#Build application architecture

#Introduction to build application

Alauda Container Platform is a platform for developing and running containerized applications. It is designed to allow applications and the data centers that support them to expand from just a few machines and applications to thousands of machines that serve millions of clients.

Built on Kubernetes, Alauda Container Platform leverages the same robust technology that powers large-scale telecommunications, streaming video, gaming, banking, and other critical applications. This foundation enables you to extend your containerized applications across hybrid environments - from on-premise infrastructure to multi-cloud deployments.

#Core components

#Archon

Provides advanced APIs for application and resource management operations. As a control plane component, Archon exclusively runs on the global cluster, serving as the central management interface for cluster-wide operations. Its API layer enables declarative configuration of applications, namespaces, and infrastructure resources across the entire platform.

#Metis

Functions as the multi-purpose controller within business clusters, delivering critical cluster-level operations:

• Webhook management: Implements admission webhooks for resource validation, including resources ratio enforcement and resource labeling policies and so on.
• Status synchronization: Maintains consistency across distributed components through:
  • Helm chart application status reconciliation
  • Project quota synchronization
  • Application status updates (writing to application.status fields)

#Captain controller manager

Serves as the Helm chart application lifecycle management controller operating exclusively on the global cluster. Its responsibilities include:

• Chart installation: Orchestrating deployment of Helm chart across clusters
• Version management: Handling seamless upgrades and rollbacks of Helm chart releases
• Uninstallation: Complete removal of Helm chart application and associated resources
• Release tracking: Maintaining state and history of all deployed Helm chart releases

#Icarus

Provides the centralized web-based management interface for Container Platform. As the presentation layer component, Icarus:

• Delivers comprehensive dashboard visualizations for cluster health monitoring
• Enables GUI-based application deployment and management workflows
• Implements Kubernetes RBAC-based multi-tenant management:
  • Distinguishes tenant accounts through namespace isolation
  • Manages resource access permissions per tenant
  • Provides tenant-specific view isolation
• Exclusively runs on the global cluster, serving as the unified control point for multi-cluster operations