Container orchestration with STACKIT

More overview, less effort

A luminous, violet and orange cloud icon is embedded in a complex, futuristically illuminated circuit board. The scene, dominated by blue and red light trails, symbolizes cloud computing, orchestration, and digital infrastructure.

A container is more than just a shell for the code. It contains everything an application needs: Configurations, dependencies, necessary libraries - completely isolated and ready to use. This is exactly what makes it so valuable for modern cloud architectures.

However, the more services, workloads and components are operated in this way, the more difficult it becomes to maintain an overview. Containers alone do not create order. Only by orchestrating them can a controlled system be created. The STACKIT platform takes on this task with the help of Kubernetes. It automatically recognizes where capacities are needed and keeps even complex infrastructures stable - without any manual intervention. Processes such as executing updates or creating new servers run in the background.

STACKIT relies on proven open source technologies, clear structures and a high level of security. Find out how you too can maintain control over your processes at all times as your requirements grow.

Key terms relating to container orchestration

Container orchestration: Automated control, scaling and monitoring of containers and their workloads across the entire lifecycle - from deployment to monitoring and troubleshooting.
Kubernetes: Open source platform for container orchestration. Manages and automates deployments, scaling, resource distribution and service management. Considered the de facto standard for productive cloud applications and cluster solutions.
Cluster: Network of several servers (nodes) on which containers are distributed and controlled. Ensures reliability, load distribution and optimal use of resources.
Docker: Tool for containerizing applications. Docker containers are lightweight, portable and quick to start - a common basis for Kubernetes applications.
Workloads: Service or applications that are executed in containers. They are scaled, monitored and managed by orchestration systems such as Kubernetes.
DevOps & automation: Integrated collaboration between development and IT operations - supported by automated processes such as continuous integration, deployment and monitoring for greater speed and stability.
Management tools: Tools such as Prometheus (monitoring), Grafana (visualization) or ELK-Stack (logging), which are used for monitoring, analysis and control of containers and clusters.
Resource management: Automated allocation and optimization of CPU, memory and storage space for containers - depending on current workload and requirements.

Advantages of container orchestration with STACKIT

The introduction of container orchestration changes the way processes are developed, deployed and operated. Instead of manually managing individual processes, orchestration relies on the automated interaction of complex systems as a whole. This allows you to maintain an overview even in widely ramified IT landscapes. Find out how you can bring order to dynamic systems with STACKIT.

1 Automated management and scaling of workloads

Container orchestration takes over the automated management of your applications. With STACKIT, Kubernetes clusters can be configured in such a way that new instances are automatically created when challenges increase and shut down again when demand decreases. This ensures that resources are used efficiently. Even highly fluctuating loads can be reliably managed without manual intervention.

2. self-healing and high reliability

If a container fails, the system recognizes the error and automatically starts a replacement instance. This so-called self-healing ensures that your services remain available at all times without you having to intervene. This reduces downtimes and relieves the burden on companies both during operation and on standby - and in conjunction with STACKIT's technical support.

3. efficient resource management and cost control

STACKIT optimizes the distribution of computing power, storage and network resources across your entire infrastructure. Containers are only started where there is actually free capacity. This avoids overprovisioning and idling. This leads to better resource utilization and reduces your operating costs at the same time.

4. flexibility and portability across different environments

Whether on-premises, in the public cloud or in hybrid scenarios - with STACKIT, your applications remain portable and independent of the underlying environment. By using open standards such as Kubernetes and Docker, solutions can be managed flexibly and transferred to new system landscapes without complex adaptations.

5. fast and consistent deployment of applications

Rollouts, rollbacks and updates are fully automated with STACKIT. New features go live faster, while bugs are detected and fixed early. The platform integrates seamlessly into existing DevOps and CI/CD workflows - the solution for teams that need to deliver quickly and continuously.

6. security and governance at enterprise level

STACKIT offers security and governance functions that go beyond traditional open source solutions. These include role-based access controls (RBAC), detailed audit logs and the encryption of sensitive data. This allows companies to maintain control over their environment at all times and also meet demanding regulatory requirements.

7. support for complex multi-service architectures

Orchestration really comes into its own with microservices, where many individual services work independently of each other. STACKIT coordinates communication, network management and load balancing - even in systems with high performance, stability and scalability requirements.

How container orchestration with STACKIT works in detail

STACKIT provides a solid foundation for modern cloud computing and the automated control of containers. Depending on the security requirements and use case, three central components are available.

The STACKIT Kubernetes Engine makes it possible to create, manage and flexibly scale clusters in the portal itself. Updates run automatically and workloads are adapted dynamically - this offers decisive advantages in terms of availability and GDPR-compliant operation.

STACKIT Confidential Kubernetes is suitable for particularly sensitive applications. The clusters run in isolated environments and all data is encrypted end-to-end - during transmission, in storage and at runtime. This means that even strictly regulated systems can be operated securely.

STACKIT Cloud Foundry focuses on speed: applications can be transferred directly from the source code into containers and launched - without any additional infrastructure effort. This shortens development cycles and speeds up deployment.

Typical deployment scenarios for STACKIT container orchestration

Digital services have long since become part of everyday life in many public authorities - but the underlying IT is often still not very flexible. A municipal IT team therefore relies on containerized applications orchestrated with the STACKIT Kubernetes Engine. New modules can be developed and integrated independently of each other, and updates run without interruption. The system scales automatically with heavy use. Data protection and security are part of the service design from the outset and implemented in a legally compliant manner.

To the public sector industry solution

Frequently asked questions about container orchestration with STACKIT

How does container orchestration ensure resilience and self-healing?

STACKIT continuously monitors all clusters with Kubernetes. If a container fails, a replacement instance starts automatically. This self-healing function keeps applications stable even during load peaks or errors - without manual intervention. Rolling updates and repair mechanisms are integrated as standard.

What advantages does STACKIT offer compared to automatic scaling?

STACKIT scales applications dynamically: additional instances are started when workloads are high and reduced again when demand decreases. This keeps workloads performing and resource utilization efficient - ideal for seasonal fluctuations or unpredictable demand.

How does STACKIT support hybrid and multi-cloud environments?

STACKIT is based on open standards such as Kubernetes and Docker. This means that applications remain portable and can be moved flexibly between the public cloud, private cloud and on-premises. Hybrid scenarios, migrations and distributed management are easily possible.