Simple, Flexible Pricing

While Rancher Prime pricing is ideal for customers choosing only certain components of the Rancher Prime portfolio, for customers planning to leverage the entire portfolio, SUSE now offers a simplified package for the entire Rancher Prime portfolio including cluster management, container security, OS management, VM management, persistent storage, and SLE Micro certified Linux OS.

Ready to Revolutionize Management of Containerized Workloads?

Rancher Prime revolutionizes enterprise container management, offering unparalleled flexibility, security, and scalability. Embrace the future of Kubernetes and simplify management of containerized workloads with Rancher Prime. Unlock new possibilities for innovation and growth. Contact your Account Executive or visit our websites to learn more about Rancher Prime and how it can transform your container management strategy:

– Rancher Platform

– SUSE Enterprise Container Management

We have officially released the first version of the NeuVector UI Extension for Rancher! This release is an exciting first step for integrating NeuVector security monitoring and enforcement into the Rancher Manager UI. 

The security vision for SUSE and its enterprise container management (ECM) products has always been to enable easy deployment, monitoring and management of a secure cloud native stack. The full-lifecycle container security solution NeuVector offers a comprehensive set of security observability and controls, and by integrating this with Rancher, users can protect the sensitive data flows and business-critical applications managed by Rancher.

Rancher users can deploy NeuVector through Rancher and monitor the key security metrics of each cluster through the NeuVector UI extension. This extension includes a cluster security score, ingress/egress connection risks and vulnerability risks for nodes and pods.

Thanks to the single sign-on (SSO) integration with Rancher, users can then open the full NeuVector console (through the convenient links in the upper right above) without logging in again. Through the NeuVector console, users can do a deeper analysis of security events and vulnerabilities, configure admission control policies and manage the zero trust run-time security protections NeuVector provides.

The NeuVector UI Extension also supports user interaction to investigate security details from the dashboard. In particular, it displays a dynamic Security Risk Score for the entire cluster and its workloads and offers a guided wizard for ‘How to Improve Your Score.’ As shown below, one action turns on automated scanning of nodes and pods for vulnerabilities and compliance violations.

Rancher Extensions Architecture provides a decoupling of releases

Extensions allow users, developers, partners and customers to extend and enhance the Rancher UI. In addition, users can make changes and create enhancements to their UI functionality independent of Rancher releases. Extensions will enable users to build on top of Rancher to tailor it to their respective environments better. In this case, the NeuVector extension can be continuously enhanced and updated independent of Rancher releases.

Rancher Prime and NeuVector Prime

The new UI extension for NeuVector is available as part of the Rancher Prime and NeuVector Prime commercial offerings. Commercial subscribers can install the extension directly from the Rancher Prime registry, and it comes pre-installed with Rancher Prime.

What’s next: The Rancher-NeuVector Integration Roadmap

This is an exciting first phase for UI integration, with many more phases planned over the following months. For example, the ability to view scan results for pods and nodes directly in the Rancher cluster resources views and manually trigger scanning is planned for the next phase. We are also working on more granular SSO/RBAC integration between Rancher users/groups and NeuVector roles, as well as integrating admission controls from Kubewarden and NeuVector.

Want to learn more?

For more information, see the NeuVector documentation and release notes. The NeuVector UI Extension requires NeuVector version 5.3.0+ and Rancher version 2.7.0+.

We have officially released the first version of the NeuVector UI Extension for Rancher! This release is an exciting first step for integrating NeuVector security monitoring and enforcement into the Rancher Manager UI. 

The security vision for SUSE and its enterprise container management (ECM) products has always been to enable easy deployment, monitoring and management of a secure cloud native stack. The full-lifecycle container security solution NeuVector offers a comprehensive set of security observability and controls, and by integrating this with Rancher, users can protect the sensitive data flows and business-critical applications managed by Rancher.

Rancher users can deploy NeuVector through Rancher and monitor the key security metrics of each cluster through the NeuVector UI extension. This extension includes a cluster security score, ingress/egress connection risks and vulnerability risks for nodes and pods.

