OpenShift Dedicated

Basic Information

• Model: Red Hat OpenShift Dedicated is a managed service offering of Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform. It is available on Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Google Cloud Platform (GCP).
• Version: OpenShift Dedicated uses the same codebase as Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform. The latest stable versions are typically aligned with OpenShift Container Platform releases, with version 4.19 available as of July 2025 and 4.18 available as of October 2025.
• Release Date: OpenShift Dedicated was initially announced in December 2015, with general availability on AWS. Its availability on Google Cloud Platform was announced in December 2016.
• Minimum Requirements: As a fully managed service, Red Hat manages the underlying infrastructure. Client-side requirements are minimal, typically involving a web browser for the console and command-line tools (CLI) for management.
• Supported Operating Systems (Client): Client access and management tools are generally supported across common desktop operating systems (Windows, macOS, Linux distributions). The underlying operating system for OpenShift Dedicated clusters is Red Hat Enterprise Linux CoreOS (RHCOS).
• Latest Stable Version: OpenShift Dedicated on Google Cloud and AWS versions 4.19 and 4.18 are available.
• End of Support Date: Red Hat provides premium support for OpenShift Dedicated. Specific end-of-support dates for minor versions are tied to the OpenShift Container Platform lifecycle, which typically follows a defined support policy.
• End of Life Date: Similar to end of support, end-of-life dates are version-specific and align with the OpenShift Container Platform lifecycle. Clusters not updated before their end-of-life date transition to a limited support status.
• Auto-update Expiration Date: Red Hat Site Reliability Engineers (SREs) manage cluster upgrades, which can be scheduled automatically or manually. Critical patch updates may be applied automatically by SREs if not updated within 72 hours.
• License Type: Subscription License.
• Deployment Model: Fully managed service hosted by Red Hat on Amazon Web Services (AWS) or Google Cloud Platform (GCP). Customers can choose between a Standard pricing model (Red Hat manages cloud vendor payments) or a Customer Cloud Subscription (CCS) model (customer pays cloud vendor directly).

Analysis of Basic Information: Red Hat OpenShift Dedicated is a robust, fully managed Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) offering built on Kubernetes and Red Hat Enterprise Linux CoreOS. Its managed nature significantly reduces operational overhead for customers, allowing them to focus on application development rather than infrastructure management. The subscription-based model and flexible deployment options (Standard or CCS) cater to different organizational procurement preferences. Continuous updates and Red Hat's SRE team ensure the platform remains current and secure, though customers must be aware of version lifecycles for their applications.

Technical Requirements

• RAM: Worker nodes are available with various RAM configurations, such as 128 GB per node for R5.4Xlarge compute nodes. Control plane and infrastructure nodes are managed by Red Hat, with sizing automatically determined by the compute node count.
• Processor: Worker nodes are available with various vCPU configurations, such as 16 vCPUs per node for R5.4Xlarge compute nodes.
• Storage: Offers SSD-based persistent storage, with initial offerings including 100GB. Persistent volumes can be provisioned using Container Storage Interface (CSI) drivers, such as for Google Compute Platform (GCP) Filestore Storage.
• Display: Not directly applicable to the service, but a standard web browser is required for console access.
• Ports: Requires internet access for installation and upgrades. Specific network ports are configured for API access and cluster communication, often integrating with virtual private cloud (VPC) functions.
• Operating System: The underlying operating system for cluster machines is Red Hat Enterprise Linux CoreOS (RHCOS). Client-side operating system requirements are flexible for management tools.

Analysis of Technical Requirements: As a managed service, the technical requirements primarily concern the application nodes and client access. Red Hat handles the complex sizing and management of control plane and infrastructure nodes, scaling them as needed. Customers provision worker nodes based on their application needs, with options for various vCPU and RAM configurations. The service integrates with cloud provider storage and networking, offering flexibility and scalability. Client-side requirements are minimal, focusing on standard web and CLI access.

