AWS Marketplace Launches Self-Service Flows for Sellers to List Third-Party EKS Add-ons

/ Tutorial

At re:invent 2022, AWS made an important announcement regarding the integration between AWS Marketplace and Amazon EKS. This integration allows AWS Partners to showcase their complementary third-party Kubernetes software from AWS Marketplace directly in the EKS console. This new feature simplifies the listing process, replacing the previous manual onboarding process. AWS Partners can now utilize the AWS Marketplace Management Portal (AMMP) or the Catalog API to publish their software on the EKS console with minimal interaction with AWS Marketplace teams.

Introduction

Amazon Elastic Kubernetes Service (EKS) is a managed Kubernetes offering from AWS, allowing users to easily deploy, manage, and scale containerized applications using Kubernetes. AWS Marketplace, on the other hand, is a digital catalog of software solutions that can be easily deployed on the AWS Cloud. The integration of both services provides AWS Partners a streamlined method of showcasing their third-party Kubernetes software directly in the EKS console.

Benefits of Using AWS Marketplace for EKS Add-ons

By leveraging AWS Marketplace to list their EKS add-ons, AWS Partners can take advantage of several benefits:

  1. Increased Visibility: Listing third-party EKS add-ons on the AWS Marketplace increases their visibility to potential customers. The EKS console is a primary location for EKS users to discover and manage Kubernetes software, making it an ideal platform for software vendors to reach their target audience.

  2. Simplified Listing Process: Previously, AWS Partners had to go through a manual onboarding process to list their EKS add-ons. The new self-service flows significantly simplify this process, allowing partners to list their software without extensive interaction with AWS Marketplace teams.

  3. Faster Time to Market: With the self-service flows, AWS Partners can accelerate the process of listing and publishing their EKS add-ons. This enables partners to quickly make their software available to customers, reducing the time-to-value and increasing market competitiveness.

  4. Seamless Deployment: Once listed on the EKS console, customers can easily discover and deploy third-party EKS add-ons directly from the console. This provides a seamless experience for users, eliminating the need to navigate to external websites or marketplaces for software deployment.

  5. Unified Management: The integration between AWS Marketplace and the EKS console allows customers to manage both AWS-provided and third-party add-ons from a single interface. This unified management experience simplifies operations, making it easier for users to monitor, update, and scale their Kubernetes applications.

How to List Third-Party EKS Add-ons on the EKS Console

To list their software on the EKS console, AWS Partners can follow these steps:

  1. Access the AWS Marketplace Management Portal (AMMP): The AMMP is a self-service portal provided by AWS Marketplace that allows partners to manage their software listings. Partners need to access this portal to begin the listing process.

  2. Create a New Listing or Version: AWS Partners can either create a new listing for their EKS add-on or create a new version for an existing listing. This flexibility allows partners to update their software or introduce new features based on customer feedback and market demands.

  3. Add the “Amazon EKS Console Add-on” Delivery Method: During the listing or version creation process, partners need to specify the delivery method as “Amazon EKS Console Add-on”. This ensures that the software is compatible with the EKS console and can be seamlessly deployed by customers.

  4. Provide Required Information: Partners need to fill in the necessary information related to their EKS add-on, including the software details, pricing, and metadata. This information helps customers understand the features, functionality, and cost associated with the add-on.

  5. Review and Publish: Once all the required information is provided, partners can submit the listing for review. AWS Marketplace will review the listing to ensure compliance with their guidelines and policies. Upon successful review, the listing will be published in the EKS console for partners to test and validate.

  6. Test and Validate: AWS Partners are responsible for testing and validating their software on the EKS console after it is published. This ensures that the add-on functions correctly in the EKS environment and provides the intended value to customers.

  7. Publication in AWS Regions: After testing and validation, AWS Marketplace will publish the third-party listing to the EKS console in all AWS Regions where Amazon EKS is available. However, it is important to note that the listing will not be available in China and the AWS GovCloud (US) Regions.

Technical Considerations for Third-Party EKS Add-ons

While listing third-party EKS add-ons on the EKS console, AWS Partners should consider the following technical aspects:

Compatibility

  • Ensure that the add-on is compatible with the supported versions of Amazon EKS. This ensures that customers can deploy the add-on in their desired EKS environment without compatibility issues.

  • Validate that the add-on functions correctly with the latest Kubernetes versions supported by Amazon EKS. By staying up-to-date with Kubernetes releases, partners can provide optimal compatibility and support for customers.

Security

  • Follow AWS security best practices and recommendations to ensure the add-on meets the necessary security standards.

  • Consider implementing proper access controls, encryption, and secure communication channels within the add-on to safeguard customer data.

Scalability and Performance

  • Test the add-on for scalability and performance to ensure that it can handle varying workload demands and scale seamlessly.

  • Benchmark the add-on against known performance metrics and optimize it for maximum efficiency and resource utilization.

Monitoring and Logging

  • Implement proper monitoring and logging mechanisms within the add-on to capture important metrics and diagnose any potential issues.

  • Consider integrating with AWS monitoring services, such as Amazon CloudWatch and AWS X-Ray, to gain deeper insights into the add-on’s performance and troubleshoot problems effectively.

Documentation

  • Provide comprehensive documentation detailing the installation, configuration, and usage of the add-on. This helps users quickly understand and adopt the add-on within their EKS environment.

Support and Updates

  • Establish proper channels for customer support to address any queries or issues related to the add-on.

  • Regularly update the add-on to include bug fixes, security patches, and new features, ensuring that customers always have access to the latest improvements.

Conclusion

The integration between AWS Marketplace and Amazon EKS provides AWS Partners with a self-service method to list and showcase their third-party EKS add-ons directly in the EKS console. With the improved listing process and increased visibility, partners can effectively reach their target audience and accelerate the time-to-market for their software solutions. By considering the technical aspects mentioned above, partners can ensure the compatibility, security, scalability, and performance of their EKS add-ons, providing customers with a seamless experience in deploying and managing their Kubernetes applications on Amazon EKS.