Modern infrastructure environments rarely rely on a single platform model. Virtual machines, containerised applications and legacy systems frequently operate together across the same application estate, which increases the complexity of deploying, securing and operating workloads. Platforms that standardise these processes help organisations manage this mixed environment more consistently.
Red Hat OpenShift is an enterprise Kubernetes platform designed to run containerised applications and virtual machines with integrated governance, security and lifecycle management.
Why infrastructure platforms are changing
Infrastructure has shifted significantly over the past decade. Earlier environments were largely built around virtual machines (VMs) running on hypervisors, with applications deployed directly onto operating systems inside those machines.
This model remains widely used and continues to support many production systems. However, modern application development increasingly relies on containerised services that can be deployed and scaled independently across different infrastructure environments.
While containers simplify application packaging, they introduce operational complexity when deployed at scale. Hundreds or thousands of container instances may need to be scheduled across servers, restarted automatically after failures and scaled in response to demand.
These operational challenges led to the rise of container orchestration platforms, with Kubernetes becoming the most widely adopted framework for managing containerised workloads.
From virtual machines to containers
Virtual machines and containers address different layers of the infrastructure stack.
A VM emulates an entire operating system environment, running its own operating system instance isolated from other workloads by a hypervisor. This approach provides strong isolation and remains well suited to many enterprise applications.
Containers operate at a different layer. Instead of virtualising hardware, containers package an application and its dependencies while sharing the host operating system kernel. This approach reduces overhead and allows applications to start quickly and scale more efficiently. To learn more about how containers work, take a look at our containerisation article.
Many organisations now operate environments that include both models. Legacy systems, databases and stateful services may remain within virtual machines, while newer services are deployed as containers.
This mixed environment introduces operational complexity. Platforms must coordinate networking, storage and security policies across both workload types while ensuring that applications can be deployed consistently across infrastructure environments.
What Kubernetes solves
Kubernetes was designed to address the operational complexity of managing containers at scale.
Kubernetes is a container orchestration platform that schedules container workloads across a cluster of servers. It monitors container health, restarts failed services, distributes workloads across nodes and scales applications in response to demand.
The platform introduces a consistent model for deploying applications. Instead of manually launching containers, administrators define the desired state of an application using configuration files. Kubernetes then ensures that the environment continuously moves toward that defined state.
This automation significantly reduces the operational overhead associated with running containerised services. However, the upstream open source Kubernetes project provides the orchestration framework rather than a complete enterprise platform, leaving organisations to integrate capabilities such as lifecycle management, access control, upgrade processes and integration with storage and networking infrastructure.
What Red Hat OpenShift adds to Kubernetes
Red Hat OpenShift builds on Kubernetes by providing an enterprise platform around the core orchestration engine.
While Kubernetes focuses on container scheduling and cluster coordination, OpenShift integrates additional capabilities required to operate container platforms in production environments.
These capabilities include:
Integrated security controls
OpenShift includes built-in mechanisms for managing identity, access permissions and container security policies. These controls help ensure that workloads are deployed according to defined operational standards.
Platform lifecycle management
Cluster upgrades, patching and version management are handled through integrated platform tooling. This reduces the operational burden of maintaining Kubernetes clusters while ensuring that the environment remains aligned with supported versions.
Developer and deployment tooling
OpenShift includes integrated CI/CD pipelines, image registries and developer tooling that standardise how applications move from development into production environments.
Operational governance
Administrators can define policies governing how applications are deployed, how resources are allocated and how workloads interact with network and storage systems.
In practice, OpenShift functions as an enterprise Kubernetes platform. It provides the orchestration framework of Kubernetes while adding the governance, lifecycle management and operational tooling required for production infrastructure.
Running containers and virtual machines together
One of the challenges organisations face during infrastructure modernisation is supporting both containerised applications and existing virtual machine workloads.
OpenShift addresses this through technologies such as KubeVirt, which enables virtual machines to run within a Kubernetes-managed environment. This allows both workload types to be managed within the same orchestration framework.
The ability to operate containers and virtual machines within the same platform helps organisations modernise infrastructure gradually. Existing applications can continue running within virtual machines while newer services are deployed using container architectures.
From an operational perspective, this approach consolidates infrastructure management. Networking, storage and security policies can be applied consistently across both workload types while reducing fragmentation across multiple platform layers.
This coexistence model has become increasingly relevant as organisations look for alternatives to traditional virtualisation platforms or seek to modernise application environments without large-scale architectural rewrites.
Learn more about this model in our insight “Containers and VMs: Can you run them together?”.
