Many IT teams are moving towards software development standards that improve communication between developers and software users – DevOps tools are usually needed to make these changes. In this article, we will compare features of popular DevOps tools Ansible and Kubernetes to enable IT and development leaders to make an informed decision between the products.
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What is Ansible?
Red Hat Ansible is a DevOps tool that simplifies IT automation through quicker application deployment and the elimination of repetitive tasks. It allows development teams to manage multiple DevOps operations simultaneously in a comprehensive manner.
Ansible focuses on two main use cases: Orchestration and configuration management. This DevOps tool makes it easy to use one language to orchestrate conductor containers in different environments. In addition, Ansible is one of the simplest solutions for DevOps with automation and cross-platform computer tasks.
Ansible also allows you to carry out operations remotely; without it, these operations would only be possible on the command line. Ansible runs on the Python programming language.
What is Kubernetes?
Kubernetes is a prominent container management service and open-source DevOps solution for automating the deployment and administration of containerized applications. Originally designed by Google, Kubernetes makes it easier to alter application configuration and monitor application performance.
Kubernetes makes it easy for DevOps engineers to quickly deploy applications, scale them, add new features and limit hardware use to only the needed resources. Kubernetes runs on Google’s Go programming language.
Head-to-head feature comparison: Ansible vs. Kubernetes
Feature comparison chart
| Features | Ansible | Kubernetes |
|---|---|---|
| Open-source availability | Yes | Yes |
| Scalable development | No | Yes |
| Automation | Yes | No |
| Suitable for front-end development | Yes | No |
| Conducts server management | Yes | No |
Flexibility
Software engineers using Ansible can easily manage the complete application environment regardless of where it is deployed. The platform may be customized to meet your specific needs thanks to its hundreds of modules.
The same goes for Kubernetes: It makes room for numerous app environments and allows you to run your web applications on public cloud systems.
User-friendliness
Neither tool requires advanced programming experience to use. If you have experience in database and web server configuration, virtual machines, Linux and bash scripting, you can use Ansible. If you understand how your CPU functions, you can get started with Kubernetes.
Cloud compatibility
Ansible supports Google Cloud Platform, Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure. Ansible also ensures that your cloud deployments are seamless across private, public and hybrid cloud systems. Kubernetes shares similar features as it can also run on public, private and hybrid cloud infrastructure technologies.
Saves cost
Both Ansible and Kubernetes save you from the need to hire a large team of specialized developers, as both require less manpower to manage IT operations. Because the products allow for easy automation, your organization can make do with only a few DevOps engineers to manage the tools.
Fast deployment
Both Ansible and Kubernetes let you quickly deploy. You do not need to sit for hours writing long lines of custom codes to have your systems automated; for Ansible, you might just need to outline the task by writing a playbook then, Ansible will get your systems in the desirable states.
Because Kubernetes also offers fast deployment and portability, companies can easily leverage multiple cloud providers and achieve faster growth without re-architecting their infrastructure.
Choosing between Ansible and Kubernetes
In order to choose between Ansible and Kubernetes, you should consider how you plan to use these DevOps tools.
Ansible is better suited for smaller projects that prioritize automation and flexibility over scalability and complexity. This DevOps tool is also easier to use for orchestrations, cloud-based provisions and management. If you are looking to simplify complex tasks so you can dedicate your time to other software development needs, use Ansible.
If your business deploys large-scale projects or has many users, Kubernetes is the better option for you. If your top software development priorities are scalability and ease of version control, you should consider using Kubernetes as your DevOps tool.
Another reason an organization may consider Kubernetes over Ansible is that Kubernetes guarantees a faster time to push your apps to the market. Because Kubernetes facilitates the microservices and containerization approach to app development, organizations can easily share their dev teams into smaller units of experts, with each team handling one microservice. Due to the portability of each team, they are more agile and focused on different aspects of development. This allows for better app development and deployment efficiencies.
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