From features that add testing capabilities to security or development tools, Kubernetes offers a range of tools that can directly integrate into this application-building infrastructure. With all of these additions, you can actively tailor your toolbox to ensure that you have the very best functions at your disposal.
In this article, we’ll be explaining what Kubernetes is and then pointing to three useful tools that you can integrate today to increase what you can do with this infrastructure.
Let’s get right into it.
What is Kubernetes?
Also known as K8s, Kubernetes is an open-source system that allows users to automate, scale, and manage containerized applications.
Over recent years, the tool has gained popularity due to its ability to do three core functions:
- Scalability – Kubernetes is built by engineers that have over 15 years of experience at Google. The high-management volumes of Google allowed Kubernetes to design a program that will allow developers to run billions of containers every single week. Due to this, it is incredibly efficient for scalability, allowing teams to scale without placing strain on their capabilities.
- Flexibility – Kubernetes provides developers with the flexibility they need to deliver their applications on a consistent basis. No matter if the app has complex functions or is running locally or globally, Kubernetes will be able to provide a solution for its specific needs.
- Global – Another benefit of Kubernetes is that due to its open-source nature, it can be run absolutely anywhere. Whether you’re running on public cloud infrastructure, on-premises, or on a hybrid basis, you’ll be able to take on workloads and ensure your applications work flawlessly.
With these direct benefits, millions of developers from around the globe have turned to Kubernetes to manage, deploy, and scale their containerized applications.
What features does Kubernetes have?
Part of the infrastructure of Kubernetes is built to ensure that your application runs smoothly, no matter what strain you’re placing on it. How it does this is through the combined effort of a range of tools. Let’s take a look at three features in order to give a summary of what Kubernetes can do for your application.
From unique Kubernetes validator apps to comprehensive cloud-defense tools, the communities of developers following this central ecosystem have created a range of tools.
Rollback Deployment
When you roll out a change to your application, you’re at risk of accidentally breaking vital parts of your infrastructure. To protect you against app-breaking accidents, Kubernetes offers a rollback.
While monitoring the health of this system, if something goes wrong, K8 will automatically roll back the changes, ensuring that your system remains healthy. From this, you’ll be able to pinpoint your error before trying again, all without injuring your application.
Self-Healing
When developing an application, certain containers can fail the health check, failing to respond. Within K8, you’ll be able to set parameters of what the health check will entail. If a particular container isn’t responding, Kubernetes will destroy it for you, ensuring your system remains healthy.
Additionally, if a container fails, it will be automatically restarted and rested by this tool.
Additions
Perhaps one of the most useful features of Kubernetes is the fact that it is designed directly for extensibility. If you need to add features to your cluster, you’ll be able to do so without changing any of the upstream source code.
Simply put, you have the ability to completely scale the complexity and functionality of your application without having to modify pre-built structures. This vastly simplifies the process of continual development.
Yet, while Kubernetes is a comprehensive tool with a range of features that allow it to excel, there are further tools that you can use in tandem to increase its functionality. We’ll be taking a look at three of these:
- Best for Cluster Development – Minikube
- Best for Monitoring – Weave Scope
- Best for Testing – Kube-Monkey
- Best for Security – Aporeto
Let’s get right into it.
Minikube – Best for Development
Minikube is a cluster development tool that allows you to test different Kubernetes on a local scale. If you’re looking to explore through different Kubernetes, then this is an excellent tool as you’ll be able to launch a single node directly on your laptop.
As this tool is available in Windows, Linux, and macOS, you’ll be able to get exploring within the Kubernetes’ ecosystem in just a matter of minutes.
Kube-Monkey – Best for Testing
Taking direct inspiration from Chaos Monkey by Netflix, this Kubernetes version, Kube-Monkey, allows for chaos engineering. Following the main principles of chaos engineering, it will be able to delete certain K8 pods, check and failure-resistance modules, and ensure that your whole system is as healthy as it can be.
In the central files of Kube-Monkey, you can specify if there are certain applications that can be killed. You’ll also be able to practice recovery strategies, ensuring that your application is fully tested to the extent of its capabilities with the tool.
Aporeto – Best for Security
Aporeto acts as a comprehensive security solution for legacy applications, microservices, and containers. Within these, it is able to encrypt, check distributed policies, and work through a workload identity.
These security policies can be added across your Kubernetes clusters and even on hybrid elements, ensuring that all of your projects are as protected as they can be.
Final Thoughts
After skyrocketing to popularity, the ongoing development of supporting tools has ensured that Kubernetes remains one of the go-to tools for developers.
When creating a project, by installing and integrating an array of tools, you’ll be able to increase the functionality of Kubernetes and ensure that the system can perform whichever in-app actions you’re seeking.
Whether you’re looking for tools for security, cost management, or development, this list has something for you.
