Introduction

We learned how to set up a multi-node Kubernetes platform on AWS using kops in Chapter 11, Build Your Own HA Cluster. In this chapter, you will learn about upgrading the Kubernetes platform to a new version. We will walk you through hands-on examples of the steps that are required to upgrade the Kubernetes platform. These exercises will also equip you with the skills required to maintain a Kubernetes cluster.

Different organizations set up and maintain their Kubernetes clusters in different ways. You saw in Chapter 12, Your Application and HA, that there are numerous ways to set up a cluster. We will present a simple technique to upgrade your cluster and, depending on the cluster you are dealing with, the exact techniques and steps that you will need to take for upgrading may be different, although the basic principles and precautions that we will mention here will be applicable regardless of how you go about upgrading your cluster.