OpenEBS
Terms related to simplyblock
Running stateful apps in Kubernetes can get complicated, especially when your storage isn’t built for how containers operate. OpenEBS fixes that. It brings Container Attached Storage (CAS) directly into your Kubernetes cluster, giving you full control over how persistent volumes are created, managed, and scaled.
It’s fast, flexible, and built specifically for OpenEBS, a leading Kubernetes-native storage engine that handles persistent data the way Kubernetes expects.
Why OpenEBS Is Different
OpenEBS doesn’t rely on external storage arrays or legacy protocols. Instead, it runs completely inside the cluster, managing volumes as native Kubernetes objects. That means it scales with your workloads, responds instantly to changes, and stays close to your applications — no lag, no external dependencies.
Each app gets its isolated storage. Provisioning is dynamic. Everything is declarative and automated.
🛡️ Using OpenEBS? Make sure your backups are built for Kubernetes.
See how Simplyblock keeps persistent volumes safe, fast, and consistent.
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Common Use Cases for OpenEBS
- Running databases like MySQL, PostgreSQL, or MongoDB inside Kubernetes
- Powering streaming apps like Kafka or Redis with high IOPS needs
- Deploying stateful services in multi-tenant clusters
- Supporting CI/CD pipelines that need fast volume provisioning
- Handling persistent data in edge environments or hybrid cloud setups
OpenEBS fits perfectly for Kubernetes-native databases and other persistent workloads. It’s also well-suited for disaster recovery scenarios in multi-zone Kubernetes deployments, where reliability and volume resilience are non-negotiable.
Core Features That Matter
OpenEBS comes with the stuff DevOps teams care about — no fluff. You get Kubernetes-native volume management, support for multiple engines like Jiva, cStor, and Mayastor, and full integration with tools like Prometheus. Volumes are provisioned automatically, without custom scripts. Snapshots and replication are available out of the box, depending on the engine.
Because OpenEBS uses CRDs and native APIs, you manage storage like any other Kubernetes resource — declarative, consistent, and visible through kubectl.
If you’re operating in cloud-native environments like Amazon EKS, OpenEBS handles persistent volume needs in a way that aligns with your architecture and scale requirements.
Need technical details? You can check the OpenEBS documentation for deployment models, storage engines, and architecture best practices.
OpenEBS vs Traditional Storage
Here’s how OpenEBS stacks up against external, legacy storage solutions:
| Feature | OpenEBS (Container Attached Storage) | Traditional External Storage |
|---|---|---|
| Storage location | Inside the Kubernetes cluster | Outside the cluster |
| Volume provisioning | Dynamic and fast | Manual or slow |
| Kubernetes-native | Yes | Not really |
| Performance (latency) | Low — near the app | High — depends on the network |
| Vendor lock-in | None | Usually yes |
| Troubleshooting | Easy with kubectl + metrics | Often, a black box |
| Flexibility | Multiple engines, plug-ins | Fixed setups |
Why Teams Replace OpenEBS with Simplyblock
OpenEBS is built for Kubernetes, but many teams encounter limitations, particularly in performance, complexity, or managing multiple engines like Jiva or cStor.
Simplyblock is designed to solve that. It delivers consistent low latency, high IOPS, and production-grade features without the overhead of in-cluster storage engines.
Why teams switch:
- Faster performance at scale
- Built-in snapshots, replication, and compression
- No vendor lock-in or engine sprawl
- Clean CSI integration, zero hassle
If OpenEBS slows you down, Simplyblock offers a simpler path, especially for teams focused on database performance optimization.
Benefits of Using OpenEBS
The main benefit of OpenEBS is that it feels like it belongs in Kubernetes, because it does. You manage storage the same way you manage deployments or services: with declarative configs, GitOps workflows, and full automation. This cuts down on operational complexity, speeds up onboarding for new team members, and makes persistent workloads easier to scale.
You’re no longer tied to external systems or vendor-specific tools. Performance is consistent because volumes live close to your apps, and debugging is easier with everything visible inside the cluster. Plus, OpenEBS gives you the flexibility to choose different engines based on your app’s needs — whether you’re focused on simplicity, speed, or redundancy.
What to Think About Before Locking in Your Stack
If you’re running stateful apps in Kubernetes — or planning to — OpenEBS gives you control without complexity. It operates like Kubernetes: declarative, scalable, and automated.
And when paired with Simplyblock, you’re not just choosing container-native storage — you’re choosing performance that matches your infrastructure goals.
The bottom line? Storage shouldn’t slow you down. With OpenEBS, it won’t.
Questions and answers
OpenEBS has gained popularity because it allows per-workload storage provisioning using Kubernetes-native tools. It supports multiple storage engines like Jiva and Mayastor and integrates well with dynamic volume provisioning. For other Kubernetes storage solutions, explore how Simplyblock supports stateful workloads.
Container-attached storage (CAS) refers to volumes managed at the container level, enabling high flexibility in distributed setups. OpenEBS implements CAS by attaching storage to pods, improving performance and data locality in Kubernetes clusters.
While both are Kubernetes-native storage systems, OpenEBS and Longhorn differ in flexibility and architecture. OpenEBS offers multiple storage engines, whereas Longhorn is simpler but more limited. OpenEBS is better suited for users needing granular control and multi-engine support.
OpenEBS supports Jiva (for basic needs), cStor (for replication and fault tolerance), and Mayastor (for NVMe-level performance). Your choice depends on workload demands—use cStor for data redundancy and Mayastor for latency-sensitive tasks.
Yes, OpenEBS supports features like replication, snapshots, and high availability, making it fit for many production environments. However, for high-performance needs, consider modern alternatives like Simplyblock NVMe/TCP for Kubernetes.