Mendix Cloud’s Next Evolution: Embracing Kubernetes for a Future-Ready Platform
Mendix Cloud is evolving. To ensure scalability, security, and future innovation, we are transitioning from Cloud Foundry to Kubernetes. This move strengthens our platform’s foundation, making it more reliable and adaptable for the years ahead.
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Why We’re Evolving Mendix Cloud
The current version of Mendix Cloud was built on Cloud Foundry, a technology that was cutting-edge when we adopted it 10 years ago. For many years, Cloud Foundry has been an industry standard, providing a reliable and scalable foundation for Mendix applications. However, the landscape has shifted:
- Cloud Foundry usage is dwindling, and community support is decreasing.
- While we could continue running Cloud Foundry for a few more years, eventually, we would face a lack of support and innovation.
- To maintain our commitment to innovation, we need a platform that is ready for the future.
The Future: Kubernetes
Kubernetes has become the de facto industry standard for running containerized applications, with strong community support and continuous advancements. By adopting Kubernetes, we:/p>
- Ensure a future-proof infrastructure.
- Gain a more flexible, scalable, and secure foundation for our customers.
- Enable the rapid implementation of new features that enhance performance and security.
How We Are Making the Transition
Our journey to Kubernetes began in 2023. Here’s how we’ve approached the transition:
- May 2024: We launched Kubernetes for Free Apps. This allowed us to gain valuable insights, expertise, and real-world performance data.
- November 2024: We moved all internal Mendix applications running on Mendix Cloud to Kubernetes. By “drinking our own champagne,” we built confidence in the platform’s stability and performance.
- Ongoing: We have been working to achieve feature parity between Cloud Foundry and Kubernetes for paid applications. We are now at a point where we can start rolling out Kubernetes to our customers.
When and How Will This Affect You?
Starting in March, we will begin enabling customer applications to move from Cloud Foundry to Kubernetes. To ensure a smooth transition, we have designed a controlled process:
- We will not move all applications at once. Instead, we will begin with a small subset and gradually increase the pace as we monitor performance and stability.
- This is integrated with the deployment process. If a deployment package has been used before, it will follow the existing deployment pattern. If it’s a new deployment, it will be placed on Kubernetes for non-production environments and retain the existing platform for production environments.
- Only runtime engines (containers) will be moved. Databases and file documents will remain untouched.
- If an issue arises, we can roll back individual environments to Cloud Foundry or temporarily pause to ensure minimal disruption.
