Kubernetes - Getting Started
Kubernetes - Getting Started
Kubernetes, often abbreviated as "K8s", is an open-source container orchestration platform for automating the
deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications. Containers are lightweight, portable, and
self-sufficient units that package software and its dependencies, allowing applications to run consistently across
different environments.
Kubernetes provides a framework for managing containerized applications at scale, abstracting the underlying
infrastructure and providing a unified API for managing containers across multiple nodes or clusters of machines. It
automates tasks such as container deployment, scaling, load balancing, rolling updates, self-healing, and service
discovery, making it easier to deploy and manage containerized applications in production environments.
Key components of Kubernetes include the master node, which manages the overall state of the cluster and coordinates
tasks, and worker nodes, where containers are deployed and run. Containers are organized into logical units called pods,
which are the smallest and simplest units in the Kubernetes object model. Kubernetes also provides declarative
configuration through YAML manifests, allowing for version-controlled, reproducible application deployments.
Kubernetes has become a popular choice for managing containerized applications due to its flexibility, scalability, and
portability. It is widely used in cloud computing environments and has a large ecosystem of extensions, tools, and
services that enhance its functionality, making it a leading platform for container orchestration and microservices
architectures.
American Cloud Kubernetes Service
American Cloud Kubernetes Service (ACKS) is a fully-managed container service for deploying and managing containerized
applications and workloads. First you need to install kubectl on your work station to interact with the cluster.
Install kubectl
Windows:
Visit https://kubernetes.io/docs/tasks/tools/install-kubectl-windows/ for the most recent Windows release.
macOS:
Install via Homebrew:
brew install kubernetes-cli
Linux:
1. Download the latest kubectl release:
curl -LO https://storage.googleapis.com/kubernetes-release/release/$(curl -s
https://storage.googleapis.com/kubernetes-release/release/stable.txt)/bin/linux/amd64/kubectl
1. Make the downloaded file executable:
chmod +x ./kubectl
1. Move the command into your PATH:
sudo mv ./kubectl /usr/local/bin/kubectl
Create an ACKS Cluster
1. Login to the Web Portal with a valid American Cloud account
2. On the left navigation column choose 'Kubernetes'
3. Choose '+ Create Cluster'
4. Fill out the provided creation form which allows for full customization of the new Instance. The following fields
are available:
Cluster Name
Provide a custom name to the cluster. If running more that one cluster ensure a naming convention is put in place
for easy management
Select Project
Select the appropriate project to add the cluster within
Select Version
Select the version of kubernetes desired
Kubernetes license change based off last release and American Cloud will update based off this schedule
Cluster Location
Determine the region to launch the cluster
Cluster Capacity
Select the number of nodes required
The node count in Kubernetes refers to the total number of worker nodes that are part of a Kubernetes cluster. Each
node in a cluster can run one or more containers, and together, the nodes provide the computing resources necessary
to run the containers and execute the tasks defined in Kubernetes manifests, such as Pods, Services, and
Deployments.
American Cloud provides four pricing pre-configured offerings, Basic, Small, Scale, and Enterprise. Pricing differs
based on requirements.
Enable High Availability (HA)
Use the slider to enable or disable HA and sleect the appropiate number of Master Nodes
High availability (HA) is a characteristic of a system or application that ensures it remains operational and
accessible for users even in the presence of hardware failures, software failures, or other types of disruptions. In
the context of Kubernetes, HA refers to the ability of a Kubernetes cluster to continue running and serving
containerized applications even when some components or nodes within the cluster experience failures. Pricing for HA
depends on the number of nodes added and which plan is selected.
Pricing for HA depends on the number of nodes added and which plan is selected. Further explanation on how HA
supports operations coming soon!
SSH Keys
Select or add a new SSH key for the kubernetes cluster
Billing Method
Select billing method and/or redeem a coupon. Review all billing information
5. Select 'Create Cluster'
Access and Download your kubeconfig
To access your cluster’s kubeconfig, log into your American Cloud account and navigate to Kubernetes under Services.
From the Kubernetes page, select the cluster you need the kubeconfig file. You will then be given the option to download
the Config File. This will be downloaded to your work station.
Open a terminal shell and save your kubeconfig file’s path to the $KUBECONFIG environment variable. In the example
command, the kubeconfig file is located in the Downloads folder, but you should alter this line with this folder’s
location on your computer:
export KUBECONFIG=~/Downloads/kube.conf
To view your cluster’s nodes using kubectl.
kubectl get nodes
