OLM Descriptors: Native integration for Operator-backed services

Feature Overview

OpenShift console provides native integration for Operator managed services (i.e. the Operands of an Operator).

Goals

OpenShift Console provides a seamless experience for deploying and managing vendor-provided software/services so OCP becomes the go-to platform for our customers and ISV partners.

To achieve this, OpenShift console auto-generates UI for Operator managed services, and Operator providers/authors can optionally enhance the UI with OLM add-on to really set them apart from their competitors:

• The console auto-generates a basic "Creation Form" based on Operand's OpenAPI structural schema in the CRD YAML.
  --> (Completed in OCP 4.5) Auto-generate basic forms via OpenAPI schema

• The console overwrites the basic form fields with enhanced widgets associated with the added OLM descriptors in Operator’s CSV YAML.
  --> Advance customization with OLM descriptors

Benefits:

• Operator authors/providers:
  • An "auto-generated" basic Operand creation form on the UI from their CRD's structural schema.
  • Customize and elevate the form-filling and Operand managing experience with advanced UI widgets using OLM descriptors.

• Operator consumers:
  • Reduce the friction of deploying operator backed services on a form view with help text, better grouping, and richer input type supports.

Requirements