We recently conducted a survey to gauge interest in enterprises adopting Kubernetes on bare metal as an alternative to VMware. The results are in, and they’re pretty clear. There’s a strong push towards bare metal Kubernetes, but organizations are also very aware of the challenges it brings. Let’s break down our results and what they mean for teams managing or considering this switch.
Bare Metal Kubernetes is Gaining Momentum
The survey revealed that 90% of respondents are considering deploying Kubernetes as an alternative to VMware without a virtualization layer. And while no respondents had Kubernetes in full deployment as their container orchestration system, 48% were currently piloting it and 43% were evaluating it. And with only 3% not considering Kubernetes deployment at all, this signals a significant shift in the market.
But this transition isn’t without its hurdles. When asked, 48% of respondents had specific security or operational concerns, with security being the most cited.
Key Concerns: Security, Management, and Expertise
When respondents were asked about their top concerns, there were several recurring themes:
- Security: Highly regulated industries, such as finance, are particularly cautious. The need for robust backups in case of hardware failures and the ability to properly configure network settings were frequently cited as critical challenges.
- Management Overload: Managing Kubernetes on bare metal introduces new layers of complexity, especially when it comes to network configurations, which often require collaboration between infrastructure and operations teams.
- Lack of Expertise: Many respondents highlighted the need for specialized knowledge to handle the custom setups required for bare metal deployments. This is compounded by concerns about inadequate staffing resources to manage the transition.
- Upfront Costs: While Kubernetes can lead to long-term savings, the initial investment in hardware, training, and setup can be a barrier for some organizations.
Why Kubernetes? Control, Flexibility, and Scalability
With the 48% ready to use Kubernetes as a standard application control layer, the main draws are control, flexibility, and scalability. While the upfront costs and operational complexities are acknowledged, the long-term benefits of Kubernetes, such as reduced reliance on virtualization and better resource utilization, are compelling.
But not everyone is ready to commit. A sizable portion of respondents (40%) are still unsure about making it a standard application control layer. When asked the reasons behind the uncertainty, they mostly cited a need for more testing or lack of staff expertise.
Other Findings
- Kubernetes Distribution: Half of the respondents (50%) are focused on open-source Kubernetes distributions, with OpenShift (33%) and Canonical (15%) also being popular choices.
- Workloads: The sample was split almost evenly between CPU-only clusters (48%) and those supporting GPU and CPU workloads (52%). This reflects the growing importance of GPU-accelerated workloads, particularly in AI and machine learning.
- Storage Solutions: Nearly half of the respondents (48%) plan to back up their Kubernetes clusters using cloud storage, while 28% prefer block/object storage.
- Timeline: On average, organizations are looking at a 6-12 month evaluation and deployment timeline for Kubernetes on bare metal.
- Repurposing Machines: A significant majority (65%) plan to repurpose their existing VMware machines for Kubernetes deployments.
The Road Ahead
The results make it clear that while there’s a strong interest in Kubernetes, the path forward is has its issues. Organizations must address security concerns, invest in training, and carefully plan their deployments to avoid management overload.
As one respondent noted, “Because it is not a packaged process, it requires careful consideration and custom setups.” This is where tools like Digital Rebar play a critical role in simplifying this process by automating tasks such as OS provisioning, network configuration, and firmware updates. If you’re considering this transition, now is the time to start planning. And if you’re looking for a solution to simplify your bare metal, including cluster deployment and management, schedule a meeting with us today!
Want to read the rest of the report? Send us a message and we can provide you with a copy!