Thanks to the single sign-on (SSO) integration with Rancher, users can then open the full NeuVector console (through the convenient links in the upper right above) without logging in again. Through the NeuVector console, users can do a deeper analysis of security events and vulnerabilities, configure admission control policies and manage the zero trust run-time security protections NeuVector provides.

The NeuVector UI Extension also supports user interaction to investigate security details from the dashboard. In particular, it displays a dynamic Security Risk Score for the entire cluster and its workloads and offers a guided wizard for ‘How to Improve Your Score.’ As shown below, one action turns on automated scanning of nodes and pods for vulnerabilities and compliance violations.

Rancher Extensions Architecture provides a decoupling of releases

Extensions allow users, developers, partners and customers to extend and enhance the Rancher UI. In addition, users can make changes and create enhancements to their UI functionality independent of Rancher releases. Extensions will enable users to build on top of Rancher to tailor it to their respective environments better. In this case, the NeuVector extension can be continuously enhanced and updated independent of Rancher releases.

Rancher Prime and NeuVector Prime

The new UI extension for NeuVector is available as part of the Rancher Prime and NeuVector Prime commercial offerings. Commercial subscribers can install the extension directly from the Rancher Prime registry, and it comes pre-installed with Rancher Prime.

What’s next: The Rancher-NeuVector Integration roadmap

This is an exciting first phase for UI integration, with many more phases planned over the following months. For example, the ability to view scan results for pods and nodes directly in the Rancher cluster resources views and manually trigger scanning is planned for the next phase. We are also working on more granular SSO/RBAC integration between Rancher users/groups and NeuVector roles, as well as integrating admission controls from Kubewarden and NeuVector.

Want to learn more?

For more information, see the NeuVector documentation and release notes. The NeuVector UI Extension requires NeuVector version 5.3.0+ and Rancher version 2.7.0+.

Open source is behind so much innovation in tech and therefore society as a whole. But we can never take future success for granted. We’ve seen an enormous rise in software patent suits over the last decade. Consolidation also has threatened customer choice.

The Open Invention Network believes greater diversity of thought, perspective and talent drives higher levels of innovation and it promotes the idea that Open Source technologies provide a new business model which distills collective and global intelligence.

Against this backdrop, I’m delighted to join the Open Invention Network board. This experienced group of global leaders makes up the largest patent non-aggression community in history.

The mission is to support freedom of action in Linux as a key element of open source and grow the community to support patent non-aggression coverage. They simply take the principles of open source – and apply this power of the network effect to combating patent trolls.

A noble and important mission.

I asked Keith Bergelt, CEO of Open Invention Network, about what excites him most for the future of our network.   He shared:

“We had the opportunity to come together as a board in Tokyo, and are continuing to make excellent progress in growing our global membership as evidenced by the fact that we recently welcomed Foxconn and Formosa Plastics to our licensing community. We now have over 3,800 corporate licensees and over 3 million worldwide patents and applications in the community.”

I’m delighted to be part of a community of leaders who advocate for open source and the freedom to innovate.  

Andrew McDonald with OIN’s CEO Keith Bergelt.

In the evolving landscape of digital transformation, cloud computing has emerged as a cornerstone, offering scalable and efficient computing power, storage, and applications over the internet. This paradigm shift has enabled businesses to leverage vast resources without the need for significant physical infrastructure, thereby optimizing costs and enhancing flexibility. Cloud computing’s centralized nature allows for the consolidation of data and computational resources, offering robust and reliable services that can be accessed globally.

Enter edge computing, a compelling complement to the cloud, designed to bridge the gap between data generation and data processing. By processing data closer to the source of its generation—whether it be IoT devices, mobile phones, or local edge servers—edge computing significantly reduces latency, conserves bandwidth, and improves response times. This decentralized approach caters to applications requiring real-time processing and decision-making, thereby extending the capabilities of cloud computing to the edge of the network.

