Kubernetes has become one of the most popular open-source platforms for managing containers, allowing organisations to deploy, scale, and manage their applications with ease. In this post, we will explore the concept of Kubernetes as a platform and make comparisons to virtualisation and virtual machines (VMs).
Virtualisation has been a game-changer for IT, allowing organisations to run multiple operating systems and applications on a single physical machine, leading to improved utilisation and cost savings. Virtualisation provides a virtualised layer between the physical hardware and the operating system, enabling multiple VMs to run on a single physical host.
Kubernetes operates on a similar principle but with a focus on containers instead of VMs. Containers provide a lightweight and portable way to package and run applications, making them well-suited for cloud-native deployments. Kubernetes acts as a platform for containers, providing an infrastructure for deploying, scaling, and managing containers at scale.
Like virtualisation, Kubernetes abstracts the underlying infrastructure and provides a uniform interface for managing containers. This enables organisations to easily manage their applications regardless of the underlying hardware or cloud infrastructure. Kubernetes also provides features like automatic scaling, self-healing, and rolling updates, making it easier to manage applications in production environments.
However, there are some key differences between Kubernetes and virtualisation. Containers are more lightweight and portable than VMs, and they share the host operating system kernel, making them faster and more efficient. In contrast, VMs run their own operating system and require more resources to run.
Another key difference is the way applications are packaged and deployed. In virtualisation, applications are packaged as VMs, which can be slow and cumbersome to deploy. In contrast, containers can be quickly and easily deployed, making it easier to roll out new features and updates.
In conclusion, Kubernetes is a platform for containers that provides an infrastructure for deploying, scaling, and managing applications. While it operates on similar principles as virtualisation, it provides a more lightweight and efficient solution for managing cloud-native applications. Whether you are using virtualisation or containers, both provide a powerful way to manage your IT infrastructure and applications.