Why organisations are adopting OpenShift now
Several infrastructure trends have increased interest in enterprise Kubernetes platforms such as OpenShift.
Many organisations are modernising application estates, meaning the full set of applications they run and maintain. Containerised microservices architectures have become more common, particularly for platforms that require frequent updates or dynamic scaling.
At the same time, platform teams are seeking ways to standardise infrastructure management across hybrid environments that may include private infrastructure, colocation deployments and public cloud platforms.
OpenShift provides a consistent platform model across these environments. Applications can be deployed using the same orchestration framework regardless of where the underlying infrastructure is hosted.
Another driver is the increasing operational complexity of maintaining upstream Kubernetes clusters. While Kubernetes provides powerful orchestration capabilities, operating it securely and reliably in production requires governance frameworks, upgrade planning and integrated tooling.
Enterprise Kubernetes platforms address this by packaging the orchestration engine with lifecycle management and operational controls.
As a result, OpenShift is increasingly adopted not simply as a container orchestration tool, but as a broader infrastructure platform that supports how applications are deployed and managed across modern environments.
This broader role becomes clearer when considering how OpenShift fits into a wider infrastructure strategy.
What organisations should consider when adopting OpenShift
Adopting OpenShift involves architectural and operational considerations that extend beyond container orchestration itself.
Infrastructure capacity planning remains important. Container platforms rely on underlying compute, storage and networking resources, and performance depends on how these resources are designed and allocated.
Security configuration also requires careful planning. Access controls, network segmentation and image management policies must align with organisational security standards.
Operational processes should also evolve alongside the platform. Container platforms change how applications are deployed, updated and monitored, which often requires adjustments to development workflows and operational responsibilities.
Many organisations therefore adopt OpenShift as part of a managed infrastructure solution. A managed services partner (MSP) can assist with cluster lifecycle management, infrastructure design and operational monitoring while internal teams focus on application development and platform usage.
Where OpenShift fits in a modern infrastructure strategy
OpenShift sits at the intersection of several infrastructure trends, including containerisation, platform engineering and hybrid infrastructure design. Organisations increasingly need a platform that can coordinate how applications are deployed and operated across different environments.
Rather than replacing existing infrastructure models, OpenShift acts as a platform layer that standardises how applications run. Virtual machines, containers and supporting services can operate within the same orchestration framework when networking, storage and access controls are designed consistently.
This approach helps reduce fragmentation across infrastructure estates that have developed over time. Legacy applications may continue running within virtual machines while newer services are deployed as containers, allowing modernisation to progress gradually rather than through large-scale architectural change.
For organisations modernising application platforms, the value of OpenShift lies in this operational consistency. The platform provides a structured way to deploy, update and manage workloads across environments while maintaining control over security policies, resource allocation and lifecycle processes.
Red Hat OpenShift with Hyve
Operating an enterprise Kubernetes platform introduces responsibilities beyond application deployment. Cluster lifecycle management, infrastructure capacity planning and security configuration all require ongoing attention to ensure the platform remains stable and secure.
Hyve provides managed OpenShift environments designed to support these operational requirements. Infrastructure is tailored to workload performance needs, supported by high-performance networking and dedicated hardware options where required.
Alongside the platform itself, we provide operational management of the underlying infrastructure and Kubernetes environment. This includes cluster maintenance, upgrade planning and ongoing monitoring, allowing internal engineering teams to focus on application development and platform usage.
For organisations adopting OpenShift as part of their infrastructure strategy, this managed approach helps ensure the platform operates reliably while remaining aligned with security, performance and governance requirements.
Your next steps
OpenShift introduces a structured platform for running containerised applications, but its long-term stability depends on how it is integrated, governed and operated across the wider infrastructure estate.
If you are evaluating Red Hat OpenShift, our engineering team can discuss the architectural considerations, operational management and infrastructure design involved in running the platform in production environments. Learn more about our OpenShift platforms
Frequently asked questions about Red Hat OpenShift
What is Red Hat OpenShift used for?
Red Hat OpenShift is used to deploy and manage containerised applications in production environments. It provides Kubernetes orchestration along with integrated security, automation and lifecycle management.
What is the difference between Kubernetes and OpenShift?
Kubernetes is an open-source container orchestration framework. OpenShift builds on Kubernetes by adding enterprise platform capabilities such as integrated security controls, lifecycle management and developer tooling.
Can OpenShift run virtual machines?
Yes. Through technologies such as KubeVirt, OpenShift can run virtual machines alongside container workloads, allowing both workload types to be managed within the same platform environment.
Is OpenShift only for containers?
OpenShift can support containers and virtual machines, and hybrid application environments where both workload types coexist.