Apache OpenWhisk is an open-source, distributed serverless platform that executes functions in response to events at any scale. It is a project under the Apache Software Foundation and is designed to support the execution of microservices in response to events. This glossary article will delve into the details of Apache OpenWhisk, focusing on its role in containerization and orchestration.
Containerization and orchestration are two crucial concepts in the world of software development and deployment. Containerization involves encapsulating or packaging up software code and all its dependencies so that it can run uniformly and consistently on any infrastructure. Orchestration, on the other hand, is the automated configuration, coordination, and management of computer systems, applications, and services.
Definition of Apache OpenWhisk
Apache OpenWhisk is a serverless, open-source cloud platform that allows developers to execute code in response to events without the need to manage and configure servers. It is a Function-as-a-Service (FaaS) platform that supports a programming model where application logic is broken up into single-purpose, stand-alone functions that are invoked and scaled in response to events.
OpenWhisk supports a variety of languages and runtime environments, allowing developers to choose the best tool for their task. It also provides a robust and flexible framework for orchestrating functions and managing resources, making it a powerful tool for building and deploying microservices.
Containerization in Apache OpenWhisk
Containerization is a key feature of Apache OpenWhisk. It uses Docker, a popular open-source platform that automates the deployment, scaling, and management of applications, to containerize and isolate functions. This allows each function to run in its own environment, separate from other functions, ensuring that they do not interfere with each other and can be scaled independently.
By containerizing functions, Apache OpenWhisk also ensures that they can be run consistently across different environments. This makes it easier for developers to test their functions locally before deploying them to the cloud, and ensures that they will behave the same way in both environments.
Orchestration in Apache OpenWhisk
Apache OpenWhisk also provides powerful orchestration capabilities. It uses Kubernetes, an open-source platform for managing containerized workloads and services, to orchestrate the deployment, scaling, and management of functions. This allows developers to easily manage and scale their applications, without having to worry about the underlying infrastructure.
OpenWhisk's orchestration features also include the ability to chain functions together to create complex workflows, and to manage the state of these workflows. This makes it a powerful tool for building complex, event-driven applications.
History of Apache OpenWhisk
Apache OpenWhisk was originally developed by IBM as a research project in 2014. It was designed to provide a platform for building and deploying event-driven applications, and was one of the first open-source serverless platforms. IBM donated OpenWhisk to the Apache Software Foundation in 2016, where it has since been developed and maintained by a community of contributors.
Since its inception, Apache OpenWhisk has been adopted by a number of large organizations, including Adobe, who use it to power their Adobe I/O Events service. It has also been used to build a variety of applications, from simple web services to complex, event-driven microservices architectures.
Development of Containerization and Orchestration Features
The containerization and orchestration features of Apache OpenWhisk have been a key part of its development. The use of Docker for containerization was a natural choice, given its popularity and the flexibility it provides for running applications in a variety of environments. The adoption of Kubernetes for orchestration was also a significant step, as it provided a robust and scalable platform for managing functions.
These features have been continually improved and expanded upon over the years, with the addition of support for new languages and runtime environments, and enhancements to the orchestration capabilities. This has helped to make Apache OpenWhisk a powerful and flexible platform for building and deploying serverless applications.
Use Cases of Apache OpenWhisk
Apache OpenWhisk is used in a variety of scenarios, thanks to its flexibility and scalability. It is particularly well-suited to building event-driven applications, where actions are triggered in response to events. This makes it a good choice for building microservices, as it allows each service to be developed, deployed, and scaled independently.
OpenWhisk is also used in scenarios where rapid scaling is required. Because it is serverless, it can quickly scale up to handle large numbers of requests, and then scale back down when demand decreases. This makes it a cost-effective choice for applications with variable demand.
Examples of Apache OpenWhisk Use Cases
One example of a use case for Apache OpenWhisk is Adobe's Adobe I/O Events service. This service allows developers to build applications that respond to events from Adobe products and services. Adobe uses OpenWhisk to handle the execution of these event-driven applications, taking advantage of its scalability and flexibility.
Another example is IBM's Cloud Functions service, which is built on Apache OpenWhisk. This service allows developers to build and run applications in the IBM Cloud, using a serverless architecture. IBM uses OpenWhisk's containerization and orchestration features to manage the execution of these applications, ensuring that they can be scaled and managed efficiently.
Conclusion
Apache OpenWhisk is a powerful tool for building and deploying serverless applications. Its support for containerization and orchestration makes it a flexible and scalable platform for running functions in response to events. Whether you're building a simple web service or a complex microservices architecture, Apache OpenWhisk provides the tools and features you need to build, deploy, and manage your applications.
With its open-source nature, Apache OpenWhisk also benefits from a vibrant community of developers and contributors, who continually work to improve and expand its features. Whether you're a developer looking to build event-driven applications, or an organization looking to adopt a serverless architecture, Apache OpenWhisk is a platform worth considering.