In Module 7, we learned how Kubernetes manages persistent storage for applications. Now, we’ll take a step back to explore the cloud-native ecosystem, a collection of tools and technologies that work with Kubernetes to build modern, scalable applications. We’ll focus on the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) and highlight key projects like Prometheus and Envoy. By the end of this module, you’ll understand how Kubernetes fits into the broader cloud-native world and discover tools that enhance its capabilities.
Understand the cloud-native ecosystem and the role of the CNCF.
Learn about key CNCF projects and how they complement Kubernetes.
Explore the CNCF landscape interactively to see real-world tools.
The cloud-native ecosystem is like a bustling city marketplace, where Kubernetes is the central hub (like a main market square) and other tools are specialized stalls offering additional services. These services include monitoring, logging, networking, security, and more, all designed to make applications scalable, resilient, and portable in cloud environments.
Cloud-Native Definition (from Module 1 recap):
Applications built as microservices (small, independent components).
Packaged in containers and managed by orchestrators like Kubernetes.
Designed to run on cloud platforms, leveraging automation and scalability.
The Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) is the organization behind this ecosystem, acting like the city council that standardizes and promotes cloud-native technologies. The CNCF hosts open-source projects, provides certifications (like KCNA), and maintains an interactive landscape to showcase tools.
Analogy: Think of Kubernetes as the head chef in a restaurant (from Module 1). The CNCF provides the kitchen staff—tools for cooking, serving, cleaning, and more—to make the restaurant run smoothly.
The CNCF, part of the Linux Foundation, was founded to advance cloud-native technologies. It hosts over 100 open-source projects, categorized as:
Graduated Projects: Mature, widely adopted tools like Kubernetes, Prometheus, and Envoy.
Incubating Projects: Growing tools like Argo and Flux for CI/CD.
Sandbox Projects: Early-stage, experimental tools.
The CNCF also offers resources like:
The CNCF Landscape (https://landscape.cncf.io/), an interactive map of cloud-native tools.
Certifications like KCNA, CKA (Certified Kubernetes Administrator), and CKAD (Certified Kubernetes Application Developer).
Let’s explore a few key CNCF projects that work with Kubernetes, using our city analogy:
What it does: Monitors applications by collecting metrics (e.g., CPU usage, request rates) from Kubernetes pods and nodes.
Why it’s useful: Helps you spot issues, like a pod using too much memory, before they cause problems.
Analogy: Prometheus is like a health inspector checking the food trucks (pods) to ensure they’re running smoothly.
Example: A web app in Kubernetes can send metrics to Prometheus, which alerts you if traffic spikes.
What it does: Acts as a proxy to manage network traffic between services, providing features like load balancing and retries.
Why it’s useful: Enhances Kubernetes networking (from Module 6) for complex apps, often used as an ingress controller.
Analogy: Envoy is like a traffic cop directing customers to the right food trucks, ensuring smooth flow.
Example: Envoy can route traffic to an Nginx service based on URL paths.
What it does: Packages Kubernetes resources (like deployments and services) into reusable “charts” for easy installation.
Why it’s useful: Simplifies deploying complex apps, like installing a WordPress blog with one command.
Analogy: Helm is like a pre-made meal kit, bundling all ingredients (resources) for a recipe (app).
Example: Use Helm to install a Prometheus stack in Kubernetes.
These projects work together with Kubernetes to create robust applications. For example, you might use Kubernetes to deploy a web app, Prometheus to monitor it, Envoy for traffic routing, and Fluentd for logging.
Kubernetes is the orchestration platform at the heart of the cloud-native ecosystem. It manages containers (Module 3), deploys apps (Module 4), handles networking (Module 6), and provides storage (Module 7). Other CNCF tools extend its capabilities:
Prometheus monitors Kubernetes clusters and apps.
Envoy enhances networking for services and ingress.
Fluentd collects logs from Kubernetes pods.
Helm simplifies deploying apps to Kubernetes.
Analogy: Kubernetes is the city’s central square, and CNCF projects are the shops, restaurants, and services around it, making the city thrive.
Since this module is conceptual, let’s do a lightweight exercise to explore the CNCF ecosystem interactively. No Kubernetes cluster is needed.
Visit the CNCF Cloud Native Interactive Landscape.
Explore the categories (e.g., “Orchestration & Management,” “Monitoring,” “Networking”).
Task: Find Kubernetes under “Orchestration & Management” and note its status (Graduated).
Task: Find Prometheus and Envoy. Check their categories and statuses.
Click on a few projects (e.g., Fluentd, Helm) to visit their websites or GitHub pages.
Search for “Database” or “Serverless” to see other cloud-native tools.
Note for Beginners: This exercise helps you see the big picture of cloud-native technologies. No coding is required—just explore and get familiar with the tools. Take notes on one or two projects that interest you!
1. What is the role of the CNCF?
A) Develops Kubernetes only.
B) Promotes and hosts cloud-native open-source projects.
C) Runs cloud providers.
2. What does Prometheus do in the cloud-native ecosystem?
A) Manages networking.
B) Collects and monitors metrics.
C) Packages applications.
3. How does Helm simplify working with Kubernetes?
A) Monitors pods.
B) Packages resources into reusable charts.
C) Provides persistent storage.
Answers: 1-B, 2-B, 3-B
In Module 9, we’ll dive into Observability and Monitoring, exploring how to monitor Kubernetes applications using tools like Prometheus and view logs with Fluentd. You’ll set up a simple monitoring example.