🐳 A Beginner’s Guide to Kubernetes Deployment and Management

Kubernetes, also known as K8s, is an open-source platform that automates the deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications. In simple terms, it helps developers run applications in containers (like Docker) efficiently.

✅ Step 1: Understand What Kubernetes Is

Kubernetes is a container orchestration tool.
That means it manages multiple containers (like Docker containers) across many servers. Think of it like a traffic controller for your apps.

KEY CONCEPTS

  • Pod: A group of one or more containers.
  • Node: A single server (virtual or physical).
  • Cluster: A group of nodes managed by Kubernetes.
  • Deployment: A set of instructions to run your app.
  • Service: Exposes your app to the internet or internal users.

✅Step 2: Install Docker (Required for Kubernetes)

docker –version

✅Step 3: Install Kubernetes (via Minikube)

Minikube allows you to run Kubernetes locally.

Use the command to change permissions: chmod +x minikube

  • Move the Minikube file to your system path:

Move it using: sudo install minikube /usr/local/bin/minikube

  • Once done, check the installation by typing:

minikube version

  • Start Minikube:

minikube start

  • Check it’s working:

kubectl get nodes

You should see output showing your Minikube cluster node in a “Ready” state

✅ Step 4: Deploy Your First Application

  • Let’s deploy a simple NGINX application to your cluster.
  • Run

kubectl create deployment nginx-app –image=nginx

This command tells Kubernetes to deploy an app named nginx-app using the official NGINX Docker image.

  • Now, check the deployment:

kubectl get deployments

  • To see the running pods:

kubectl get pods

✅Step 5: Expose the Application

Your NGINX app is running, but it’s not accessible from your browser yet.

  • To expose it:

kubectl expose deployment nginx-app –type=NodePort –port=80

This exposes the app on a port on your local machine.

  • To find out which URL you can access it on:

minikube service nginx-app –url

Open that URL in your browser to see the NGINX welcome page.

✅ Step 6: Scale Your Application

Want to run multiple instances of your app?

  • Scale it like this:

kubectl scale deployment nginx-app –replicas=3

  • Check the pods again:

kubectl get pods

You’ll now see three pods running the same application.

✅Step 7: Clean Up

Your NGINX app is running, but it’s not accessible from your browser yet.

  • Once you’re done testing:

kubectl delete service nginx-app
kubectl delete deployment nginx-app
minikube stop

🎯 Wrapping Up

You’ve now:

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