[CRD-v1] Should we make the `replicas` field required everywhere?

[scholzj]

Currently, most of our custom resources do not have the replicas field required. This applies to KafkaBridge, KafkaConnect, KafkaMirrorMaker2, or KafkaTopic. It also seems to be defaulting to different values. 3 in Connect and MM2, 1 in Bridge. I think we should try to make replicas required in Connect, MM2 and Bridge (and keep it as required in KafkaNodePool where it already is required).

I think the only exception should be the KafkaTopic resource, where when not set, number of replicas defaults to the Kafka cluster default which seems to be useful.

[ppatierno]

+1 I think that all the components you mention can't exist or don't really make any sense without a replicas field. They are workloads to run . Of course, as you said the concept is totally different with KafkaTopic which it's more a configuration that can get a default from the Apache Kafka cluster itself.

[see-quick]

+1.

[scholzj]

Discussed on a call on 8.9.2025: We should proceed with making the replicas field mandatory in Connect, MM2 and Bridge.

[scholzj]

Included in the general v1 proposal: strimzi/proposals#174