1 Introducing Kubernetes
This chapter covers
- Introduction to Kubernetes and its origins
- Why Kubernetes has seen such wide adoption
- How Kubernetes transforms your data center
- An overview of its architecture and operation
- How and if you should integrate Kubernetes into your own organization
Kubernetes has become widely recognized as the go-to platform for running modern applications. The initial hype has settled, and while some might now call Kubernetes boring, the truth is that almost everyone uses it today.
At first glance, Kubernetes seems complicated—like an unnecessary layer of complexity added to your infrastructure. But anyone who has actually used it knows the benefits are real. And the truth is, Kubernetes isn’t that hard to understand once you start working with it.
At its core, Kubernetes is simply an API and a set of relatively straightforward controllers that keep your containerized applications running smoothly. It decides where your applications should run, restarts them when something goes wrong, and ensures they remain accessible. If you’ve ever used Docker Compose, Nomad, or even traditional virtual machines, Kubernetes operates in a similar space, but it automates far more of the everyday work. You define the desired state of your applications, and Kubernetes handles everything necessary to achieve and maintain that state.