Kubernetes is a powerful open-source platform for container orchestration, while cloud computing refers to the delivery of computing resources over the internet. By using Kubernetes on the cloud, organizations can easily manage their containerized applications, scale them up or down, and achieve cost savings. In this blog post, we’ll explore how to set up Kubernetes on three popular cloud providers: AWS, Azure, and GCP.

Kubernetes on AWS

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is one of the most popular cloud computing platforms. It offers a wide range of services, such as compute, storage, and databases, among others. For Kubernetes on AWS, the Elastic Kubernetes Service (EKS) is the recommended service.

Steps to set up Kubernetes on AWS

To set up Kubernetes on AWS, you can use the AWS CloudFormation service to create an EKS cluster. CloudFormation is a tool that allows you to define and provision infrastructure as code. Here’s an example of the CloudFormation code you can use:

Resources:
  MyEksCluster:
    Type: AWS::EKS::Cluster
    Properties:
      Name: my-eks-cluster
      RoleArn: !GetAtt MyEksClusterRole.Arn

  MyEksClusterRole:
    Type: AWS::IAM::Role
    Properties:
      AssumeRolePolicyDocument:
        Version: '2012-10-17'
        Statement:
        - Effect: Allow
          Principal:
            Service:
            - eks.amazonaws.com
          Action:
          - sts:AssumeRole
      Path: "/"
      Policies:
      - PolicyName: my-eks-cluster
        PolicyDocument:
          Version: '2012-10-17'
          Statement:
          - Effect: Allow
            Action:
            - ec2:DescribeInstances
            Resource: "*"

Benefits and limitations of using Kubernetes on AWS

The main benefits of using Kubernetes on AWS include:

• Easy integration with other AWS services
• Automatic scaling of worker nodes
• High availability and security

However, some of the limitations include:

• Limited control over the infrastructure
• Higher cost compared to self-hosted Kubernetes

Kubernetes on Azure

Microsoft Azure is another popular cloud computing platform that offers a wide range of services, including compute, storage, and databases, among others. For Kubernetes on Azure, the Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) is the recommended service.

Steps to set up Kubernetes on Azure To set up Kubernetes on Azure, you can use Azure Resource Manager (ARM) templates. ARM templates are JSON files that define the infrastructure and configuration of your application. Here’s an example of the ARM template code you can use:

{
  "$schema": "https://schema.management.azure.com/schemas/2015-01-01/deploymentTemplate.json#",
  "contentVersion": "1.0.0.0",
  "parameters": {},
  "resources": [
    {
      "apiVersion": "2019-05-01",
      "type": "Microsoft.ContainerService/managedClusters",
      "name": "my-aks-cluster",
      "location": "eastus",
      "properties": {
        "kubernetesVersion": "1.21.2",
        "dnsPrefix": "my-aks-cluster",
        "agentPoolProfiles": [
          {
            "count": 3,
            "vmSize": "Standard_D2_v2",
            "name": "agentpool1"
          }
        ]
      }
    }
  ]
}

Benefits and limitations of using Kubernetes on Azure

The main benefits of using Kubernetes on Azure include:

• Easy integration with other Azure services
• High scalability and availability
• Automatic upgrades and patches

However, some of the limitations include:

• Limited control over the infrastructure
• Higher cost compared to self-hosted Kubernetes

Kubernetes on GCP

Google Cloud Platform (GCP) is a cloud computing platform that offers a wide range of services, including compute, storage, and databases, among others. For Kubernetes on GCP, the Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE) is the recommended service.

Steps to set up Kubernetes on GCP

To set up Kubernetes on GCP, you can use the Google Cloud Console or the Cloud Manager. The Cloud Manager is a web-based tool that provides an easy-to-use interface for creating and managing GKE clusters. Here’s an example of the command-line code you can use:

gcloud container clusters create my-gke-cluster --zone us-central1-a

Benefits and limitations of using Kubernetes on GCP

The main benefits of using Kubernetes on GCP include:

• Easy integration with other GCP services
• High scalability and availability
• High performance and reliability

However, some of the limitations include:

• Higher cost compared to self-hosted Kubernetes
• Limited control over the infrastructure

Comparison of Kubernetes on AWS, Azure, and GCP

To help you decide which cloud provider to choose for your Kubernetes deployment, here’s a comparison of the three services based on the following criteria:

Performance and scalability

Pricing and cost-effectiveness

Availability of features and services

Ease of use and management

Public Companies using managed Kubernetes

Based on the above comparison, you can choose the cloud provider that best fits your needs. It’s worth noting that public companies use all three Kubernetes services for their container orchestration needs. This shows that each provider has its unique advantages and can provide a robust and scalable Kubernetes deployment for organizations of all sizes.

Hybrid Kubernetes with AWS, Azure, and GCP

In addition to using a single cloud provider for your Kubernetes deployment, you can also use a hybrid approach that combines multiple cloud providers. This approach is known as hybrid cloud and can help you achieve better performance, scalability, and cost-effectiveness.

To create a hybrid Kubernetes deployment with AWS, Azure, and GCP, you can use tools such as Terraform. Terraform is an infrastructure as code tool that allows you to define and provision infrastructure across multiple cloud providers. Here’s an example of how you can create an EKS, AKS, and GKE cluster under the same network using Terraform:

resource "aws_vpc" "my_vpc" {
  cidr_block = "10.0.0.0/16"
}

resource "azurerm_resource_group" "my_resource_group" {
  name     = "my-resource-group"
  location = "westus2"
}

resource "google_compute_network" "my_network" {
  name                    = "my-network"
  auto_create_subnetworks = false
}

resource "aws_eks_cluster" "my_eks_cluster" {
  name     = "my-eks-cluster"
  role_arn = aws_iam_role.eks.arn
  vpc_config {
    subnet_ids = aws_subnet.private.*.id
  }
}

resource "azurerm_kubernetes_cluster" "my_aks_cluster" {
  name                = "my-aks-cluster"
  location            = azurerm_resource_group.my_resource_group.location
  resource_group_name = azurerm_resource_group.my_resource_group.name
  dns_prefix          = "myakscluster"
  linux_profile {
    admin_username = "azureuser"
  }
  network_profile {
    network_plugin = "azure"
  }
}

resource "google_container_cluster" "my_gke_cluster" {
  name = "my-gke-cluster"
  network = google_compute_network.my_network.self_link
}

Conclusion

Kubernetes on the cloud offers numerous benefits such as easier management of containerized applications, higher scalability, and better cost-effectiveness. AWS, Azure, and GCP are three popular cloud providers that offer Kubernetes services. Each service has its benefits and limitations, and the choice depends on your specific needs. You can also use a hybrid approach that combines multiple cloud providers for your Kubernetes deployment. With the right tools and knowledge, you can create a robust and scalable Kubernetes deployment that meets your organization’s needs.