Introduction-to-Kubernetes-and-Cloud-Native-Technologies

Module 1: Introduction to Cloud-Native and Kubernetes

� What You’ll Learn

By the end of this module, you’ll be able to:

• Explain cloud-native principles in simple terms.
• Deploy a containerized app using Kubernetes.
• Navigate the ecosystem confidently.

No prior experience needed—just curiosity!

🌩️ What is Cloud-Native Computing?

Traditional vs. Cloud-Native

Traditional Apps	Cloud-Native Apps
Single monolithic codebase	Small, independent microservices
Manual scaling	Auto-scales based on demand
Failure can crash the system	Self-healing with redundancy

Key Traits of Cloud-Native Apps:

• Microservices: Broken into small, reusable components.
• Containers: Lightweight, portable packaging (like lunchboxes for code).
• Dynamic Management: Automatically scales up/down.
• CNCF: The Cloud Native Computing Foundation maintains tools like Kubernetes.

⚡ Why Kubernetes?

Kubernetes (K8s) is the “orchestrator” for your cloud-native apps. Think of it as:

• Air Traffic Control for containers.
• Self-Healing system (replaces crashed containers automatically).
• Multi-Cloud Ready: Runs on AWS, Google Cloud, or your laptop.

⚡ Jargon Decoder

Term	Meaning
K8s	Short for Kubernetes (K + 8 letters + s).
Orchestration	Automating container deployment/scaling.
Node	A server (physical/virtual) running containers.

📦 Containers and Orchestration

Containers (Like Lunchboxes)

• Package your app + dependencies (e.g., code, libraries).
• Lightweight (share the host OS, unlike bulky VMs).
• Docker is the most popular tool (we’ll cover it in Module 3).

Orchestration (Kubernetes’ Job)

1. Deploys containers to nodes.
2. Scales up/down based on traffic.
3. Heals failed containers automatically.

🏙️ Kubernetes Analogy: City Planner

Kubernetes Term	Real-World Equivalent
Pod	Apartment (houses 1+ containers)
Node	Apartment Building (server)
Cluster	Entire City (group of nodes)
Control Plane	City Hall (manages everything)

🛠️ Hands-On: Your First Kubernetes Command

Try It Now (No Installation Needed)

1. Visit Play with Kubernetes.
2. Click “Start” → “Add New Instance”.
3. Run:

   kubectl get nodes
   

   Expected Output:

   NAME        STATUS   ROLES    AGE   VERSION
   node-1      Ready    <none>   1m    v1.25.0
   

⚠️ Troubleshooting:

• If kubectl: not found, try Katacoda’s Kubernetes Lab as a backup.

✅ Quiz

1. What’s the main benefit of cloud-native apps?
   A) They run on a single server.
   B) They scale and recover automatically.
   C) They avoid containers.

2. What does Kubernetes do?
   A) Writes application code.
   B) Manages containers.
   C) Replaces cloud providers.

3. A container is:
   A) A full virtual machine.
   B) A lightweight app package.
   C) A database.

Answers: 1-B, 2-B, 3-B

📚 Further Reading

• CNCF Interactive Landscape - Explore cloud-native tools.
• Kubernetes Docs - Official guides.
• edX Kubernetes Course - Free beginner course.

🔜 What’s Next?

In Module 2, you’ll:

• Deploy your first Pod (a running container).
• Use kubectl to debug apps.
• See how Nodes form a Cluster.

➡️ Sneak Peek:

kubectl run nginx --image=nginx  # Launches a Pod!

Proceed to Module 2 →

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