1 Introducing Kubernetes

Before you can learn about the ins and outs of running applications with Kubernetes, you must first gain a basic understanding of the problems Kubernetes is designed to solve, how it came about, and its impact on application development and deployment. This first chapter is intended to give a general overview of these topics.

1.1 Introducing Kubernetes

The word Kubernetes is Greek for pilot or helmsman, the person who steers the ship - the person standing at the helm (the ship’s wheel). A helmsman is not necessarily the same as a captain. A captain is responsible for the ship, while the helmsman is the one who steers it.

After learning more about what Kubernetes does, you’ll find that the name hits the spot perfectly. A helmsman maintains the course of the ship, carries out the orders given by the captain and reports back the ship's heading. Kubernetes steers your applications and reports on their status while you - the captain - decide where you want the system to go.

1.1.1   Kubernetes in a nutshell

1.1.2   About the Kubernetes project

1.1.3   Understanding why Kubernetes is so popular

1.2 Understanding Kubernetes

1.2.1   Understanding how Kubernetes transforms a computer cluster

1.2.2   The benefits of using Kubernetes

1.2.3   The architecture of a Kubernetes cluster

1.2.4   How Kubernetes runs an application

1.3 Introducing Kubernetes into your organization

1.3.1   Running Kubernetes on-premises and in the cloud

1.3.2   To manage or not to manage Kubernetes yourself

1.3.3   Using vanilla or extended Kubernetes

1.3.4   Should you even use Kubernetes?

1.4 Summary