Choose how to use IBM MQ in containers

There are multiple options for using IBM MQ in containers: we can choose to use pre-packaged certified containers, or we can build your own images and deployment code.

Use the IBM MQ Advanced certified containers

If we are planning to deploy on Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform, then you probably want to use the certified containers. There are three varieties of certified container:

• IBM MQ Advanced certified container for IBM Cloud Pak for Integration. This is a separate IBM product that includes a version of a certified container.
• IBM MQ Advanced certified container
• IBM MQ Advanced for Developers certified container (unwarranted)

Note that the certified containers are evolving rapidly, and are therefore only supported under Continuous Delivery releases.

The certified containers include both pre-built container images, as well as deployment code for running on Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform, in the form of the IBM MQ Operator.

Some IBM MQ features are not supported when using the certified containers. You will need to build your own images and charts if we want to do any of the following:

• Use the REST APIs for administration or messaging
• Use any of the following MQ components:
  • Managed File Transfer Agents and its resources. However we can use the certified containers to provide a Coordination/Command/Agent queue manager.
  • AMQP
  • IBM MQ Bridge to Salesforce
  • IBM MQ Bridge to blockchain (not supported in containers)

• Customize options used with crtmqm, strmqm and endmqm, such as configuring recovery logs

Building your own images and charts

This is the most flexible container solution, but it requires you to have strong skills in configuring containers, and to own the resultant container. If we aren't planning to use Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform, then we will need to build your own images and deployment code.

Samples for building your own images are available. See Building your own IBM MQ container.

Parent topic: Plan for IBM MQ in containers

Related concepts

• Support for IBM MQ Operator and certified containers
• Support for building your own IBM MQ container images and charts