Store persistent data in Red Hat OpenShift using PVCs

Learning path | 3 resources | 30 mins | Published on February 5, 2024
Don Schenck

Without data, software has no value. Data needs to be created, stored, updated, and retrieved. One way to store persistent data in OpenShift is by using a Persistent Volume Claim (PVC). In this learning path, created by Don Schenck, you will learn how to create a PVC and access it with your pod.

Access the Developer Sandbox

  1. Overview: Store persistent data in Red Hat OpenShift using PVCs
  2. Create a filecontents application and update environment variables Page | 15 mins
  3. Copy a file to your PVC and create a new deployment Page | 15 mins

Overview: Store persistent data in Red Hat OpenShift using PVCs

PVC claim learning path feature image

While the development and deployment of microservices receives most of the attention, it’s the data that users are after. Some methods of storing data include using a relational database, using a no-SQL (or document) database, using an object store, and more. One basic method of storing data is to use files; good, old-fashioned, flat files. Using the file system in your Red Hat OpenShift pod is one solution, but doing so comes with this caveat: When you delete the pod, the data is deleted as well.

Not exactly a persistent solution. Kubernetes (and, by extension, OpenShift) addresses this by allowing you to create and use Persistent Volume Claims (PVC). PVCs are volumes that exist outside of your pod but can be mounted and accessed by your pod.

PVCs can be:

  • Created
  • Updated
  • Expanded in size
  • Cloned
  • Backed up
  • Removed

This learning path will demonstrate some of the characteristics and methods of using a PVC.

Prerequisites

You will need the following in order to complete this activity:

What you will do

In this learning path, you will:

  • Create a back-end function
  • Create a front-end curl command loop
  • Use OpenShift command-line operations

What you will learn

  • How to create and use a PVC

How long will this activity take?

  • 45-60 minutes

Programming languages

  • You don’t need to know any programming languages to complete this task. If you’re interested in viewing the code, the back end is written in Java.

If you need help

  • If you get stuck, if something isn’t working, or you simply have questions, you can easily contact us via email at devsandbox@redhat.com.