RTI is pleased to announce the release of our Docker container images, now available on Docker Hub. The flexibility and efficiency of our Docker containers makes it easier than ever to integrate our powerful RTI Connext software into your continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) and DevSecOps pipelines. Alongside these Docker images, we are also introducing Debian packages for even greater adaptability in a variety of deployment scenarios.

Streamlining DevSecOps with RTI’s Docker Containers

Our Docker container images cover most of our product suite, traditionally installed via regular installers, and can now be pulled directly from Docker Hub. This enhancement facilitates seamless integration into CI/CD workflows, while enabling you to streamline DevSecOps practices.

Here are five typical use cases that demonstrate how RTI’s Docker images can be utilized in different phases of development by various teams and across diverse deployment environments:

1. Operations Teams - Simplified Deployments

Operations teams can use our Docker images to deploy applications consistently in different environments. Whether deploying on-premises, in vehicles and devices, or within data centers, the standardized Docker containers ensure reliable and reproducible deployments. This approach is particularly beneficial for widely distributed applications that must communicate reliably across multiple devices or data centers.

2. Security Teams - Enhanced DevSecOps Practices

Security teams can integrate RTI’s Docker images into their DevSecOps pipelines to automate security checks and ensure compliance. By embedding security practices into the CI/CD pipeline, teams can quickly identify and address vulnerabilities before they reach production. This proactive approach helps maintain the integrity and security of mission-critical applications.

3. Hybrid Cloud Deployments

Companies deploying hybrid cloud strategies can use our Docker images to run cloud native applications both on-premises and in the cloud. This capability ensures seamless integration and real-time data processing across different environments. For instance, critical components can run on-premises for low latency, while other parts leverage the cloud for scalability, AI and data analytics, offering greater flexibility and efficiency.

4. Distributed Systems

Teams running complex distributed systems can use RTI’s Docker images to enable efficient management and orchestration of services. By using container orchestration tools such as Kubernetes, teams can deploy, scale and manage RTI applications across multiple nodes, ensuring high availability and reliability for real-time communication in mission-critical systems.

5. Continuous Testing and Quality Assurance

Quality assurance teams can benefit from using RTI’s Docker images to create isolated and consistent testing environments. By using containers, QA teams can replicate production environments to perform thorough testing and validation of applications, ensuring they meet all performance and reliability standards before deployment.

Leveraging RTI’s Debian Packages for Flexible CI/CD Integration

While Docker has become increasingly popular for the consistency, portability, and scalability it provides, Debian packages still play a significant role in many CI/CD workflows. Here are some scenarios in which RTI’s Debian packages can provide  a highly effective advantage in CI/CD pipelines:

1. Legacy Systems and Existing Infrastructure

Companies with a significant investment in Debian-based systems and a well-established package management workflow are able to integrate RTI’s Debian packages more efficiently into their CI/CD pipelines.

2. Resource-Constrained Environments

For environments where running Docker containers is not feasible due to resource constraints, Debian packages offer a lightweight alternative. This is often the case in embedded systems or older hardware where container runtimes may be too resource-intensive.

3. Regulated Industries

In highly regulated industries such as healthcare or finance, there may be strict compliance requirements that make container adoption slower or more challenging. Debian packages, being well-understood and vetted, can be a more straightforward solution for ensuring compliance.

4. Custom and Specialized Software

Some organizations develop highly specialized software that integrates deeply with the operating system. In such cases, Debian packages might be preferred, as this approach offers more direct control over the installation and configuration of the software.

Further Learning

We invite you to explore our Docker container images on Docker Hub and integrate them into your development pipelines. Visit the following link to access our Docker images, where you can find comprehensive documentation for each image: RTI Docker Hub Repository. Additionally, detailed documentation for our Debian packages is available on our Community website: RTI Debian Packages Documentation. We hope these new tools enhance your real-time applications and help you streamline mission-critical projects.

For further insights and a deeper understanding of how you can leverage these tools, we encourage you to read our whitepaper on Kubernetes.

About the author:

David Ruana is the Staff Product Manager at RTI overseeing security and platform integrations across the product suite. David brings a wealth of experience in the areas of security certification, identity and access management (IAM), and broader product lifecycle management for IoT, Mobile, and Cloud Systems.