Support & Compatibility

• Latest Version: OpenShift Dedicated versions 4.19 and 4.18 are available on AWS and Google Cloud.
• OS Support: The service runs on Red Hat Enterprise Linux CoreOS (RHCOS). Client-side tools support common operating systems.
• End of Support Date: Specific end-of-support dates are tied to the OpenShift Container Platform lifecycle. Red Hat provides premium support and manages upgrades.
• Localization: Red Hat provides documentation and support in multiple languages, but specific localization for the OpenShift Dedicated console or services is not explicitly detailed in the search results.
• Available Drivers: For persistent storage, Container Storage Interface (CSI) drivers are available, such as for GCP Filestore Storage.

Analysis of Overall Support & Compatibility Status: Red Hat OpenShift Dedicated offers comprehensive support and high compatibility. It is professionally managed by Red Hat's Site Reliability Engineering (SRE) team, providing 24x7 support and proactive management of the cluster lifecycle, including maintenance and security patching. The service is hosted on major public clouds (AWS and GCP), ensuring broad compatibility with cloud ecosystems. Red Hat guarantees a 99.95% uptime SLA for fully supported entitlements. Compatibility with various cloud services and add-ons like OpenShift AI and OpenShift Virtualization further enhances its utility.

Security Status

• Security Features: Includes multi-tenancy for container hosts and the platform, using Linux namespaces, SELinux, CGroups, and Secure Computing Mode (seccomp) for container isolation. Offers secure container registries, management of secure container deployments (preventing root execution by default), and encrypted traffic to the control plane. Supports FIPS 140-2 Level 1 compliant encryption modules.
• Known Vulnerabilities: Red Hat proactively manages and patches for bugs and vulnerabilities in OpenShift Container Platform software and the underlying RHCOS. Critical patch updates are applied automatically by SREs if not addressed by customers within 72 hours.
• Blacklist Status: Not applicable as a managed service; security focuses on preventing vulnerabilities within the platform and its components.
• Certifications: Compliant with industry standards and regulations including HIPAA, ISO 27001, ISO 27017, ISO 27018, PCI DSS, SOC 2 Type 2, and SOC 3.
• Encryption Support: All traffic to the control plane is encrypted. Application traffic is encrypted with Red Hat OpenShift Service Mesh. Strong encryption controls protect sensitive data, including platform secrets and application configuration data.
• Authentication Methods: Supports OAuth access tokens, with the OpenShift Dedicated control plane including a built-in OAuth server. Configurable identity providers include htpasswd, Request Header, LDAP, Active Directory, GitHub/GitHub Enterprise, GitLab, Google, Keystone, and OpenID Connect. Workload Identity Federation (WIF) is recommended for enhanced security on Google Cloud.
• General Recommendations: Red Hat recommends configuring identity providers, removing the default kubeadmin user after setup, and managing authorization within OpenShift using Role-Based Access Control (RBAC). Strict network isolation and restricting access to endpoints are also key.

Analysis on the Overall Security Rating: Red Hat OpenShift Dedicated boasts a strong security posture, leveraging Red Hat's expertise in enterprise-grade open-source solutions. The platform is built on a foundation of Red Hat Enterprise Linux CoreOS, designed for immutability and security. Comprehensive security features, including multi-tenancy, encryption, and robust authentication/authorization mechanisms, are integrated throughout the stack. Red Hat's adherence to numerous compliance certifications (HIPAA, ISO, PCI DSS, SOC 2 Type 2) demonstrates a commitment to safeguarding customer data and meeting stringent industry standards. The managed nature, with Red Hat SREs handling proactive patching and incident response, further enhances the overall security rating.

Performance & Benchmarks

• Benchmark Scores: While specific public benchmark scores for OpenShift Dedicated are not readily available, OpenShift in general is designed for high performance and scalability. Red Hat claims benefits such as 66% faster application delivery times and 50% improved operational efficiency.
• Real-world Performance Metrics: Offers high availability with a 99.95% uptime service-level agreement (SLA). Designed for rapid application deployment and scaling across cloud providers and geographies. Supports both scale-up and scale-out mechanisms for worker nodes.
• Power Consumption: Not directly applicable as a managed cloud service; power consumption is handled by the underlying cloud providers (AWS, GCP).
• Carbon Footprint: Not directly applicable; the carbon footprint is dependent on the chosen cloud provider and their sustainability initiatives.
• Comparison with Similar Assets:
  • Azure Red Hat OpenShift (ARO): Jointly managed and supported by Red Hat and Microsoft, deployed on Azure.
  • Red Hat OpenShift Service on AWS (ROSA): Jointly managed and supported by Red Hat and AWS, deployed on AWS.
  • Self-managed OpenShift Container Platform: Offers granular control on customer's own infrastructure, but requires customer to manage the platform. OpenShift Dedicated uses the same codebase but is hosted and managed by Red Hat.

