How does REX-Ray compare to Kubernetes Persistent Volumes?

REX-Ray offers a vendor-agnostic layer that works across Docker, Kubernetes, and Mesos, while Kubernetes Persistent Volumes are native to K8s and may require cloud-specific CSI drivers. REX-Ray provides broader platform support but adds an extra abstraction layer.

How to set up REX-Ray with Docker on AWS?

Export environment variables like REXRAY_SERVICE=ebs and EBS_ACCESSKEY/SECRETKEY, then start the service with 'rexray service start'. For Docker, use the volume driver 'rexray' or install the Docker plugin with 'docker plugin install rexray/ebs'.

Does REX-Ray support the Container Storage Interface (CSI)?

Not yet; the README states CSI support is planned for when CSI reaches version 1.0, projected for late 2018. Currently, it uses its own abstraction layer, so it might not be compatible with CSI-based orchestration tools.

What storage providers work with REX-Ray?

It supports AWS EBS/EFS, Google Persistent Disk, Azure Unmanaged Disk, Ceph RBD, Dell EMC ScaleIO, and others, as detailed in the provider table. This allows flexibility across public and private clouds.

Can REX-Ray be used in production environments?

Yes, it's designed for enterprise-grade storage orchestration, with features like distributed architecture and service mode. However, ensure thorough testing due to its complexity and dependency on external storage providers.

How to troubleshoot REX-Ray volume attachment issues?

Check environment variables for correct credentials, verify the REX-Ray service is running, and consult logs in /var/log/rexray. Provider-specific errors might require reviewing cloud console logs or storage system configurations.

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REX-Ray

Apache-2.0Gov0.11.4

A vendor-agnostic container storage orchestration engine providing persistent storage for Docker, Kubernetes, and Mesos.

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2.2k stars329 forks0 contributors

What is REX-Ray?

REX-Ray is a container storage orchestration engine that provides persistent storage for cloud-native workloads running on Docker, Kubernetes, and Mesos. It solves the problem of stateful container storage by abstracting storage operations across multiple cloud providers and on-premise systems. The tool enables consistent volume management across different container platforms.

Target Audience

DevOps engineers and platform teams managing containerized applications that require persistent storage across cloud providers and on-premise infrastructure.

Value Proposition

Developers choose REX-Ray for its vendor-agnostic approach to container storage, supporting multiple storage platforms through a single orchestration layer. Its flexibility as CLI, service, and Docker plugin makes it adaptable to various deployment scenarios.

Overview

REX-Ray is a container storage orchestration engine enabling persistence for cloud native workloads

Use Cases

Best For

Providing persistent storage for stateful Docker containers
Managing storage volumes across multi-cloud Kubernetes clusters
Abstracting storage operations from specific cloud provider APIs
Orchestrating storage for Mesos-based container platforms
Building consistent storage layers for hybrid cloud environments
Developing storage plugins for container orchestration systems

Not Ideal For

Teams using managed Kubernetes services with integrated storage solutions (e.g., AWS EKS with EBS CSI driver)
Projects requiring immediate support for the latest Container Storage Interface (CSI) specifications
Small-scale deployments with simple, single-cloud persistent storage needs
Environments relying heavily on Windows containers for service mode operations

Pros & Cons

Pros

Vendor-Agnostic Storage

Supports multiple providers like AWS EBS, Google Persistent Disk, and Azure, abstracting storage operations from specific cloud APIs, as shown in the detailed provider table.

Multi-Platform Container Support

Provides persistent storage for Docker, Kubernetes, and Mesos, enabling consistent volume management across different orchestration systems.

Flexible Deployment Options

Available as a CLI tool, Linux service, Go package, and Docker plugin, making it adaptable to various operational scenarios, from local development to production.

Broad OS Compatibility

Runs on major Linux distributions and macOS for CLI, with service support for Ubuntu, Debian, CentOS, and CoreOS, enhancing cross-platform usability.

Cons

CSI Support Lag

The README notes CSI integration is planned for late 2018, so it may not keep pace with evolving container storage standards, limiting compatibility with newer systems.

Configuration Complexity

Requires setting environment variables and provider-specific credentials, which can be error-prone and cumbersome, especially in multi-cloud setups.

Limited Windows Integration

Windows is not supported for service mode, as per the OS support table, restricting its use in environments with Windows-based container workloads.

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