Understanding the relationship between edge computing and cloud computing is vital for businesses aiming to optimize their operations and embrace digital innovation. This symbiotic relationship enhances efficiency, supports scalability, and ensures that applications can leverage the unique benefits of both paradigms. As we delve deeper into this relationship, it becomes clear that the integration of edge and cloud computing is not just a technological advancement but a strategic necessity for businesses in the digital age.

Understanding Cloud Computing

Definition and Key Characteristics

Cloud computing is a revolutionary technology that allows individuals and organizations to access computing resources, such as servers, storage, databases, networking, software, analytics, and intelligence, over the internet (“the cloud”) to offer faster innovation, flexible resources, and economies of scale. At its core, cloud computing is characterized by its on-demand availability, broad network access, resource pooling, rapid elasticity, and measured service. This paradigm enables users to scale services to fit their needs, customize applications, and access cloud services from anywhere with an internet connection.

Advantages of Cloud Computing

Scalability and Flexibility

One of the most significant advantages of cloud computing is its scalability and flexibility. Organizations can easily scale up or down their computing resources according to their needs, without the need for significant upfront investments in physical hardware. This not only accommodates fluctuating workloads but also supports business growth over time.

Cost Efficiency

Cloud computing introduces a shift from capital expenditure (CapEx) to operational expenditure (OpEx). Instead of investing heavily in data centers and servers before knowing how they will be used, companies can pay as they go and only for what they use. This model significantly reduces the costs associated with purchasing, maintaining, and upgrading physical hardware and software.

Disaster Recovery and Data Loss Prevention

Another critical advantage is enhanced disaster recovery and data loss prevention. With data stored in the cloud, businesses can access backup versions and recover lost data more quickly and efficiently than if they had to retrieve information from a physical device. Cloud providers invest heavily in securing their infrastructures, incorporating robust backup and recovery protocols that ensure data integrity and availability, even in the event of hardware failure, natural disasters, or cyber-attacks. This built-in resilience provides peace of mind and operational continuity for businesses of all sizes.

Exploring Edge Computing

Definition and Key Features

Edge computing is a distributed computing paradigm that brings computation and data storage closer to the location where it is needed, to improve response times and save bandwidth. Its key features include localized data processing, reduced reliance on a centralized cloud, and the ability to operate effectively in remote or low-connectivity environments. This approach not only minimizes the distance between data sources and processing power but also supports real-time data analysis and decision-making.

Advantages of Edge Computing

Reduced Latency

By processing data near its source, edge computing dramatically reduces latency, or the delay before a transfer of data begins following an instruction for its transfer. This is crucial for applications requiring instant processing and action, such as autonomous vehicles, real-time analytics, and online gaming.

Bandwidth Savings

Edge computing alleviates the need to send vast amounts of data across the network to a central cloud, resulting in significant bandwidth savings. This efficiency is particularly beneficial in scenarios where network connectivity is limited or expensive.

Enhanced Privacy and Security

Local data processing inherent to edge computing can enhance privacy and security, as sensitive information does not have to traverse the internet to reach a central server. This localized approach allows for more controlled data access and reduces the attack surface for cyber threats.

Typical Applications and Scenarios

Edge computing shines in scenarios requiring immediate data processing. It is widely used in IoT devices, smart cities, healthcare monitoring systems, and manufacturing. In these applications, the ability to process data on the spot can lead to more intelligent decision-making, faster operational responses, and improved overall efficiency.

What Describes the Relationship Between Edge Computing and Cloud Computing?

The dynamic between edge computing and cloud computing is often misunderstood, leading some to view them as competing technologies. However, the truth lies in their complementary nature, where each serves to enhance the capabilities of the other, creating a more robust and versatile computing environment.

Complementary Technologies, Not Competitors

Edge computing does not replace cloud computing; instead, it extends its functionality. The cloud continues to provide powerful, centralized resources for heavy lifting, such as big data analytics, long-term storage, and complex computations that don’t require immediate response times. Meanwhile, edge computing handles local, time-sensitive processing, reducing latency and bandwidth use. This duality ensures that applications can leverage the right kind of computing power at the right time, optimizing both efficiency and performance.