Analysis of the Overall Performance Status: Red Hat OpenShift Dedicated is engineered for high performance, scalability, and reliability, crucial for enterprise-grade applications. The 99.95% uptime SLA underscores its commitment to availability. Its architecture, built on Kubernetes and managed by Red Hat SREs, allows for dynamic scaling of worker nodes to meet demand, ensuring consistent application performance. The service provides a streamlined developer experience, enabling faster application delivery and improved operational efficiency. While direct benchmark figures are not widely publicized for the managed service, its foundation on the robust OpenShift Container Platform and its managed nature imply strong performance characteristics, making it suitable for demanding workloads.

User Reviews & Feedback

User reviews and feedback for Red Hat OpenShift Dedicated generally highlight its strengths in reducing operational complexity and accelerating application development. Customers appreciate the fully managed aspect, which allows their teams to focus on innovation rather than infrastructure management. The 24x7 support from Red Hat's SRE team is a frequently cited benefit, ensuring high availability and proactive issue resolution.

• Strengths:
  • Reduced operational overhead and complexity due to full management by Red Hat.
  • Accelerated time to value and faster application delivery.
  • High availability with a guaranteed 99.95% SLA.
  • Strong security and compliance features, meeting various industry standards.
  • Consistent OpenShift experience across hybrid cloud environments.
  • Expert support from Red Hat Site Reliability Engineers.
• Weaknesses:
  • While not explicitly stated as weaknesses in the provided snippets, potential considerations for users might include cost compared to self-managed solutions or the degree of control over the underlying infrastructure, which is abstracted away by the managed service model.
  • Trial clusters do not come with an uptime SLA and are self-supported.
• Recommended Use Cases:
  • Organizations seeking to quickly build, deploy, and scale applications without managing the underlying Kubernetes infrastructure.
  • Enterprises looking for a secure, compliant, and highly available platform for containerized workloads.
  • Companies already invested in the Red Hat ecosystem or those prioritizing Red Hat's expertise and support.
  • Teams aiming to streamline DevOps workflows and focus on application innovation.

Summary

Red Hat OpenShift Dedicated is a comprehensive, fully managed Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) offering that provides Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform clusters hosted on Amazon Web Services (AWS) or Google Cloud Platform (GCP). It is designed to significantly reduce the operational burden on enterprises by offloading the management of Kubernetes infrastructure to Red Hat's Site Reliability Engineering (SRE) team.

The service excels in its ease of use, allowing organizations to accelerate application development and deployment with a turnkey solution. Key strengths include its high availability, backed by a 99.95% uptime SLA, and robust security features that ensure compliance with numerous industry standards such as HIPAA, ISO 27001, PCI DSS, and SOC 2 Type 2. Red Hat's proactive management of the cluster lifecycle, including patching and upgrades, frees customer teams to focus on innovation.

While the managed nature abstracts away much of the underlying infrastructure, customers retain control over their applications and can scale worker nodes according to their needs. Authentication is flexible, supporting various identity providers and leveraging OAuth access tokens for secure API interactions. The platform's compatibility with cloud provider services and its consistent experience across hybrid cloud environments make it a versatile choice for modern application strategies.

Potential considerations might involve the cost structure compared to self-managed alternatives and the level of direct infrastructure control, which is intentionally limited in a fully managed service. However, for organizations prioritizing speed, security, compliance, and reduced operational complexity, Red Hat OpenShift Dedicated presents a compelling solution for deploying and scaling containerized applications. It is particularly well-suited for enterprises that value Red Hat's expertise and integrated support.

Information provided is based on publicly available data and may vary depending on specific device configurations. For up-to-date information, please consult official manufacturer resources.