Backstage has emerged as one of the most useful platforms to assist developers throughout the software development cycle. It is an open-source platform developed by Spotify. This platform has numerous advanced features to speed up software deployment and other development processes. Kubernetes Backstage plugins transform the functionality of this platform.
These plugins offer visibility and boost the functionality of the application. In today’s post, we will unveil the major things you should know about Kubernetes Backstage. Knowing these things will help you understand how beneficial it can be for your development teams to use these plugins. Without further ado, let’s delve into the details of these plugins.
Why is Kubernetes a Great Fit for Backstage?
Backstage is an excellent platform that can transform the software development cycle. Therefore, you may wonder why Kubernetes is necessary for it. The following are the major reasons Kubernetes is important for the Backstage application.
Scalability
Kubernetes allows you to scale up or down your Backstage based on the needs of your organization. It helps you get rid of all the infrastructure limitations and offers seamless scalability options.
High Availability
When you have to use Backstage for numerous development cycles, you may face availability challenges. Using Kubernetes can help you a lot in this regard. These plugins ensure that Backstage is readily available and working across different nodes. It reduces the chances of failure due to the unavailability of Backstage.
Flexibility
Kubernetes makes your Backstage application highly flexible. It enables you to deploy the Backstage on any cloud platform that is compatible with Kubernetes. It gives you the freedom to choose from different deployment options.
Integration
When it comes to software development, you must already have different DevOps tools for assistance. You cannot abandon these tools immediately and rely on Backstage to get assistance in development. Kubernetes helps a lot in dealing with this challenge.
It ensures the seamless integration of Backstage with existing continuous integration and deployment pipelines. This CI/CD integration ensures smoother software deployment and rollbacks.
How to Use Kubernetes With Backstage?
After understanding how crucial Kubernetes plugins are for Backstage, the next step is to understand how to use them with Backstage. There are different methods you can use to deploy Backstage on Kubernetes. The best methods are:
Backstage Operator
If you are a beginner and don’t know a lot about Kubernetes and Backstage, this approach is ideal for you. You need to leverage the power of Backstage operators to deploy Backstage on Kubernetes. They use Helm charts to manage Backstage on Kubernetes.
Manual Deployment
The best approach you can adopt to use Backstage with Kubernetes is manual deployment. In this method, you have to manually deploy different components of this platform on Kubernetes services. The whole process requires you to follow different steps to install frontend and backend plugins in Backstage. It offers more control but requires a lot of time and effort as well.
Third-Party Solutions
The simplest way to deploy Backstage on Kubernetes is to outsource the whole process. Hiring 3rd party operators can help you in this regard. They will assist in managing Kubernetes and Backstage by using pre-configured deployments for Backstage.
Benefits of Deploying Backstage on Kubernetes
Going through the benefits of deploying Backstage on Kubernetes will help you understand its importance. The following are the major benefits you can have from this deployment.
Reduce Operational Overhead
Using Kubernetes assists a lot in managing Backstage deployment. It saves a lot of time that you need to spend on this task. As a result, you can use this spare time to manage or monitor other tasks.
Improved Experience
Kubernetes improves the overall experience of developers. Kubernetes Backstage plugins enable developers to use and control Backstage as per their requirements. They also play a role in scaling it up or down with the changing trends and requirements. All these things ensure a better and smoother developer experience.
Cost Efficiency
Kubernetes Backstage is a highly cost-efficient option to manage the software development cycle. It reduces different upfront and potential infrastructure costs.
Bottom Line
Using Kubernetes in Backstage is one of the most advanced methods to manage and boost the software development cycle. The aforementioned details help you understand the importance of Kubernetes and how you can use it with Backstage.
