Chapter 25. Working with Helm charts


Note

Certify your container application component before proceeding with Red Hat Helm chart certification. All the containers referenced in a Helm chart component must already be certified, and published on the Red Hat Ecosystem Catalog before certifying a Helm chart component.

25.1. Introduction to Helm charts

Helm is a Kubernetes-native automation technology and software package manager that simplifies deployment of applications and services. Helm uses a packaging format called charts. A chart is a collection of files that describe a related set of Kubernetes resources. A running instance of a specific version of the chart in a cluster is called a release. A new release is created every time a chart is installed on the cluster. Each time a chart is installed, or a release is upgraded or rolled back, an incremental revision is created. Charts go through an automated Red Hat OpenShift certification workflow, which guarantees security compliance as well as best integration and experience with the platform.

Partner Validation - Select this type of certification, if you want to validate your product using your own criteria and test suite on Red Hat platforms. This partner validation allows you to publish your software offerings on the Red Hat Ecosystem Catalog more quickly. However, validated workloads may not incorporate all of Red Hat integration requirements and best practices. We encourage you to continue your efforts toward Red Hat certification.

Certified - Select this type of certification, if you want your product to undergo thorough testing by using Red Hat’s test suite, and benefit from collaborative support. Your products will meet your standards and Red Hat’s criteria, including interoperability, lifecycle management, security, and support requirements.

Products that meet the requirements and complete the certification workflow get listed on the Red Hat Ecosystem Catalog. Partners will receive a logo to promote their product certification.

It is critical for partners to understand the distinction between Partner Validation and Red Hat Certification. Find below a clear differentiation between Validation and Certification programs:

Expand

Feature

Partner Validation

Red Hat Certification

Testing Criteria

Determined by Partner

Determined by both Red Hat and Partner

Testing Tools

Provided by Partner

Provided by both Red Hat and Partner

Red Hat Review

Partner statements, supportive documentation and test results

Test results, partner statements, and documentation

Scope

Quicker market entry, initial presence on the Red Hat Ecosystem Catalog

Comprehensive compliance with Red Hat platform requirements, best practices such as interoperability, security, and support

25.2. Certification workflow for Helm charts

Note

Red Hat recommends that you are a Red Hat Certified Engineer or hold equivalent experience before starting the certification process.

Task Summary

The certification workflow includes three primary steps-

25.2.1. Certification on-boarding for Helm charts

Perform the steps outlined for certification onboarding:

  1. Join the Red Hat Connect for Technology Partner Program.
  2. Agree to the program terms and conditions.
  3. Create your product listing by selecting your desired product category. You can select from the available product categories:

    1. Containerized Application
    2. Standalone Application
    3. OpenStack Infrastructure
  4. Complete your company profile.
  5. Add components to the product listing.
  6. Certify components for your product listing.

25.2.2. Certification testing for Helm charts

Follow these high-level steps to run a certification test:

  1. Fork the Red Hat upstream repository.
  2. Install and run the chart verifier tool on your test environment.
  3. Review the test results and troubleshoot, if any issues.
  4. Submit the certification results to Red Hat through a pull request.

The Certified Helm charts must be added to your product’s Product Listing page on the Red Hat Partner Connect portal. Once published, your product listing is displayed on the Red Hat Ecosystem Catalog, by using the product information that you provide.

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