The Challenges of Kubernetes Storage (And How to Overcome Them)

As companies start to move away from more traditional cloud information strategies, it becomes apparent how challenging it can be to address storage problems that can arise.

Often when innovations start to affect the cloud landscape, they can have a transformative effect. Many early adopters rush to implement them, only to walk away feeling the challenges of upgrading storage outweigh the apparent benefits. 

There are many ways to overcome Kubernetes’ challenges. For example, a CNCF project like this one can simplify your Kubernetes storage and dissolve avoidable complications. But what  Kubernetes storage challenges should you be on the lookout for in the first place? Here’s an inside look into the common complications you can expect. 

Weighing the pros and cons of Stateless vs. Stateful

Kubernetes works the best with stateless applications, which do not save client or employee data between sessions. These applications work great under Kubernetes because they aren’t tethered to any traditional storage architecture.

Since these applications treat each new session as brand new, the amount of time spent storing data is significantly reduced, leading to much less persistent workloads.

On the other hand, stateful applications require more direct interaction with storage containers, as they save client or employee data for each new session.

This interaction depends heavily on more traditional storage solutions, which puts them out of reach for Kubernetes. They need to use the same servers to transfer previous information, and interruptions can translate to increased service downtime.

Backing up applications on the cloud is especially important to the successful operation of these stateful applications.

The challenges of persistent storage

Kubernetes is an excellent framework for allocating cloud storage containers based on which applications need and use them. Kubernetes is great at optimizing resources and facilitating improved workload efficiency for your applications.

Unfortunately, this selling point of Kubernetes also comes with some drawbacks. Removing and redirecting information storage for applications that store data consistently will cause hiccups and troubleshooting errors.

It is a catch 22 for environment managers. While better performance, flexibility, and efficiency are byproducts of using Kubernetes, performance can suffer on applications that rely on a static server environment. 

Information engineers often try to figure out workaround solutions to use Kubernetes and native storage, but these workarounds also have drawbacks.

Building your system environment eliminates the convenience of Kubernetes because it complicates the information distribution. By pinning storage containers, Kubernetes cannot reallocate them on the fly, reducing the benefits of having Kubernetes in the first place.

Many applications also run in particular environments, and if you are trying to scale your operations up, you will have to build more workarounds to address those.

Wrap-up

Hopefully, these challenges of Kubernetes storage are something you can keep in mind when deciding whether Kubernetes storage is suitable for your situation.

Deciding what kinds of apps to run and what workarounds are available for your business process will be key deciding factors in your ability to overcome the different challenges of Kubernetes storage.

Whatever you choose, cloud computing will continue to transform the technological business landscape profoundly.