OpenShift Local is easy to install and provides a near-complete OpenShift experience on a single-node cluster, making it ideal for developers who need a quick, efficient setup without the complexity of a full cluster.
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I had previously set up a test environment for OpenShift Container Platform (OCP) using VMware with Installer-Provisioned Infrastructure (IPI). However, seeking a more cost-effective solution, I turned to Red Hat OpenShift Local. OpenShift Local brings the core features of OCP to a local environment, making it perfect for development and testing. OpenShift Local is easy to install and provides a near-complete OpenShift experience on a single-node cluster, making it ideal for developers who need a quick, efficient setup without the complexity of a full cluster.
When I first installed OpenShift Local, I was immediately impressed by how well it’s optimized for development and testing. OpenShift Container Platform (OCP) is a Kubernetes-based platform that automates the deployment and management of containerized applications, and OpenShift Local functions as a miniaturized version of OCP. Despite being a single-node cluster, it offers the Web console, oc CLI, and internal registry, making it feel like a full OpenShift experience on my local machine.
Of course, OpenShift Local is designed for development and testing, which means it may not be suitable for production environments. Its single-node configuration limits scalability, and it’s not ideal for scenarios that require persistent storage or high availability. Nevertheless, for experimenting and development, I found it to be an invaluable tool.
On the other hand, MicroShift is designed for resource-constrained environments, particularly edge computing. While OpenShift Local focuses on delivering the OCP experience locally, MicroShift streamlines the core OpenShift functions, optimizing them for smaller devices and limited resources. Both tools are well-designed for their respective purposes, but in my use case, OpenShift Local proved to be more beneficial.
Red Hat OpenShift Local is a powerful tool for developers looking to experience OpenShift in a local environment. It’s easy to install, provides all the key features needed for testing and learning, and is perfect for those who want a cost-effective, streamlined OpenShift experience. While MicroShift may be better suited for resource-limited production environments, OpenShift Local remains my go-to choice for local development.