How Edge Computing Extends the Cloud

By bringing computation closer to data sources, edge computing addresses some of the inherent limitations of relying solely on centralized data centers. This proximity allows for real-time data processing, immediate action based on analytics, and a reduction in the amount of data that must be transferred to the cloud for further analysis or storage, thereby conserving bandwidth and reducing latency.

Reducing reliance on centralized data centers also means that edge computing can offer significant improvements in areas where connectivity might be intermittent or where transferring data to the cloud would be too slow or costly. This is especially critical for applications that require instant analysis and feedback, such as autonomous vehicle navigation systems, real-time surveillance, and on-site industrial process controls.

Moreover, edge computing enables more scalable and flexible deployment models. Businesses can deploy edge solutions incrementally, based on demand, without the need for massive upfront investments in infrastructure. This scalability ensures that as IoT devices and other edge-centric applications proliferate, the underlying computing architecture can evolve seamlessly alongside them, further bridging the gap between local processing needs and centralized cloud resources.

In essence, the relationship between edge and cloud computing is symbiotic. Edge computing augments the cloud by addressing latency and bandwidth constraints, enhancing data privacy and security through localized processing, and enabling a new class of applications that rely on immediate data analysis. Together, they form a comprehensive computing framework that supports the diverse needs of modern digital applications, from the core to the edge of the network.

Integration and Interoperability

A key aspect of leveraging the full potential of both edge and cloud computing lies in their seamless integration and interoperability. Bridging the gap between edge devices and cloud infrastructure requires sophisticated networking and communication protocols that ensure data can flow smoothly and securely across different layers of the architecture.

Networking protocols, such as MQTT (Message Queuing Telemetry Transport) and CoAP (Constrained Application Protocol), are crucial for efficient communication between edge devices and the cloud. These protocols are designed to be lightweight and efficient, suitable for the constrained environments in which edge devices often operate.

Data synchronization and management strategies play a pivotal role in ensuring that data remains consistent and up-to-date across the edge and cloud. This involves mechanisms for conflict resolution, data compression for efficient transfer, and encryption for security during transit. By implementing these strategies, businesses can maintain a coherent data ecosystem, where insights generated at the edge can be aggregated and further analyzed in the cloud, facilitating informed decision-making and strategic planning.

The harmonious integration of edge and cloud computing, underpinned by robust networking and data management strategies, is critical for unlocking the next level of innovation and efficiency in the digital age.

The Benefits of Combining Edge and Cloud Computing

The synergistic combination of edge and cloud computing unlocks numerous benefits, significantly impacting performance, cost efficiency, security, and data processing capabilities.

Improved Performance and User Experience

By processing data closer to its source, edge computing drastically reduces latency, directly enhancing the performance of applications and user experiences. Applications that require real-time feedback, such as augmented reality or online gaming, benefit immensely, providing users with seamless, instant interactions.

Cost-effective Scaling of Services

Combining edge and cloud computing allows organizations to scale their services more cost-effectively. Edge computing minimizes the need to constantly transmit vast amounts of data to the cloud, reducing bandwidth costs and alleviating the load on cloud resources. This model enables businesses to deploy additional edge nodes as needed, without substantial upfront investments, allowing for gradual and sustainable growth.

Enhanced Data Security and Privacy

With edge computing, sensitive data can be processed locally, reducing the exposure of data to potential vulnerabilities during transit. This localized approach enhances data security and privacy, as data that needs to remain private can be processed on-site without ever leaving the premises.

Real-time data Processing and Analytics

The real-time data processing capabilities of edge computing, combined with the powerful analytics and storage capabilities of the cloud, enable businesses to gain immediate insights and make data-driven decisions quickly. This integration facilitates the monitoring and analysis of operations in real-time, leading to more responsive and adaptive business strategies.

Overall, the fusion of edge and cloud computing offers a holistic approach to managing and leveraging data, ensuring that businesses can operate more efficiently, securely, and responsively in today’s fast-paced digital landscape.

