Understanding differences between the Kapsule and Kosmos managed Kubernetes services
Scaleway offers the following managed Kubernetes solutions: Kapsule and Kosmos. While both simplify Kubernetes deployment and management, they address different use cases. The following sections provide a detailed comparison of the Kapsule and Kosmos services.
Kubernetes Kapsule
Kapsule is Scaleway's fully managed Kubernetes service, enabling users to deploy, manage, and scale containerized applications seamlessly without the burden of infrastructure management.
- Available in multiple Scaleway regions (e.g., PAR, AMS, WAW), allowing users to deploy applications closer to their target audience for enhanced performance.
- Allows users to deploy, manage, and scale containerized applications using Kubernetes without having to manage the underlying infrastructure.
- Automatic scaling, rolling updates, and seamless integration with other Scaleway services like Load Balancers and Object Storage.
- Users can manage their Kubernetes clusters through the Kubernetes API, the intuitive Scaleway console, or the Scaleway developer tools (namely Scaleway CLI or the Terraform/OpenTofu provider).
Kapsule is ideal for: Developers and organizations seeking to deploy containerized applications with Kubernetes without the operational overhead of managing Kubernetes infrastructure.
Kubernetes Kosmos
Kosmos is Scaleway's multi-cloud Kubernetes solution, designed to operate across multiple cloud environments, empowering users to deploy applications on different cloud providers, thus offering flexibility and avoiding vendor lock-in.
- Available in multiple Scaleway regions (e.g., PAR, AMS, WAW), allowing users to deploy applications closer to their target audience for enhanced performance.
- Offers dedicated control plane options, ensuring dedicated resources for managing Kubernetes clusters.
- Supports various node pool types, including Scaleway instances (x86 and ARM architecture) and external providers, providing users with options to tailor node configurations according to their application needs.
- Uses the Kilo Container Network Interface (CNI) plugin for efficient networking within Kubernetes clusters.
Kosmos is ideal for: Users requiring multi-cloud deployment capabilities, flexibility in node configurations, and extended control over Kubernetes clusters.
Feature comparison
| Kapsule | Kosmos | |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud | Scaleway only | Multi-cloud |
| Regions | Product availability by region (External link) | Product availability by region (External link) |
| Node pools | Scaleway Instances only, x86 or ARM | Internal pools: Scaleway Instances, x86 or ARM External pools: Scaleway Elastic Metal, Scaleway RiscV, External providers... |
| Node pools locations | Mono-AZ or Multi-AZ (same region) | Mono-AZ, Multi-AZ, Multi-region, Multi-cloud |
| Container Network Interface plugins | Cilium or Calico | Kilo |
| Auto healing | Yes | Scaleway Instances only |
| Auto scaling | Yes | Scaleway Instances only |
| Container Storage Interface | Yes, Persistent volumes (Block Storage) on Scaleway Instances | Scaleway Instances only |
| Free mutualized control plane | Yes | Yes |
| Dedicated control plane options | Yes | Yes |
| Scaleway VPC | Yes, Controlled isolation or full isolation | No integration |
| Scaleway Cockpit | Yes | Yes |
| Node pools upgrades | Handled by Kapsule | Internal pools: Handled by Kapsule External pools: Must be carried out manually per node |
AZ = Availability Zone (External link)