Kubernetes is an open-source container orchestration system that automates the deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications. Originally designed by Google, the project is now maintained by the Cloud Native Computing Foundation. The name "Kubernetes" comes from the Greek word for "helmsman" or "pilot".
Key features and characteristics of Kubernetes include:
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Container Management: Kubernetes groups containers that make up an application into logical units for easy management and discovery.
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Building Blocks: Kubernetes defines a set of building blocks or "primitives" that provide mechanisms for deploying, maintaining, and scaling applications based on CPU, memory, or custom metrics.
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Portability and Extensibility: Kubernetes is a portable, extensible, and open-source platform for managing containerized workloads and services. It can be used with various types of applications and has a large, rapidly growing ecosystem.
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Not a Traditional PaaS: While Kubernetes provides some features common to Platform as a Service (PaaS) offerings, such as deployment, scaling, and load balancing, it is not a traditional, all-inclusive PaaS system. It operates at the container level, allowing users to integrate their own logging, monitoring, and alerting solutions.
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Cluster Management: Kubernetes helps in managing clusters of hosts running Linux containers, which can span across on-premise, public, private, or hybrid clouds. This makes it an ideal platform for hosting cloud-native applications that require rapid scaling.
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Integration and Flexibility: Kubernetes needs to integrate with various components like networking, storage, security, and telemetry to provide a complete solution for container orchestration. It offers users choice and flexibility in building their developer platforms.
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Open Source API: Kubernetes provides an open-source API that controls how and where containers will run, making it easier to manage complex applications that span multiple containers deployed across multiple servers.
