Mendix Cloud’s Next Evolution: Embracing Kubernetes for a Future-Ready Platform

Mendix Cloud is evolving. To ensure scalability, security, and future innovation, we are transitioning from Cloud Foundry to Kubernetes. This move strengthens our platform’s foundation, making it more reliable and adaptable for the years ahead.

For the past decade, Cloud Foundry has been a solid backbone for Mendix Cloud. However, with shifting industry standards, we need a solution that keeps pace with modern cloud computing demands. Kubernetes has emerged as the dominant platform for containerized applications, offering flexibility, robust community support, and advanced scaling capabilities.

By adopting Kubernetes, we are reinforcing our commitment to continuous improvement. This transition will allow us to implement new features faster while maintaining a secure and performant infrastructure for all Mendix users.

Why We’re Evolving Mendix Cloud

The current version of Mendix Cloud was built on Cloud Foundry, a technology that was cutting-edge when we adopted it 10 years ago. For many years, Cloud Foundry has been an industry standard, providing a reliable and scalable foundation for Mendix applications. However, the landscape has shifted:

Cloud Foundry usage is dwindling, and community support is decreasing.
While we could continue running Cloud Foundry for a few more years, eventually, we would face a lack of support and innovation.
To maintain our commitment to innovation, we need a platform that is ready for the future.

The Future: Kubernetes

Kubernetes has become the de facto industry standard for running containerized applications, with strong community support and continuous advancements. By adopting Kubernetes, we:

Ensure a future-proof infrastructure.
Gain a more flexible, scalable, and secure foundation for our customers.
Enable the rapid implementation of new features that enhance performance and security.

How We Are Making the Transition

Our journey to Kubernetes began in 2023. Here’s how we’ve approached the transition:

May 2024: We launched Kubernetes for Free Apps. This allowed us to gain valuable insights, expertise, and real-world performance data.
November 2024: We moved all internal Mendix applications running on Mendix Cloud to Kubernetes. By “drinking our own champagne,” we built confidence in the platform’s stability and performance.
Ongoing: We have been working to achieve feature parity between Cloud Foundry and Kubernetes for paid applications. We are now at a point where we can start rolling out Kubernetes to our customers.

When and How Will This Affect You?

Starting in March, we will begin enabling customer applications to move from Cloud Foundry to Kubernetes. To ensure a smooth transition, we have designed a controlled process:

We will not move all applications at once. Instead, we will begin with a small subset and gradually increase the pace as we monitor performance and stability.
This is integrated with the deployment process. If a deployment package has been used before, it will follow the existing deployment pattern. If it’s a new deployment, it will be placed on Kubernetes for non-production environments and retain the existing platform for production environments.
Only runtime engines (containers) will be moved. Databases and file documents will remain untouched.
If an issue arises, we can roll back individual environments to Cloud Foundry or temporarily pause to ensure minimal disruption.

You can check the Mendix Cloud Portal to see what platform your environment is running on. Additionally, before deploying, the Deploy Wizard will notify you if your environment is set to be moved to Kubernetes. This ensures that you have clear visibility and can take extra care in testing your app before deployment.
What’s Next?

Moving to Kubernetes not only ensures a secure, performant and reliable platform for the future, but it also enables us to look into offering new features should there be enough customer demand. This could include features like:
Private connectivity

Auto-scaling capabilities

Customizable firewall rules

Rate-limiting options
Call to Action

As we roll out Kubernetes, we encourage you to:
Continue deploying as you normally would.

Thoroughly test your applications on Kubernetes in a non-Production environment before deploying to Production.

Contact your Customer Success Manager (CSM) or Techworld Solution if you encounter any issues.
We’re committed to ensuring a seamless transition while keeping Mendix Cloud at the forefront of innovation. This move to Kubernetes is a significant step forward, and we’re excited to embark on this journey with you!