Getting started with Kubernetes, K8s vs Docker

Hello Learners,

This is my Day-30 of #90DaysOfDevops Challenge initiated by Shubham Londhe . In this blog we will be covering following points

What is Kubernetes?
Why do we call it k8s?
Docker vs Kubernetes
What problems does Kubernetes solve? Why Kubernetes?
What are the benefits of using k8s?
Enterprise Level Support by Kubernetes.

Kubernetes Overview

With the widespread adoption of containers among organizations, Kubernetes, the container-centric management software, has become a standard to deploy and operate containerized applications and is one of the most important parts of DevOps.

Originally developed at Google and released as open-source in 2014. Kubernetes builds on 15 years of running Google's containerized workloads and the valuable contributions from the open-source community. Inspired by Google’s internal cluster management system, Borg,

Introduction:

In the realm of modern DevOps practices, one name stands out prominently: Kubernetes. Often referred to as K8s, this open-source container orchestration platform has revolutionized the way we deploy, manage, and scale applications.

What is Kubernetes (K8s)?

Kubernetes, or K8s for short, is an open-source container orchestration platform developed by Google. It automates the deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications. Kubernetes provides a robust and flexible framework for running containers across clusters of hosts, making it easier to manage and scale applications seamlessly.

Why do we call it K8s?

The name "Kubernetes" is derived from the Greek word for "helmsman" or "pilot." The abbreviation "K8s" is formed by replacing the eight letters between the "K" and the "s" in "Kubernetes" with the number 8. This shorthand notation is widely used to refer to Kubernetes, making it quicker and easier to type and pronounce.

Docker vs Kubernetes:

Docker and Kubernetes are both powerful technologies in the containerization space, but they serve different purposes and can complement each other.

Docker is a containerization platform that allows developers to package applications and their dependencies into portable containers. It provides a consistent runtime environment for applications, making them isolated and easily deployable across different systems. Docker simplifies the process of building, shipping, and running applications by encapsulating them in containers.

On the other hand, Kubernetes is a container orchestration platform that automates the management, scaling, and deployment of containerized applications. It provides a higher-level abstraction for managing multiple containers across a cluster of nodes. Kubernetes takes care of container scheduling, load balancing, scaling, self-healing, and more, making it easier to manage and scale applications in production environments.

In summary, Docker focuses on containerization and packaging, while Kubernetes focuses on the orchestration and management of containerized applications and has advantages as mentioned above.

What problems does Kubernetes solve? Why Kubernetes?

Kubernetes addresses several challenges associated with managing containerized applications at scale:

a) Container Orchestration: Kubernetes simplifies the management and orchestration of containers across a cluster of nodes. It handles tasks such as container scheduling, load balancing, scaling, and rolling updates, freeing developers from manually managing these aspects.

b) Scalability and Resource Management: Kubernetes enables horizontal scaling of applications by automatically distributing containers across nodes based on resource requirements. It optimizes resource utilization and ensures that applications can handle increased traffic or workload.

c) Service Discovery and Load Balancing: Kubernetes provides built-in mechanisms for service discovery and load balancing. It allows containers to communicate with each other using DNS or environment variables and evenly distributes incoming requests to the containers providing a specific service.

d) Self-healing and Fault Tolerance: Kubernetes monitors the health of containers and nodes. If a container or node fails, Kubernetes can automatically reschedule or replace them to maintain the desired state of the application. This self-healing capability ensures high availability and fault tolerance.

e) Declarative Configuration and Rollbacks: Kubernetes uses a declarative approach to application management. You define the desired state of your application in YAML or JSON files, and Kubernetes takes care of bringing the system to that state. If any issues arise, Kubernetes supports rollbacks to a previously known working state.

Benefits of Using Kubernetes:

Scalability: Kubernetes enables effortless scaling of applications by automatically adjusting resources based on demand, ensuring optimal performance.
High Availability: Kubernetes supports fault tolerance and self-healing, allowing applications to remain available even in the event of node failures.
Resource Efficiency: Kubernetes optimizes resource utilization by intelligently scheduling and distributing containers across the cluster.
Portability: Kubernetes provides a consistent environment for deploying applications, making it easier to move workloads across different cloud providers or on-premises environments.
Simplified Management: Kubernetes abstracts away the complexities of container management, providing a declarative approach to application deployment and management through its powerful API.
Service Discovery and Load Balancing: Kubernetes offers built-in service discovery and load balancing capabilities, ensuring efficient communication between components of an application.
Flexibility: Kubernetes supports a wide range of workloads, from stateless microservices to stateful applications. It provides features like storage orchestration, service discovery, and load balancing to cater to different application requirements.
Extensibility: Kubernetes has a robust ecosystem with a wide range of plugins, extensions, and third-party integrations. This extensibility allows you to customize and enhance Kubernetes to fit your specific needs.

Enterprise-Level Support by Kubernetes:

Kubernetes enjoys strong enterprise-level support from various organizations and service providers. These include:

a) Kubernetes Distribution Vendors: Many cloud providers, such as Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Microsoft Azure, offer managed Kubernetes services (e.g., Google Kubernetes Engine, Amazon Elastic Kubernetes Service, Azure Kubernetes Service) that provide enterprise-grade support, scalability, and ease of use.

b) Consulting and Support Services: Numerous consulting companies specialize in Kubernetes and offer professional services, including training, implementation, and support tailored to enterprise requirements.

c) Kubernetes Ecosystem: The Kubernetes ecosystem has a vibrant community of contributors, including individuals, startups, and established companies. This community-driven approach ensures continuous development, bug fixes, security updates, and support for enterprise features.

d) Certified Kubernetes Conformance Program: The Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) oversees the Certified Kubernetes Conformance Program. This program ensures that Kubernetes distributions adhere to a common set of APIs and functionality, providing a consistent and reliable experience across different platforms.

In conclusion, Kubernetes has gained significant popularity due to its ability to solve the challenges of managing containerized applications at scale. Its features, extensibility, and strong enterprise support make it an ideal choice for organizations embracing containerization and microservices architecture.

Enterprise Level Support by Kubernetes:

Kubernetes enjoys strong enterprise-level support from various organizations and service providers. These include:

Day30: Getting started with Kubernetes

Table of contents

Kubernetes Overview