The Best Kubernetes Tools For Managing Large Scale Projects

Introduction

Kubernetes raised the bar on the competition. Now a mature technology, organizations across the globe are increasingly embracing a software development strategy focused on container-oriented microservices. Kubernetes is popular in the industry and industry leaders are helping it grow further, creating robust frameworks, and a Kubernetes core-based ecosystem. Because of its ability to meet the most diverse requirements and constraints an application can build, it’s firmly set as the most common open-source container orchestration framework.

In this article, we’ll take a look at the best tools for Kubernetes. These tools will compliment K8s and boost your development operations so you can get more from Kubernetes.

Kubernetes Deployment Tools:

1. Helm:

Helm is a newer configuration management tool within the Kubernetes world. It uses a YAML file form called Charts which are similar to a Debian, an Apt, or a Yum RPM. Charts are used to describe, install, and update Kubernetes. They are prototypical, and support even the most complex Kubernetes services. Charts are thoughtfully built to be easily produced and maintained. They can be exchanged, used for Kubernetes publishing, and contain a kit description and at least one example. Templates contain manifest files on Kubernetes and can be reused several times for deployment. If more than one instance of the same chart is mounted, a new release will be produced.

2.Apollo:

Apollo offers a Kubernetes Control UI that allows logs to be viewed and you can revert to a deployment version with just a simple click. It also offers a pattern of versatile permissions and is a lightweight tool for continuous deployment. Apollo can add to any existing construction cycle and only needs to be informed of a "ready artifact." This Kubernetes management tool enables users to control several Kubernetes clusters. These clusters can have different namespaces. The live querying function lets you show the latest deployment status and allows visualization of pod status, reading logs, and restarting pods.

3. Kubespray:

Kubespray is a Kubernetes management tool that works through Ansible roles. It supports AWS, Google Cloud Environment, Azure, and OpenStack. Kubespray benefits those familiar with Ansible, but with a slight learning curve, making both provisioning and management possible through a single tool. Kubespray enables continuous integration tests and support is available for most Linux distros.

The Best Kubernetes CLI Tools:

1. Kubectl:

Kubectl is the default Kubernetes CLI Tool and supports all of the Kubernetes based operations. Nodes are detected in the $HOME directory via the config file. Kubectl accepts additional kubeconfig files as well. Simply set the variable to the appropriate location - you can do this with the –kubeconfig flag, too. Docker users can communicate with the API server using kubectl. Kubectl commands are similar to Docker commands, with just a few small variations.

2. Kubectx:

Both of these Kubernetes instruments are accessible via a shared repo. Over kubectl they have additional functions. In multi-cluster environments, kubectx is a useful method that can be used to switch context among clusters. One major benefit of kubectx is the ability to disguise cluster names. This feature enables context switching with the "kubectx [disguise]" command. kubectx knows the previous context. This memory allows "kubectx-." to turn back (note: kubectx isn't available for Windows).

3. Kube-shell:

Kube-shell can be used to complement kubectl - it’s formed on top of kubectl and improves performance by rendering commands auto-complete. It suggests commands based on certain values that are typed. Kube-shell includes explanations in-line until the commands are executed. Another critical feature is cycling from previous functions, which can be achieved by clicking the arrow keys.

What Are The Top CI/CD Tools For Kubernetes?

1. CI Tools That Support Kubernetes:

CI tools have been around for quite some time, and have been designed to merge testing and incorporate improvements with the rest of the code base, as described earlier. If your tests go through, you can create a Docker image and submit it to a repository.

Now with Kubernetes quickly becoming a proven part of the cloud-native app development process, CI tools have grown further and several have added cluster deployability.

While all of these tools are good choices for continuous integration, additional tools are needed to achieve a complete pipeline. As a result, you are responsible for hardening the security and developing the custom scripts needed to deploy your updates to the cluster. With Weave Cloud, you can use all of these resources and don't have to fear that your server credentials are outside of your network.

Tools in this category include:

• Jenkins
• Travis
• Circle CI
• Gitlab

2. CD Tools That Support Kubernetes:

This group comprises resources that do one thing only - Continuous Delivery to Kubernetes. With these tools, you can pick the CI program you like, and the container registry, while the CD portion of the rest will be taken care of.

Tools in this category include:

• Weave Cloud
• Shippable
• Codefresh
• https://harness.io/

As stated earlier, only Weave Cloud manages cluster credentials in a secure manner and holds them within the cluster they belong to - otherwise, they could be exposed, and allow unauthorized access to the cluster.

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What Are Kubernetes Security Tools?

The security requirements of containers are special. They diverge from other hosting styles, such as VPS. The explanation for that is that they have to protect more layers. These involve images of the container runtime, the orchestrator, and the program. Some advanced resources are set out below:

• Twistlock: Twistlock is a container protection solution with a complete life cycle. It has a VMS, which checks for any vulnerabilities, by continuously scanning Kubernetes, and there's even an Automated Firewall. Another essential function of Twistlock is the scanning of container images. Support for the components Node.js and Docker images is available. Twistlock focuses on two critical aspects of container protection. First, it continuously scans container images, as every day new data threats arise. Next, it focuses on the health of containers that operate. We must first set a standard for normal behavior that can be easily tracked afterward.
• Aqua: Before deployment, Aqua Protection scans the container images. This feature lets you read-only the picture. Immutable images are less vulnerable to threats. Often it allows phenomena to be quickly noticed. These scans are performed in every part of the application. One of its key functions is to protect multi-tenancy environments. Aqua performs this function while ensuring that tenants remain isolated. Isolation applies to both access and data. It scans for multiple security problems, such as established risks, hidden codes, and malware.
• Falco: A targeted security tool from Kubernetes which detects unusual activity in your containers. It is derived from the Sysdig Project and has become a staple of commerce. Falco controls containers that concentrate mainly on device calls to the kernels. They’re using a common set of rules for the control of several container layers to include the container, the program, the host, and the network itself.

TL;DR

• To sum up, we analyzed the main types of Kubernetes tools. Kubernetes has a partial list of open-source resources available which makes the container management experience more effective and less stressful.
• Kubernetes is constantly evolving, and is guided by an active user group. Thanks to this community, extensions, built-ins, add-ons, and bonus plugins easily fill the holes, making this container orchestration platform the perfect option for running your workloads.
• If you're new to Kubernetes and would like to know more about container management technology or migrating legacy applications, keep reading our Kubernetes articles.

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