VMware Updates Tanzu Platform to Ease K8s App Deployments

VMware has made generally available an update to its Tanzu Application Platform that makes it simpler to deploy and manage application workloads across multiple Kubernetes clusters. In addition, VMware includes support for pre-built container images that make it easier to migrate existing applications to Kubernetes environments.

Version 1.1 of Tanzu Application Platform also adds modular installation profiles to simplify deployment along with the ability to instantly visualize workload status across a software supply chain.

Finally, VMware has added support for role-based access controls (RBAC) to better secure the cloud-native application development and deployment platform.

Catherine McGarvey, vice president of software engineering at VMware, says that as adoption of Kubernetes clusters accelerates within enterprise IT environments, workloads are now more frequently distributed across multiple clusters. The challenge organizations have historically faced is that many developers lacked access to a layer of abstraction that simplifies deployment of container applications on even a single Kubernetes cluster without having to manipulate large numbers of YAML files.

The overarching goal is to provide a superior experience that ultimately entices more developers to build and deploy container applications on Kubernetes clusters, McGarvey adds. Many developers today are still reluctant to deploy applications on Kubernetes clusters because the primitives that need to be mastered are still too low-level, at least when compared to other application development frameworks, she notes.

In general, VMware is making a case for an approach to building and deploying cloud-native applications that does not require organizations to hire full-stack developers and site reliability engineers (SREs) to manage the underlying platform. The goal is to make Kubernetes environments more accessible to both the average developer and IT administrators that typically manage infrastructure using graphical tools, says McGarvey. Otherwise, organizations are required to search for IT professionals that can build cloud-native applications and then deploy and manage them on an ongoing basis. In effect, IT organizations are being asked to search for IT professional “unicorns” that are not only hard to find but also challenging to retain, she adds.

It’s too early to say how heavily IT organizations will rely on dedicated DevOps teams to manage Kubernetes environments versus employing a “team sport” approach that enables engineers and administrators to work more collaboratively. Regardless of approach, organizations will have to make a decision as the volume of cloud-native applications running in the enterprise steadily increases.

In the meantime, the battle among providers of application development platforms for the hearts and minds of developers is now underway in earnest. There are, of course, no shortage of options. However, the decision about which platform to use will be heavily influenced by individual developers that, over time, are likely to show a marked preference for one platform over another. In fact, it’s arguable that the success or failure of any IT organization is directly tied to how attracted developers are to the application development environment provided.

Mike Vizard

Mike Vizard is a seasoned IT journalist with over 25 years of experience. He also contributed to IT Business Edge, Channel Insider, Baseline and a variety of other IT titles. Previously, Vizard was the editorial director for Ziff-Davis Enterprise as well as Editor-in-Chief for CRN and InfoWorld.

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