Kubernetes Essentials for Developers and Operators

Kubernetes helps teams run apps at scale with portability across clouds and on-premises. It abstracts compute, networking, and storage so developers can focus on code while operators maintain the cluster.

Core building blocks

Pods are the smallest units—containers that run together. Deployments keep pods running and rolled out safely. Services expose apps inside and outside the cluster. ConfigMaps hold non-confidential data, while Secrets protect passwords and keys. Namespaces separate teams or projects, and RBAC controls what users can do.

Day-to-day roles

Developers package code into images, push them to a registry, and write manifest files that describe desired state. Operators focus on cluster health, storage, network policies, upgrades, and access control. Both groups share a declarative approach: describe what you want, not how to do it.

Workflows and practices

  • Use small, immutable container images and versioned deployments.
  • Define resource requests and limits to keep workloads fair.
  • Apply readiness and liveness probes to detect problems.
  • Manage configuration with ConfigMaps and Secrets, preferably mounted as files.
  • Use namespaces and RBAC to limit access.

A quick example

To deploy a simple app, you typically build an image, push it, and apply a manifest: kubectl apply -f deployment.yaml and kubectl rollout status deployment/my-app. Then verify with kubectl get pods -n my-namespace.

Observability and safety

Collect logs and metrics, set up dashboards, and alert on anomaly. Built-in tools like kubectl top help you see resource usage, and enable metrics server for pod metrics. Regularly review access control and enable audit logging. Keep backups of critical data and test disaster recovery in a staging environment. Consider namespaces per environment (dev, test, prod) to reduce risk.

Bottom line

Kubernetes is a balance between power and discipline. Start small, automate, and grow your cluster skills as you ship more reliable software.

Key Takeaways

  • Start with declarative manifests, versioned images, and clear environment boundaries.
  • Use rolling updates, probes, and resource limits to keep services healthy.
  • Plan for observability, access control, and disaster recovery from day one.