Rancher

1. Summary

Rancher Kubernetes Engine (RKE) is a supported distribution of Kubernetes that can run on many different platforms and infrastructures. Rancher is foundational in the container and Kubernetes worlds, focusing on ease of installation and setup, and supporting innovative directions around distributed cluster architectures and Kubernetes for small IoT devices.

Rancher integrates with and manages cloud-hosted Kubernetes services such as those found on Azure and AWS and has licensed its distributions to other cloud providers that are white-labeling Rancher. In our recent report, “GigaOm Radar for Leveraging Federated Kubernetes,” we declared Rancher to be one of the few Kubernetes distribution providers that focuses on federation. Moreover, it moves beyond the current DIY approaches that other Kubernetes providers require. In short, Rancher removes the complexity from the installation and set up of Kubernetes.

Rancher was one of the strongest products listed in the Radar report on federated Kubernetes. This Kubernetes distribution can support platform-native mechanisms, providing native security and native management and monitoring capabilities while eliminating the need to rely on third-party, non-native products. Moreover, the company is focused on Kubernetes distribution as a strategy, meaning that more distributed cluster features will likely arise from its product road map. This tool resides at the top of the Kubernetes food chain.