Kubernetes and containerized applications are rapidly growing in popularity across enterprises. Despite being around for over a decade, Kubernetes is now expected to become a mainstream component of IT architecture as organizations increasingly utilize cloud-native applications.
However, the adoption of Kubernetes, particularly in terms of storage and data protection, presents challenges for IT organizations. While containers were initially designed as stateless, most enterprise applications are stateful and require data storage and protection. Additionally, Kubernetes-based applications need to be included in enterprise disaster recovery plans.
Industry analysts offer insights on the prospects for Kubernetes in the enterprise, its readiness for stateful use cases, and the implications for IT teams.
How prevalent is Kubernetes in the enterprise?
Kubernetes adoption is on the rise, especially in larger organizations. Analysts’ estimates vary, with some suggesting that the data on the interest in Kubernetes may exceed actual adoption rates. While Gartner forecasts that less than half of global organizations were running containerized applications in production in 2023, they predict that 95% of organizations will be doing so by 2029. ESG’s research showed that 67% of firms were using containers for production applications in 2023, with the rest planning to do so in the future.
Despite the growth in adoption, there are obstacles to Kubernetes deployment. Containers can be complex and challenging to move into the production environment. Issues such as a lack of skills, mature DevOps practices, and operational challenges with large-scale deployments can hinder the success of Kubernetes implementation.
One of the major hurdles is the complexity of Kubernetes, as well as the various deployment options available. Stateful Kubernetes deployments are still evolving and may not be as mature as the original stateless concept. Organizations struggle with data storage, backup, and recovery within Kubernetes, with persistent storage feeling like an add-on to the project.
To address these challenges, organizations need to focus on better monitoring, observability, and visibility in Kubernetes environments. Simplifying deployment and management processes can make Kubernetes more robust, while future advancements in backup and recovery tools are expected to provide better support for Kubernetes-based applications.