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SPECIFICTION
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Mirantis Kubernetes Engine

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Spec score 8.1 #7 of 29 in Kubernetes Management Platforms

What it is

Mirantis Kubernetes Engine (MKE 4) is a self-hosted enterprise Kubernetes platform built on the open-source k0s distribution. It supports deployment across public and private clouds, multi-cloud and hybrid-cloud environments, and bare-metal infrastructure. Teams manage cluster lifecycle with the mkectl command-line tool and a declarative mke4.yaml configuration file; standardized APIs and GitOps-based lifecycle management are also listed. A cluster combines k0s, a container network interface, the MKE control plane, system services, and user services. Calico is installed by default, with other network interface options supported. The web dashboard manages Kubernetes resources in an MKE-managed cluster. Backup and restore are supported, and the CLI upgrade process includes automated backups. Authentication through Dex supports OIDC, SAML, and LDAP, but not MFA. MKE 4 requires x86_64 and Linux manager/control-plane nodes; supported operating systems include specified Ubuntu, RHEL, and Rocky Linux versions, plus Windows Server worker nodes. A valid license is required, and a trial license is available on request. Mirantis offers 24/7 proactive support or managed services.

Spec sheet

Purpose
MKE 4 is an enterprise Kubernetes platform built on the open-source k0s distribution.Read 7 Oct 2026 · docs.mirantis.com
Deployment
MKE 4 supports deployment across public, private, multi-cloud, hybrid-cloud, and bare-metal environments.Read 7 Oct 2026 · docs.mirantis.com
Security
Mirantis describes MKE 4 as secure by default and says its default components are FIPS-validated.Read 7 Oct 2026 · docs.mirantis.com
Support
Mirantis offers a choice of 24/7 proactive support or managed services for MKE 4.Read 7 Oct 2026 · docs.mirantis.com
Headquarters
Campbell, California, United StatesRead 28 Sep 2026 · docs.mirantis.com
Architecture
An MKE 4 cluster includes k0s, a container network interface, the MKE control plane, system services, and user services.Read 7 Oct 2026 · docs.mirantis.com
Architecture requirement
MKE 4 requires x86_64 architecture, and manager/control-plane nodes must use a supported Linux distribution.Read 7 Oct 2026 · docs.mirantis.com
Authentication
MKE 4 supports OIDC, SAML, and LDAP authentication through Dex; MFA is listed as unsupported.Read 7 Oct 2026 · docs.mirantis.com
Authentication limit
MKE 4 authentication does not support multi-factor authentication (MFA).Read 7 Oct 2026 · docs.mirantis.com
Automation
MKE 4 provides standardized API interfaces and GitOps-based lifecycle management.Read 7 Oct 2026 · docs.mirantis.com
Backup and upgrades
MKE 4 supports backup and restore, and its CLI upgrade process includes automated backups.Read 7 Oct 2026 · docs.mirantis.com
Company headquarters
Mirantis lists its address as 900 E Hamilton Avenue, Suite 650, Campbell, California 95008.Read 7 Oct 2026 · docs.mirantis.com
Composable platform
MKE 4 lets users assemble platforms from CNCF open-source components and manage them declaratively.Read 7 Oct 2026 · docs.mirantis.com
Dashboard
MKE 4 includes a web-based dashboard for managing Kubernetes resources in an MKE-managed cluster.Read 7 Oct 2026 · docs.mirantis.com
Deployment environments
MKE 4 supports deploying applications to public, private, multi-cloud, hybrid-cloud, or bare-metal environments.Read 7 Oct 2026 · docs.mirantis.com
Licensing
MKE 4 requires a valid license for lawful use.Read 7 Oct 2026 · docs.mirantis.com
Management
The mkectl command-line tool manages the cluster lifecycle using a declarative mke4.yaml configuration file.Read 7 Oct 2026 · docs.mirantis.com
Networking
MKE 4 installs with Calico by default and supports other container network interface options.Read 7 Oct 2026 · docs.mirantis.com
Operating systems
MKE 4 supports Ubuntu 24.04 and 22.04, RHEL 9.6 and 8.10, Rocky Linux 9.4, and Windows Server 2022 worker nodes on x86_64; manager nodes must run Linux.Read 7 Oct 2026 · docs.mirantis.com
Upgrade limit
Starting with MKE 4.2.0, only MKE 3.9.x clusters can be upgraded to MKE 4.2.0 and later.Read 7 Oct 2026 · docs.mirantis.com

Plans and prices

MKE 4 subscription Priced on request Valid license required · subscription-only service; free trial license available on request Read 7 Oct 2026 · docs.mirantis.com

Every Mirantis Kubernetes Engine plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Supports multi-cloud and bare-metal deployments
  • Declarative lifecycle management with GitOps
  • Backup and restore are supported
  • Web dashboard manages Kubernetes resources

Limits

  • Valid license required; no free plan
  • MFA authentication is unsupported
  • Manager nodes must run supported Linux
  • Requires x86_64 architecture

Who it suits

It suits organizations running Kubernetes across cloud, hybrid, or bare-metal environments that can operate a self-hosted platform and meet its Linux and x86_64 requirements. Teams requiring MFA should note that it is unsupported.

Verdict

MKE 4 provides self-hosted cluster management across varied deployment environments, with declarative lifecycle tools and backup support. Check licensing, node requirements, and the lack of MFA against your operational needs.

Where Specifiction places it

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