Future Directions

The integration of edge and cloud computing is poised for significant evolution, driven by emerging trends and technological advancements that promise to reshape how we process and utilize data.

Trends in Edge and Cloud Computing Integration

The proliferation of Internet of Things (IoT) devices is a primary catalyst for the enhanced integration of edge and cloud computing. As more devices connect to the internet, generating vast amounts of data, the need for edge computing solutions to process this data locally, in real-time, becomes increasingly critical. This trend ensures that only relevant, processed data is sent to the cloud, optimizing bandwidth and processing power.

Development of 5G and Its Impact

The rollout of 5G technology is another game-changer for edge-cloud integration. With its promise of ultra-low latency and higher bandwidth, 5G enhances the capabilities of edge computing devices, enabling more complex processing to be done at the edge, and supporting the development of new applications and services that were previously not feasible due to network limitations.

Potential for Innovation and New Services

These technological advancements open the door for unprecedented innovation and the creation of new services, especially in areas such as autonomous vehicles, smart cities, telemedicine, and real-time analytics, further blurring the lines between the physical and digital worlds.

How SUSE Can Help

SUSE, with its robust portfolio of open source solutions for cloud and edge computing, is ideally positioned to support businesses navigating this evolving landscape. Offering scalable, secure, and resilient platforms, SUSE enables organizations to deploy and manage edge and cloud computing infrastructure seamlessly. By leveraging SUSE’s expertise, businesses can accelerate their digital transformation, ensuring they remain at the forefront of innovation and are equipped to take full advantage of the opportunities presented by the integration of edge and cloud computing.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the difference between edge computing and cloud computing?

The primary difference between edge computing and cloud computing lies in the location and manner of data processing. Cloud computing processes data in centralized data centers, offering scalable resources and services over the Internet. In contrast, edge computing processes data closer to the data source or “edge” of the network, reducing latency and bandwidth use by handling data locally.

Can edge computing work without cloud computing?

Yes, edge computing can operate independently of cloud computing for local data processing and decision-making tasks. However, integrating with cloud computing unlocks additional capabilities, such as advanced analytics, broader data aggregation, and access to centralized applications, enhancing overall functionality.

How do edge computing and cloud computing complement each other?

Edge and cloud computing complement each other by offering a balanced approach to data processing. Edge computing addresses latency and bandwidth constraints for real-time applications, while cloud computing provides extensive computational power, storage, and advanced analytics. Together, they enable flexible, efficient, and scalable solutions that cater to a wide range of application needs.

What are the security implications of combining edge and cloud computing?

Combining edge and cloud computing introduces complex security challenges, including securing data transmission across networks and protecting edge devices from unauthorized access or attacks. Implementing robust encryption, secure authentication mechanisms, and consistent security policies across the edge and cloud are crucial for mitigating these risks.

How can businesses integrate edge and cloud computing into their operations?

Businesses can integrate edge and cloud computing by deploying edge devices for local data processing and connecting these devices to the cloud for further analysis, storage, and access to advanced services. 

What are some challenges in adopting an edge-cloud computing model?

Challenges in adopting an edge-cloud computing model include managing the complexity of distributed networks, ensuring compatibility and interoperability between different devices and platforms, addressing security vulnerabilities at the edge, and efficiently handling the vast amounts of data generated by edge devices.

How does 5G technology impact the use of edge and cloud computing?

5G technology significantly enhances the use of edge and cloud computing by providing high-speed, low-latency connectivity that improves data transmission speeds and reliability. This enables more effective deployment of edge computing applications that require real-time processing and supports more seamless integration with cloud services, fostering innovation and the development of new services.

