Akamai has unveiled its app platform, a robust stack of Kubernetes applications, featuring essential tools like Harbor, Istio, and Kyverno. The platform is designed to simplify deployment and management of Kubernetes-based applications by offering pre-configured solutions based on industry best practices. Akamai’s platform simplifies the activation process for DevOps teams, with all integrated services governed by a shared values schema that ensures seamless coordination.

Speaking at KubeCon + CloudNativeCon North America, Sander Rodenhuis, Principal Architect at Akamai, discusses the core components and purpose of the app platform. Rodenhuis explains how the platform builds on Kubernetes applications and adds a layer of abstraction through the common shared values schema. This setup aims to simplify configuration and installation, making it easier for teams to manage complex applications. Rodenhuis says, “It is a ready-to-use platform. So it is a matter of minutes to say, hey, I want to have full observability within my platform.”

Rodenhuis explains the role Akamai’s acquisition of Otomi has played in enhancing the platform’s features, offering greater flexibility and functionality. Rodenhuis tells us that the platform enables seamless integration of various Kubernetes applications, helping teams accelerate deployment while maintaining best practices and security standards.

When asked about the platform’s runtime, Rodenhuis highlights the use of the Linode Kubernetes Engine, which provides a reliable and scalable environment for the app platform. The choice of Linode Kubernetes Engine ensures compatibility with a wide range of cloud-native technologies and facilitates easy scaling to meet the needs of diverse cloud environments.

Rodenhuis emphasizes the app platform’s open and portable nature. It offers essential services like container registries and key management while avoiding vendor lock-in. Rodenhuis discusses how this flexibility allows customers to choose their cloud environments without being tied to Akamai-specific services, making it easier to integrate the platform into existing infrastructure.

The platform’s current status is in beta. In the future, it is expected to expand to edge locations, integrating with Akamai’s broader edge-native strategy. Rodenhuis talks about how the extension to edge environments is anticipated to enhance further the platform’s scalability and ability to meet the demands of modern cloud-native applications.

Finally, Rodenhuis discusses the platform’s role in reducing technical debt for DevOps teams. By providing pre-configured applications and full observability, the app platform simplifies troubleshooting and management. This reduces the complexity of operating cloud-native applications at scale, allowing teams to focus on delivering value while minimizing operational overhead.

Guest: Sander Rodenhuis
Company: Akamai
Show: Let’s Talk

This summary was written by Emily Nicholls.