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Helm

Score8 out of 10

7 Reviews and Ratings

What is Helm?

Helm is an open source Kubernetes package manager.

Helm... some time invested at the beginning with configuration and learning, but a lot of saved time later!

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

We use Helm in some Kubernetes-based environments. Mainly as a solution for deploying existing solutions that come to us based on Helm. I can give as an example the NoSQL database stacks we use that are fully implemented in our containerized environments via Helm charts. This model greatly facilitates updates and customizations that eventually become necessary.

Pros

  • Infrastructure duplication
  • Customization of environments
  • Applying of security updates

Cons

  • Customization of helm charts is not a trivial thing
  • Too much dependent on community components.
  • Don't manage as should, sensitive values (depending on third apps)

Most Important Features

  • Scalability
  • Automation
  • Keeping infrastructure as a code.

Return on Investment

  • Speed on deployments
  • Source code as a documentation of our environment
  • Reliability since Helm is a consolidated tool with a vast of resources

Alternatives Considered

Helm

Other Software Used

HashiCorp Vault, Consul, by HashiCorp, Spinnaker

Helm - The Essential Tool For Any Kubernetes Environment

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

We are also using Terraform for deployment, but it's more suited for new deployments and specific use cases. Helm takes the lead in terms of containers software package management, and it addresses our use case of ensuring all software packages deployment are uniform, secure - from a trusted repository, rapid deployment and rollbacks.

Pros

  • Templates - The ability to create templates is really helpful and help creates a baseline for package management.
  • Rollbacks - it is godsend. Period.
  • Dry-run - This really is helpful when troubleshooting deployments and is great for testing out new charts as well.

Cons

  • It would be great if there is verbose mode in Helm errors. Not sure if it's a thing. But more detail in the errors do helps, at times.

Most Important Features

  • Reuse. Reuse. Reuse.
  • Templates.
  • Rollbacks.

Return on Investment

  • Reduction in human effort.
  • Streamline software versions and upgrades.

Alternatives Considered

Terraform and by HashiCorp

Other Software Used

Terraform, by HashiCorp

Helm: Tapping into the global knowledge of deploying and operating containerized software

Pros

  • Deploying containerized applications in Kubernetes
  • DevOps

Cons

  • concurrent deployments
  • templating values files

Return on Investment

  • developer velocity
  • uptime

Alternatives Considered

Kubernetes and Docker

Other Software Used

Elasticsearch, Kubernetes, GitHub, Gitlab, Prometheus, NGINX