SUSE and Synadia are partnering to deliver a native two-node option in K3s. This joint solution, powered by K3s and NATS.io, combines services and technology capable of changing the development and operational landscape at the edge. Many leaders are struggling to figure out an edge strategy that can simultaneously leverage their existing infrastructure and enable innovation. The edge, often defined as the data processed and maintained outside of an on-prem data center, is growing into a dominant market. The challenge: Unfortunately from a design perspective, what worked for the cloud, won’t necessarily work for the edge: when solutions aren’t built to scale, emerging technologies will out-pace current capacities.	&
This is already happening as workloads go to the edge from the cloud or data center: the traditional communication layer of enterprise messaging systems doesn’t work. Many companies have invested in physical infrastructure at physical sites and, especially in industries like retail, medical, automotive, have historically wanted to have HA with a limited two-node configuration. If one fails, there is a backup. However, modern architecture replication standards require an odd number of systems (and certainly more than one!) – the HW/SW costs of which would certainly exceed the savings of true HA.
Together, SUSE and Synadia’s open innovation approach aims to solve this problem by combining K3s and NATS to bring the next generation stack for edge developers.	The solution: We’re embarking on a mission to empower customers by enabling them to leverage their existing two-node infrastructure setups and optimize their hardware budgets. This involves achieving Kubernetes high availability (HA) with just two nodes, previously considered impossible due to 1) the best practices of HA requiring three nodes, and 2) the challenges associated with etcd, the distributed key-value store at the heart of Kubernetes. Our approach leverages a combination of known constraints and the NATS messaging system to maintain system state safely and efficiently with only two nodes. While this isn’t entirely new ground (as the concept of active recovery isn’t unheard of), the innovation lies in seamlessly integrating NATS with K3s/Kine and establishing a set of application specific constraints that can be solved while still ensuring HA and resolving potential split-brain scenarios.
Why now? The two node problem stems from a previous generation of infrastructure decisions where active/passive architecture was common. These architecture decisions were likely a cost consideration. On the flip side, the computer science perspective of data survivability elevates consensus protocols like RAFT (in modern distributed databases) and PAXOS, in which cluster participants must agree in the majority to the integrity of data. Consensus algorithms allow for nodes to fail in a cluster without disruption to service. But with 2 nodes, this option disappears. Consensus algorithms solve for the split brain problem, but who owns the data if the network is cut in half? There are a whole slew of problems if you’re not conscious of the implications. Nonetheless, legacy and cost based use cases are driving the need for a two node solution.	Many industries have computers in their stores where there is only ever an active/passive set up.
The benefits of a two-node HA solution
Economic Advantages: Reduced Hardware Costs: Two-node deployments significantly decrease hardware expenses compared to traditional three-node setups. This is particularly relevant in resource-constrained environments or industries with specific hardware requirements (such as manufacturing, where fanless systems are essential). Simplified Infrastructure Management: Fewer nodes translate to less infrastructure complexity, leading to reduced operational costs and easier management for IT teams. Improved Space Utilization: In situations with physical space limitations, like edge locations, the compact two-node solution offers significant advantages. This is crucial for environments like oil rigs, charging stations, or other space constrained sites like hospital wards.
Technical Benefits: Moving Beyond etcd Constraints: By leveraging the open Kine interface it has provided the opportunity to inject alternative technologies to improve performance and scalability for edge deployments with limited resources. Embedding NATS within K3s as a default configuration simplifies both the developer and system admin experience. Flexibility and Adaptability: The interoperable and cross-industry standard K3s + NATS stack allows for efficient deployment in diverse environments, catering to the needs of various use cases and accommodating existing infrastructure limitations. This same stack can also seamlessly extend to supporting the rest of your edge-based applications by providing high-performance data streaming, request reply, object storage capabilities as well.
Reaching all stakeholders The true impact of a K3s + NATS stack, complete with two-node HA configuration, lies in its ability to address the specific needs of various stakeholders. From the c-suite to developers, standardization at the edge allows companies to innovate as quickly as possible with the least amount of friction at the edge. CXO-Level Decision Makers: Executives involved in cloud and edge transformations can innovate at the edge without the requirements of significant HW investments by using the environments they already have.
