TCP #16 - How to Get Started Learning AWS Elastic Kubernetes Service (EKS) in 30 Days
Even if You Don’t Have Experience with Kubernetes
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Mastering AWS Elastic Kubernetes Service (EKS) might seem like a tall order, especially if you're new to Kubernetes.
However, with a structured plan, you can gain a solid understanding in just 30 days.
I will share a guide in today's newsletter to help you navigate the learning process efficiently.
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Ok, now back to our 30-day plan.
Day 1-5: Understanding Kubernetes and EKS Basics
Before diving into EKS, it’s essential to grasp the fundamentals of Kubernetes.
Step 1: Learn Kubernetes Core Concepts
Kubernetes is an open-source platform designed to automate containerized applications' deployment, scaling, and management.
Start by understanding core concepts like pods, nodes, and clusters.
Pods are the smallest deployable units; nodes run your applications, and clusters are a set of nodes working together.
Step 2: Watch Introductory Videos
YouTube is an excellent resource for beginners.
Search for "Kubernetes for Beginners" and watch a few introductory videos.
Channels like Tech World With Nana and Kubernetes Zero to Hero playlist by Abhishek Veeramalla offer excellent tutorials.
Step 3: Read Kubernetes Documentation
Head to the Kubernetes official documentation. The tutorials there will provide a solid foundation.
Focus on the basics like what Kubernetes is, how it works, and why it's beneficial.
Day 6-10: Setting Up Your AWS Environment
Setting up your environment is crucial for hands-on practice.
Step 1: Create an AWS Account If you don't already have one, sign up for one. The AWS Free Tier provides ample resources for practice without incurring costs.
Step 2: Install AWS CLI. The AWS Command Line Interface (CLI) allows you to interact with AWS services. Follow the installation guide to set up AWS CLI on your machine.
Step 3: Set Up IAM Roles IAM roles are essential for managing permissions. Create an IAM role with the necessary permissions for EKS. Use the AWS IAM guide to get started.
Day 11-15: Getting Started with EKS
Now that your environment is ready, it’s time to dive into EKS.
Step 1: Install eksctl
eksctl is a command-line tool for creating and managing EKS clusters.
Install eksctl by following the installation guide.
Step 2: Create Your First EKS Cluster
Use eksctl to create your first EKS cluster.
Run eksctl create cluster --name my-cluster --region us-east-1 to get started. This command sets up a basic EKS cluster in the specified region.
Step 3: Understand EKS Architecture
Read about EKS architecture and how it integrates with other AWS services.
Understanding how EKS fits into the broader AWS ecosystem is crucial for effective management.
Day 16-20: Deploying Applications on EKS
Deploying applications is where you’ll start to see the real power of EKS.
Step 1: Deploy a Simple Application
Start with a simple application like Nginx.
Create a deployment using kubectl apply -f https://k8s.io/examples/application/deployment.yaml.
This command deploys an Nginx instance on your EKS cluster.
Step 2: Expose Your Application
Expose your application to the internet using a LoadBalancer service.
Run kubectl expose deployment nginx-deployment --type=LoadBalancer --name=my-service to create a LoadBalancer service for your deployment.
Step 3: Monitor Your Application
Use the AWS Management Console and kubectl get services to monitor your application.
Check that your LoadBalancer has an external IP and that your application is accessible.
Day 21-25: Scaling and Managing Your EKS Cluster
Learning to scale and manage your cluster is essential for maintaining performance and reliability.
Step 1: Scale Your Deployment
Use the kubectl scale command to scale your deployment. For example, kubectl scale deployment/nginx-deployment --replicas=3 increases the number of Nginx pods to three.
Step 2: Implement Auto-scaling
Set up horizontal pod auto-scaling to automatically adjust the number of pods in your deployment based on CPU usage.
Follow the auto-scaling guide.
Step 3: Upgrade Your Cluster
Learn how to perform rolling updates and upgrades to your cluster without downtime.
Use kubectl set image to update the application images in your deployment.
Day 26-30: Securing and Optimizing Your EKS Cluster
Security and optimization are critical for running production workloads on EKS.
Step 1: Secure Your Cluster
Implement best practices for securing your EKS cluster.
This includes setting up network policies, using IAM roles for service accounts, and encrypting sensitive data.
Follow the EKS security best practices guide.
Step 2: Optimize Resource Utilization
Use tools like Kubernetes Metrics Server to monitor resource usage and optimize your deployments.
Implement resource requests and limits to ensure fair resource allocation.
Step 3: Explore Advanced Features
Explore advanced features like using Helm for package management and integrating with CI/CD pipelines for automated deployments.
These tools can significantly enhance your EKS workflows.
Putting It All Together
If you read until here, Congratulations!
You've successfully navigated through a 30-day crash course in AWS Elastic Kubernetes Service.
I'm kidding; you still need to put in the work by gaining hands-on experience. Nothing beats that. However, you now have a path to follow and get started.
You started by understanding the basics of Kubernetes, setting up your AWS environment, creating your first EKS cluster, deploying applications, learning to scale and manage your cluster, and finally, securing and optimizing your setup.
Consider diving deeper into specific areas like CI/CD integration, Helm charts, and Kubernetes security for continued learning.
AWS offers extensive documentation and resources that can help you further your knowledge.
Additionally, joining the Kubernetes and AWS communities can provide support and additional learning opportunities. For daily insights, don't forget to follow me on X/Twitter and LinkedIn.
Remember, practice is critical.
The more you work with EKS, the more comfortable and proficient you'll become.
Keep experimenting, keep learning, and you'll soon be an EKS pro.
That’s it for today!
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Until next week — Amrut
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