The cloud-native landscape is thriving, but a crucial aspect remains missing: a robust package management system. Glasskube, an open-source emerging project in this domain, with its first release (v0.0.1), wants to close this gap. While ecosystems like Android and iOS enjoy the ease and security of app stores, managing software deployments in Kubernetes has often been a complex and manual process. Glasskube is going in this direction with its first release, featuring a functional prototype capable of installing basic packages. However, as the journey unfolds, numerous challenges await resolution.
Glasskube takes a cloud-native approach, offering a user-friendly experience with a graphical user interface (GUI) and shell autocompletion. The central package registry and housing package manifests, forms the nucleus of the Glasskube package ecosystem. Future versions are set to expand support to 3rd party registries and enable the utilization of multiple registries within a cluster. The Glasskube package operator plays a crucial role by synchronizing the latest manifest into the cluster and ensuring timely updates when new manifests become available.
Kubernetes version compatibility remains critical, with frequent minor releases introducing new API versions. Glasskube aims to incorporate metadata from package distributors' changelogs, utilizing tools like kube-no-trouble or Pluto to automate compatibility checks and alleviate the burden on package authors and users alike.
Package dependencies pose another challenge in the absence of a dedicated package manager. Key components like cert-manager, Ingress controllers, or database operators lack a standardized documentation approach, hindering seamless integration. Glasskube allows the package authors to specify dependencies, and the package manager ensures prerequisites are met, streamlining the deployment process.
Glasskube is building a robust automated testing infrastructure for its central package registry to address the diversity of Kubernetes versions, dependencies, and packages. This infrastructure aims to support comprehensive testing, ensuring the compatibility and stability of all packages across various scenarios.
Feedback and package quality, drawn from experiences with other package managers like the Arch User Repository, Play Store, and App Store, are integral to Glasskube's vision. User feedback and reviews contribute to decision-making processes, while developers use this valuable input to enhance their packages, fostering a collaborative and vibrant ecosystem.
Glasskube positions itself as a complementary solution to Helm, the standard de facto package manager for Kubernetes. Glasskube wants to emphasize simplicity and efficiency for administrators handling multiple packages across Kubernetes version upgrades.