When would you choose cert-manager over VM-based workloads?

When to choose cert-manager over VM-based workloads primarily depends on your application's requirements for automation, scalability, and security. Cert-manager is an automation tool that manages the lifecycle of TLS certificates in Kubernetes, making it ideal for cloud-native applications while maximizing security and minimizing downtime. On the other hand, VM-based workloads are suitable for legacy applications or when you need to run software that requires a full OS environment.

In scenarios where your application demands rapid deployment, scalability, and consistent management of SSL/TLS certificates, cert-manager simplifies this process significantly. For example, if you frequently create new microservices that require secure communication, cert-manager can automate the certificate provisioning process, reducing the overhead involved in maintaining these certificates manually.

Conversely, if you have existing applications that rely on a fixed environment and need to maintain a separate infrastructure, VM-based workloads may be more appropriate. This might include applications that require specific configurations or those that cannot be easily containerized.


Keywords: cert-manager VM-based workloads Kubernetes TLS certificates cloud-native applications