Everything about Kubernetes

1. What is Kubernetes?

Kubernetes (short name: K8S) is a portable, extensible open-source platform for managing workloads in containers and services, enabling both configuration and automation. It has a large, rapidly growing ecosystem. Kubernetes services, support, and tools are available everywhere.

Google made the Kubernetes project open-source in 2014. Kubernetes builds on more than 10 years of experience Google has with running production workloads at scale, combined with the most creative ideas and practices from the community.

2. First, the basics

To understand why Kubernetes is conquering the virtual world, there are a few things you need to know. Kubernetes is a complex system, designed for people with know-how in a technical environment. Still, I will try to explain it as simply as possible.

2.1 Multiple Virtual Machines?

When you want to run an application on a server in the cloud, you place the application in a Virtual Machine (VM). This acts like a physical computer, making the application think it is running on a real system. The VM focuses on the PC hardware and runs an operating system on top, such as Windows or Linux.

But to meet higher demand, we run multiple instances of the app. Normally, you do this by creating new VMs. But this requires a lot of server computation and therefore more budget.

2.2 Containers are a better solution

There is a better way to run a larger application on a cloud server: using “Containers”. Containers are essentially smart “light” VMs that, instead of running a full computer, only focus on the necessary components. In this way, the application is placed in a container with only the essential functions, to perform as efficiently as possible. Docker is the most well-known and globally used example of container technology.

2.3 Advantages of containers

Advantages of Containers:

Can run anywhere: local, staging, production… as long as Docker is installed
Smaller, lighter: easy to move between environments, uses fewer resources, more efficient
Easy deployment: everything the application needs runs in the container, so you only need to set up your container
Easy management: run multiple technologies easily on a single environment, upgrading versions is just running a new container
Scalability: multiple containers of the same application can run easily to distribute the load

2.4 Disadvantages of containers

Managing containers is doable, even if we are talking about dozens. But when it comes to 1000 or more instances of an application, it becomes pure overkill for a single IT administrator. And that is the downside of the coin.

2.4.1 Why overkill?

To remain cost-efficient when running more than 1000 instances, all workloads must be distributed as efficiently as possible across the available hardware. Furthermore, this system must keep running, which is why a performant solution is indispensable.

3. Kubernetes for the win!

Here comes Kubernetes into play. Kubernetes is a Greek word meaning ‘Helmsman of the ship’. It allows an administrator to deploy containers very easily and takes care of managing the deployed containers in the data center.

3.1 Why Kubernetes?

With Kubernetes, an administrator grants themselves several unmissable advantages:

autoscaling
ease of use
total automation
daily-used services
redundant by design
built-in loadbalancing
rolling updates: this allows your application to be updated without any downtime

Kubernetes provides a management environment where containers are central. It orchestrates computing, networking, and storage infrastructure in service of user workloads. This offers much of the simplicity of Platform as a Service (PaaS) with the flexibility of Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) and enables portability across infrastructure providers.

3.2 How does Kubernetes handle containers? Pods!

Kubernetes works with ‘pods’. A pod is a wrapper for one or more containers. In a single pod, you only place containers that work closely together and will use the same system resources. Not multiple instances of the same application, but rather a bundle of different applications in containers that together form part of a process. Everything in a pod always runs on the same system.

4. All well and good, but what does Level27 do with Kubernetes?

We do not recommend starting with Kubernetes without any prior knowledge. Some risks may be lurking:

Failures can sometimes be difficult to locate due to the large number of containers;
Improper use can quickly lead to problems (anyone can drive fast, but without the necessary skill, a crash can happen quickly)

As you may already know, we are big fans of Kubernetes at Level27. We quickly realized that it is a platform with a lot of potential and therefore immediately delved into it. Currently, a few projects are running for clients. These projects are going very smoothly, and thanks to clear communication, concrete agreements, and a dose of common sense, we achieve excellent results. How exactly do we approach this with our clients? Well, we examine each situation to determine the ideal setup and work very thoroughly. We assess the specific requirements and provide a solution. Together, we look at how to maximize the performance and speed of the applications. This allows our clients to fully enjoy managed container hosting, while we in the meantime support, monitor, and intervene in the environment 24/7 whenever necessary.