Should you study kubernetes?

In the last few years , As companies move to containers and cloud native deployment methods ,Kubernetes The adoption rate of . The platform has become a leading orchestration solution for running containers in production environments . This means that the whole industry now needs to be skilled in using and managing Kubernetes People in clusters .

In this paper , We will see if you should learn according to your current role and future goals Kubernetes. If your task is not to manage clusters , Then the final decision depends on the combination of skills you want to acquire and the fields you may enter .

What is? Kubernetes？

First , understand Kubernetes What is helpful . This technology is an orchestrator for running containers in a distributed environment . It uses Docker Container image built by tools such as , And start multiple instances of them on multiple physical hosts . This leads to scalable deployments with built-in redundancy .

Kubernetes Also available for network 、 Persistent storage 、 Monitoring and logging solutions , Allows you to configure the environment and pay close attention to its status .Kubernetes Cluster is actually a tool for defining 、 Create and maintain an integrated platform for workloads . In declarative YAML The resource list represented by the file specifies what your infrastructure should look like ; When files are applied to your cluster ,Kubernetes Necessary changes will be made to transition to the declared state .

The scope of the system implies significant inherent complexity .Kubernetes So hard to learn 、 It is famous for confusing novices and making simpler use cases difficult to operate . however , Through the initial learning curve , You will be at the forefront of cloud native application deployment , And let you better understand how to build a system for production .

For developers Kubernetes

Kubernetes More and more popular with developers , Because it allows you to replicate the production infrastructure in the development environment . You can test the application using a local cluster on the device , Then deploy them to the production environment using the same resource manifest .
Learn as a developer Kubernetes It also lets you know how to deploy and manage your software after merging the code . This makes it easier to achieve performance 、 Optimization of reliability and safety . Handing code to a dedicated team for production often separates you from your work , As a result, improvement opportunities disappear from the gap .

Another benefit is improved understanding of how operations and security teams detect and respond to incidents . When you work on the same infrastructure , You will learn more about the correct processes and techniques to use when an application fails . This awareness can help you predict future problems and add mitigation measures at the application level .

understand Kubernetes It can give you a more comprehensive understanding of the whole software life cycle . Especially in large organizations , Development is often seen as writing 、 Review and merge codes , Then appear CI Pipeline and “ Deploy ” it . For developers who don't understand cloud operations and container choreography , This routine may appear opaque . Take time to understand Kubernetes And how other teams get value from it , It can let you know more about the operating environment of the code . It can also provide a way for improvement , Go back to the development stage .

For operations managers Kubernetes

If you are already working in the operation Department , Study Kubernetes It will provide you with popular knowledge about leading tools for cloud native deployment .

From the perspective of system administrators accustomed to physical hardware and virtual machines ,Kubernetes It can be intimidating . To write YAML file 、 Issue the terminal command and wait for the orchestrator to reach the state you want , These look like things that developers have to deal with “ Code ” Mission .
Once you have passed the initial learning curve ,Kubernetes You can significantly simplify your daily workflow by automatically configuring and expanding resources . By restoring to the previous version YAML detailed list , Changes can be rolled back quickly , This greatly simplifies tasks that may consume a lot of time using other technologies .

Kubernetes It can make your deployment more adaptable to changes . This technology is not cloud related , And abstracted the differences between various suppliers . From the Google Cloud Migrate to AWS For example ： If you use ordinary VM Running the application , You need to formulate a fairly complex migration strategy to AWS Recreate your environment on ; Use Kubernetes, You just need to apply the list to your AWS New cluster created in the account .

Use Kubernetes It also helps to reduce barriers between teams . You may have let developers use their own local clusters as part of their daily workflow . Learn and use at the organizational level Kubernetes You can meet the engineers at their place , Promote shared insights 、 More collaboration and simplified development process . Taking time to understand it will put you ahead of your peers , And it can make your deployment more secure 、 More efficient and less costly to maintain .

For security experts Kubernetes

As a safety practitioner , It is your job to understand the risks associated with your software and its environment . When deployed in Kubernetes Middle runtime , Understanding the platform and its features will guide you to make a more informed assessment of your security situation .

Kubernetes Security itself is a theme . There are many built-in features that allow you to enforce access control restrictions and container level security policies . These should be used to create an enhanced environment , Thereby reducing Dev and Ops Team error space .

If your team or organization has not used Kubernetes, There is no need to learn Kubernetes. however , On its characteristics 、 A good understanding of the attack surface and available enhancements can help you prepare for the future . If clusters are used in production , It should first be properly protected ; Developers may not be in-depth Kubernetes Safety expertise to make the right choice , So your input is crucial to avoid problems .
It's important to know what tools are being used and what tools may be used in the future . Many organizations will now Kubernetes Included in the latter list , If not for the former .

Other matters needing attention
“ Study Kubernetes” A key consideration should be that it is consistent with your immediate goals . If you are a developer who wants to better understand the entire deployment pipeline and possibly run the cluster locally , Then it may be meaningful to try . contrary , If you are a release manager using a defined workflow based on other technologies , You may see less short-term value from your time investment .

You should also be Kubernetes Be prepared for the scope and scale of . Learning all this will be a difficult task ; As we can see , Not all fields are equally relevant to each discipline . As a starting point , Developers may learn basic Kubernetes object 、 How they fit together and how they are created , Those in the operational role may pay more attention to monitoring and expansion capabilities .

therefore , Narrow your goals and focus on what you want to pass Kubernetes Achieving the goal is a good idea . There is no single learning path , Because you need to use different components according to the composition of the software stack . Of course , If you hear a lot about Kubernetes The news of , You'll think it sounds interesting , And you are eager to expand your skills , If you are willing to invest your time , This is also a good reason . No matter where you start , You will be familiar with a tool that increasingly shapes the appearance of cloud deployments .

Generalization

Developer 、 Both operation managers and safety practitioners should consider Kubernetes Add to their toolkit . Study Kubernetes Will introduce you to configuring in the cloud 、 Best practices for running and maintaining production workloads . It encourages... By providing a shared interface that everyone can view and collaborate Dev、Sec and Ops Unity of disciplines .

That's not to say Kubernetes It's something you have to learn . If you haven't used containers , Or you are using a different choreographer for deployment , Then you won't see much benefit from your study time . If you are already using Docker、CI/CD Adjacent technologies such as system and load balancing server , So get Kubernetes Experience is the most rewarding .

Like many other cloud native technologies ,Kubernetes It's developing rapidly , Regular updates add deprecations and deletions . This means that if you don't actively use it , Your knowledge may soon become obsolete . under these circumstances , Deepen understanding Kubernetes The architecture and the problems it solves may change more than the writing and Application YAML The practical experience of the document is more beneficial .

When you decide it's time to learn ,Kubernetes Documentation is often the best starting point . You can use MicroK8s Wait for single package distribution to create your own cluster , You can also use managed cloud services to get a simpler experience . Once your application is packaged as a container , It can be anywhere Kubernetes Running in cluster , Let you freely switch between cloud environments in the future .