> Source: https://meetrix.io/store/rancher/
> Markdown copy of that page. Cite the URL above, not this file.

[Store](https://meetrix.io/store/)  Rancher

Open-source OpenShift alternative

# Self-hosted Rancher on AWS

Run Rancher, the open-source Kubernetes management platform from SUSE, in your own AWS account. Create new clusters, import the ones you already run, and manage users, access and apps across all of them from one dashboard.

 [Launch on AWS](https://aws.amazon.com/marketplace/pp/prodview-rpkg6n4inegnm)

-   Ready in 5-10 minutes
-   Apache 2.0 licensed
-   Manages EKS, AKS and GKE

![Rancher Kubernetes management deployed on AWS by Meetrix](https://meetrix.io/assets/store/rancher/rancher.webp)

## What is Rancher?

Rancher is an Apache 2.0, open-source container management platform that addresses the operational and security challenges of managing multiple Kubernetes clusters. It suits platform and DevOps teams that run more than one cluster, across clouds or on-premises, and want one place to control them.

-   ### Cluster provisioning

    Create RKE2 and K3s clusters, or hosted EKS, AKS and GKE.

-   ### Import existing clusters

    Bring clusters you already run under one dashboard.

-   ### Central authentication

    Active Directory, LDAP, GitHub and SAML sign-in.

-   ### Role-based access

    Permissions across users, groups, projects and clusters.

-   ### Monitoring and alerts

    Prometheus-based monitoring with alerting built in.

-   ### Apps and GitOps

    A Helm chart catalog, plus Fleet to deploy from Git.

## What's in the Meetrix Rancher AMI

The AMI ships Rancher running on a K3s cluster on Ubuntu, so the dashboard is ready when the stack finishes.

-   Rancher installed and running on a local K3s cluster
-   The admin password set from the stack parameters
-   Automatic SSL when your domain is hosted on Route 53
-   A CloudFormation template for your own AWS account
-   Email support from Meetrix at aws@meetrix.io

## How to set up a self-hosted Rancher server

1.  ### Launch the stack

    Subscribe on AWS Marketplace and launch the CloudFormation stack with your domain and admin password. Allow 5-10 minutes.

2.  ### Point your domain

    Create a Route 53 A record for your domain with the PublicIp from the stack outputs.

3.  ### Sign in

    Open the DashboardUrl, enter the AdminPassword you set, and confirm the server URL.

4.  ### Add your clusters

    Create a new cluster or import an existing one, such as Amazon EKS, from the Rancher home page.

## Deploy on AWS

### Rancher on AWS

An AMI on AWS Marketplace, launched into your own AWS account with a CloudFormation stack.

Deploys with

CloudFormation

Recommended size

t3a.large

Ready in

5-10 minutes

#### Setup guides

-   [**Developer guide** Launch, DNS, first login, SSL, logs](https://meetrix.io/blogs/rancher-developer-guide/)
-   [**Rancher on AWS Marketplace** Who it suits and how it compares](https://meetrix.io/blogs/rancher-aws-marketplace/)

 [Launch on AWS](https://aws.amazon.com/marketplace/pp/prodview-rpkg6n4inegnm)

## Rancher vs Red Hat OpenShift

|  | Rancher | Red Hat OpenShift |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Licence | Apache 2.0, open source | Subscription |
| Kubernetes clusters | RKE2, K3s, EKS, AKS, GKE and imported clusters | OpenShift clusters |
| Multi-cluster management | Built in | Advanced Cluster Management add-on |
| Managed service on AWS | No, runs in your own AWS account | Yes, ROSA |
| Self-managed option | Yes | Yes, self-managed editions |

## Rancher FAQ

What is Rancher?

An open-source platform from SUSE for creating, importing and managing Kubernetes clusters from one dashboard, with central authentication, role-based access, monitoring and an app catalog.

Is Rancher free to self-host?

Yes. Rancher is Apache 2.0 licensed. On AWS you pay for the instance and any Meetrix software fee shown on the listing. SUSE sells Rancher Prime separately, with 24x7 support.

Which clusters can Rancher manage?

RKE2 and K3s clusters it provisions, hosted Kubernetes services such as Amazon EKS, Azure AKS and Google GKE, and existing clusters you import.

How do I sign in the first time?

Open the DashboardUrl from the stack outputs and enter the AdminPassword you set when launching the stack, then confirm the server URL.

Does it set up SSL?

Yes, automatically when your domain is hosted on Route 53. If that fails, a script on the server generates the certificate manually.

Which instance size should I choose?

t3a.large is the recommended starting point. Size up if Rancher will manage many clusters or nodes.

How do I upgrade?

Back up your server data, remove the old stack and launch the new version from AWS Marketplace.

How does Rancher compare with Red Hat OpenShift?

Rancher is open source and manages many Kubernetes distributions, including EKS, AKS and GKE. OpenShift is a subscription platform with its own clusters, and its multi-cluster management is an add-on.

## Need a hand with Rancher?

We run Kubernetes for video, AI and web workloads every day, from GPU scheduling to multi-cluster setups. Tell us what you need.

[Contact us](https://meetrix.io/contact-us/)