Kubernetes is a big open source project and ecosystem with a lot of code and a lot of functionality. Kubernetes was made by Google, but joined the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) and became the clear leader in the field of container-based applications. In one sentence, it is a platform to orchestrate the deployment, scaling, and management of container-based applications. You have probably read about Kubernetes, and maybe even dipped your toes in and used it in a side project, or maybe even at work. But to understand what Kubernetes is all about, how to use it effectively, and what the best practices are requires much more. In this chapter, we will build the foundation of knowledge necessary to utilize Kubernetes to its full potential. We will start by understanding what Kubernetes is, what Kubernetes isn't, and what container orchestration means exactly. Then we will cover some important Kubernetes concepts that will form the vocabulary that we will use throughout the book. After that, we will dive into the architecture of Kubernetes in more detail and look at how it enables all the capabilities that it provides to its users. Then, we will discuss the various runtimes and container engines that Kubernetes supports (Docker is just one option) and, finally, we will discuss the role of Kubernetes in the full continuous integration and deployment pipeline.
At the end of this chapter, you will have a solid understanding of container orchestration, what problems Kubernetes addresses, the rationale for Kubernetes design and architecture, and the different runtimes it supports. You'll also be familiar with the overall structure of the open source repository and be ready to jump in and find answers to any question.