Essential for Future Competitiveness: Accenture found that 83% of businesses believe edge computing is crucial for future competitiveness [1]. By embracing the K3s + NATS stack, leaders can revive adoption and be equipped for long-term success. Bridging the Gap: The simplification and standardization of an edge stack will enable businesses to connect their digital core to the edge, unlocking the potential of real-time data and AI models executed outside of the cloud. Disruptive Potential: Disrupt or be disrupted by someone acting quicker and leveraging data faster. By connecting the digital core to the edge, early adopters of edge solutions equip their businesses to succeed.	83% of businesses believe edge computing is crucial for future competitiveness. Accenture, 2023 [1]
Engineer, Architects, and Developers: In a world of dense complexity we aim to simplify the delivery, sourcing, and understanding of technology. Engineers, architects, and developers who are trying to move quickly and solve a solution eloquently will be happy to know that the K3s + NATS industry standard edge stack they are using is tested and secure in their two-node constrained use cases. Improved Resource Efficiency: Ideal for resource-constrained environments, the compact two-node solution optimizes space utilization and simplifies maintenance. Especially with K3s as the unit of delivery – bringing together the benefits of kubernetes and orchestration. The possibilities of a single binary server deployment that encapsulates kubernetes and properly handles the failure conditions of the two-node setup are incredibly powerful. Enhanced Performance: Understanding the intricacies of two-node deployments is crucial for developers to avoid potential issues and ensure smooth operation. Workload management configurations affect the way workloads are spun up and managed during failover situations: the two-node HA configuration seamlessly handles failover scenarios, ensuring system state, storage, and message integrity. Software challenges: The software itself needs to be able to handle the failover scenarios, including things like system state, storage, and making sure messages don’t get lost. Normally, a three-node setup has load balancing, while in a two-node configuration there are active and passive designations. When the passive becomes active, it will need workload and that workload is spun up from scratch with no knowledge of the current state. If software developers don’t understand how the cluster degrades, they can inadvertently cause issues later on. Solving unique challenges customers at the edge are increasingly going to face is going to depend on developers’ abilities to move beyond the status quo.
The challenges we look forward to addressing While the core K3S/Kine-NATS integration is available for anyone to download, the two-node framework is a custom solution available as part of a joint engagement. We are actively looking to collaborate with early adopters to further define the two-node approach and continuously working to address areas like automation, hardware, behavior tradeoffs, and security considerations and we’re confident that we will unlock the full potential of two-node Kubernetes.
Automation & Hardware: Currently, setup and installation require manual intervention, and further work is needed in areas like hardware integration, storage integration, and automatic clustering. Future collaboration with hardware vendors has the potential to revolutionize future node interaction by developing an out of band way to physically plug the two nodes together. Behavior Tradeoffs: As technology becomes more complex and humans are increasingly involved, maintaining simplicity is critical. For example, while the system offers default probes and script-based user-defined probes for various environments, further flexibility in probe behavior and state machine decisions is needed. In practice, we will see that depending on the environments this solution gets deployed in, we will see additional probes and preferred behaviors change over time. Security: Managing compromised assets and ensuring endpoint security in highly distributed environments are crucial challenges as the scale of edge deployments increases. With K3s and NATS, the consistency of tech and behavior in running mission critical services from the datacenter to the edge will ensure that, as endpoints become more intelligent, we can continue to drive security to the edge. In the long term, we’re committed to removing complexity from the technology landscape and staying ahead of the curve in a world driven by the need for faster and more accurate decisions. The future integration of machine learning and autotuning will further enable this technology to scale beyond the current limits.
Let’s build the future together
The edge is not going away and two-node configurations are the key to unlocking its transformative potential. Together, K3s and NATS create a future where businesses harness the power of data closer to its source, drive innovation, and achieve unprecedented levels of agility and efficiency. This is not just a technological revolution – it’s the dawn of a new era where simplicity empowers progress and allows us to achieve the seemingly impossible.	Explore to find out more NATS Slack Rancher Slack Synadia Rethink Connectivity Come check out a demo at Kubernetes on Edge Day and KubeCon EMEA 2024!

[1] Accenture (2023). Leading with Edge Computing. Retrieved from https://www.accenture.com/content/dam/accenture/final/accenture-com/document-2/Accenture-Leading-With-Edge-Computing.pdf#zoom=40.