What is managed Kubernetes?

There’s no denying the steep learning curve when getting started with Kubernetes. However, you can get started quick by using a managed Kubernetes service. In this video, I’ll overview the following advantages when using Kubernetes as a Service from your favorite cloud provider:

• Ease of creating and connecting to a new cluster
• Streamlined use of open-source projects and connecting familiar cloud services
• Integrated security every step of the way

Thanks for watching! Be sure to drop a comment on the video if you have any questions or feedback.

Learn more about Kubernetes and containers

• Want to get some free, hands-on experience with Kubernetes? Take advantage of interactive, no-cost Kubernetes tutorials by checking out IBM CloudLabs.
• IBM Cloud Kubernetes Service
• Kubernetes: A Complete Guide
• VIDEO – Kubernetes Explained
• VIDEO – Kubernetes Deployments: Get Started Fast
• VIDEO – Containerization Explained
• VIDEO – Kubernetes vs. Docker: It’s Not an Either/Or Question
• VIDEO – Container Orchestration Explained
• VIDEO – What is Istio?
• VIDEO – What is Knative?
• VIDEO – What are Microservices?
• Kubernetes Tutorials: 5 Ways to Get You Building Fast
• Kubernetes Clusters: Architecture for Rapid, Controlled Cloud App Delivery
• Full IBM Cloud YouTube lightboarding video playlist here

Video Transcript

What is managed Kubernetes?

Hi everyone, my name is Sai Vennam with the IBM Cloud team. Today, we want to talk about managed Kubernetes.

Kubernetes is an open source platform allowing you to run your containerized workloads. Managed Kubernetes, on the other hand, is a service provided by cloud providers and comes with a number of advantages. 

Managed Kubernetes, on the other hand, is a service provided by cloud providers and comes with a number of advantages.

Advantages of using a managed Kubernetes service

For one, it’s very easy to spin up new Kubernetes clusters from scratch and add additional compute power in response to load. In addition, allows you to integrate with cutting edge open source capabilities, as well as familiar cloud provider services. Finally, you get peace of mind with security across the board.

Spinning up a Kubernetes cluster on IBM Cloud Kubernetes Service

Let’s go to an example of spinning up a Kubernetes cluster on IBM Cloud Kubernetes Service. First, we’ll choose the name for the cluster as well as the region that we want to spin it up in.

We can drill in deeper and choose the exact data center that we want our cluster to live in. In addition, we can also choose a multi-zone cluster. This allows us to spread our Kubernetes cluster across multiple data centers in the same region. This gives us high availability if anything went wrong with one of the data centers.

Next, we can choose the flavor for the compute power for this Kubernetes cluster. We can stick virtual compute or even bare metal.

Bare metal allows you to get dedicated access to the entire machine, allowing you to avoid that noisy neighbor issue.

Next, you can even define GPUs for your compute power in case you had something like machine learning or image or video processing—they can take advantage of GPUs.

Finally, scrolling down to the bottom, we can choose a number of worker nodes that we want to spin up and go ahead and create that cluster.

In a few minutes, your Kubernetes cluster will be provisioned and ready to use.

Kubernetes, open source, and the Cloud Native Computing Foundation

Kubernetes is an open source platform and is a part of the Cloud Native Computing Foundation.

To ensure portability of your workloads across any Kubernetes service provider, the CNCF provides conformance testing. This enables you to avoid vendor lock-in and even allows you to do multicloud deployments of your Kubernetes-based applications.

Managed Istio and Knative on IBM Cloud Kubernetes Service

Here at IBM, we’re strong proponents of open standards, as well as projects in the open source community. These include those in the CNCF, as well as projects like Istio and Knative. In fact, you can try managed Istio and managed Knative today on IBM Cloud Kubernetes Service.

Outside of those managed offerings, we also offer tutorials and documentation to integrate with cutting edge open source capabilities, as well as IBM tooling and offerings.

IBM Cloud Kubernetes Service and security

Finally, let’s talk about security. Security is something that should be integrated into every stage of your DevOps workflow. With IBM Cloud Kubernetes Service, we’ll make sure you’re protected every step of the way.

First, we have trusted private registries that scan your images for any vulnerabilities.

Second, we will make sure that those images are scanned as they’re being placed into a Kubernetes cluster.

Behind the scenes, we’re always making sure that any vulnerabilities in the technology stack that powers your cluster are caught right away.