kURL, an open-source, custom Kubernetes distribution generator created by Replicated, achieved CNCF Kubernetes Distribution Certification. CNCF-certified Kubernetes products guarantee that the complete Kubernetes API functions as specified so that users can rely on a seamless, stable experience. Replicated uses kURL to power its embedded cluster installs. Now that kURL is CNCF-certified, embedded clusters, by extension, are now compatible with certification standards. Replicated customers and their enterprise end-customers can rest assured that embedded clusters installed through Replicated stand up to the standards outlined by the CNCF.

"One of the most valuable characteristics of Kubernetes is the ecosystem's commitment to standardization and compatibility. The certification process for Kubernetes distros serves to ensure that Kubernetes admins and end-users can expect a consistent set of manifests and tooling to work interoperably with various distros. By certifying this kURL distribution, software vendors and their end-customers can be confident that the Kubernetes they're leveraging meets those standards." Grant Miller, Founder, and CEO of Replicated.

kURL distributions already power the underlying Kubernetes add-ons for many commercial software vendors. The technology is used primarily to allow these vendors to mask the complexity of Kubernetes installation and management for enterprises that don't yet have a cluster to install third-party Kubernetes applications. Recognizing the ongoing need and that the Kubernetes ecosystem is evolving rapidly, achieving certification was a natural next step for kURL. With the new certification, enterprise customers can now sleep easy knowing they operate with a reliable, CNCF-certified Kubernetes distribution that simplifies the process of deploying those applications.

"kURL becoming a CNCF-Certified Kubernetes Distribution creator is an important milestone in our belief that Kubernetes and cloud-native standards are the easiest way to ship enterprise-grade, modern applications, whether on-prem, private cloud, or even air-gapped," says Marc Campbell, Founder, and CTO of Replicated. "As Kubernetes technology evolves, we strongly believe in delivering solutions that sustain and support open source standards. In addition to this certification, we will continue to work closely with the CNCF ecosystem on other projects such as Troubleshoot.sh, KOTS, SchemaHero, and more."

Leading technology vendors around the globe have CNCF-certified Kubernetes offerings. By conforming to and releasing under CNCF's Certified Kubernetes Distribution, kURL pledges that organizations will benefit from:

• Multi-Prem Deployment Flexibility - scale customer-controlled Kubernetes installations across enterprises whose infrastructure includes traditional data centers, public, private, or hybrid clouds.
• Agile Velocity - achieve faster development cycles with kURL's declarative add-on manager. With native Kubernetes as the core foundation, declaratively simplify and manage various add-ons on top of upstream Kubernetes deployments. kURL knows how to configure it for you.
• Interoperability - ensure a seamless, stable environment from one Kubernetes deployment to the next, fully integrating sanctioned Kubernetes open-source API functions.
• Upgradeability - innovate leveraging continuous, seamless updates to adopt the latest Kubernetes releases, empowering them to embrace accelerated agile development.
  

The Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) sustains and integrates open source technology and recognizes Kubernetes as one of the top 30 highest velocity open source projects in existence. The CNCF certified the kURL submission, aligning kURL with its mission to deliver consistency, portability, and sustainability in the Kubernetes open-source space.

CNCF collaborates closely with the Kubernetes development community at large, with persistent input from Testing and Architecture Special Interest Groups (SIGs). The Kubernetes Architecture SIG is the final arbiter that defines API conformance for the program. Every vendor's version of Kubernetes must support the required APIs, mirroring open source community versions.