Gardener is an open-source project that provides a Kubernetes-native way to manage Kubernetes clusters at scale. It acts as a “Kubernetes as a Service” platform, allowing users to deploy, manage, and operate multiple Kubernetes clusters across various cloud environments efficiently.
- Gardener was initiated by SAP in 2018 as an internal project to manage Kubernetes clusters across different cloud environments. It was then open-sourced to contribute to the broader cloud-native community.
- Since its inception, Gardener has been actively developed and maintained by a community of contributors, including SAP and other organizations.
- Over the years, Gardener has gained traction in the cloud-native ecosystem, with various organizations adopting it for their Kubernetes management needs. It has become a part of the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) and NeoNephos landscape, further solidifying its position as a key player in the Kubernetes ecosystem.
Key features
- Cluster Management: Gardener automates the lifecycle management of Kubernetes clusters, including provisioning, scaling, upgrading, and deleting clusters. It abstracts the complexities involved in managing Kubernetes clusters, making it easier for users to focus on their applications.
- Multi-Cloud Support: Gardener supports multiple cloud providers, including AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, and OpenStack. This multi-cloud capability allows users to deploy clusters across different environments while maintaining a consistent operational model.
- High Availability and Scalability: Gardener ensures high availability of clusters by managing control plane components and worker nodes efficiently. It also supports horizontal and vertical scaling of clusters to meet varying workload demands.
- Extensibility: The platform is designed to be extensible, allowing users to integrate custom extensions and tools to meet specific requirements. This flexibility makes Gardener suitable for a wide range of use cases.