k8or on GCP

Tailoring the Kubernetes cluster with Pre-Selected Products on Google Cloud: An In-Depth Look

Raj Mars Marni February 4, 2024

Here's a detailed map and guide to building k8or example using managed GCP services:

Managed Services:

Scheduling and Orchestration:

Instead of managing your own Kubernetes control plane, utilize Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE). This fully managed service handles upgrades, patching, and scaling, making it ideal for beginners and experienced users alike.

Database:

For a managed relational database, choose Cloud SQL. It supports various engines like MySQL, PostgreSQL, and Aurora MySQL. For NoSQL, consider Cloud Spanner or Cloud Firestore.

Continuous Integration and Delivery:

Leverage Cloud Build for building, testing, and deploying your applications to the cluster. It integrates seamlessly with other GCP services and supports diverse build configurations.

Streaming and Messaging:

Opt for Cloud Pub/Sub for a fully managed publish-subscribe messaging system. It offers high scalability, reliability, and integration with other GCP services.

Service Mesh:

Simplify service-to-service communication with Istio. GKE supports deploying Istio on your cluster for traffic management, observability, and security features.

API Gateway:

Use Apigee for managing and securing external access to your applications. It simplifies API development, provides scalability, and offers advanced management features.

Monitoring:

Employ Cloud Monitoring for comprehensive monitoring of your cluster and applications. It collects metrics, logs, and events for analysis and troubleshooting.

Logging:

For centralized log management, use Cloud Logging. It aggregates logs from various sources and allows filtering and analysis.

Storage:

Depending on your needs, consider:

Cloud Storage: Object storage for unstructured data like backups and media.
Persistent Disk: Block storage for persistent volumes attached to applications.
Cloud Filestore: Shared file system for containerized applications.

Container Registry:

Store and manage container images securely with Google Container Registry (GCR). It integrates seamlessly with GKE deployments.

Deployment Steps:

Create a GCP Account: Sign up for a free tier account on GCP.
Launch a GKE Cluster and set up a basic cluster using the Cloud Console or gcloud CLI.
Configure Managed Services:
- Database: Create Cloud SQL or Spanner instances following their respective documentation.
- Continuous Integration and Delivery: Set up a Cloud Build pipeline with necessary steps for code building, testing, and deployment to GKE.
- Streaming and Messaging: Create a Cloud Pub/Sub topic and configure subscriptions as needed.
- Service Mesh: Enable Istio on your GKE cluster and configure service meshes for your applications.
- API Gateway: Create and configure Apigee API proxies for exposing your applications publicly or privately.
- Monitoring: Install the Stackdriver Agent on your cluster nodes and configure Cloud Monitoring/Logging dashboards.
- Logging: Install the Stackdriver Agent on your cluster nodes and configure Cloud Monitoring/Logging dashboards.
- Storage: Create appropriate storage volumes or file systems based on your application needs.
- Container Registry: Set up a GCR repository to store and manage your container images.
Deploy Applications: Use kubectl or tools like Helm to deploy your applications to the GKE cluster, leveraging container images from GCR.

Additional Resources:

GCP Documentation: The official documentation for each service offers detailed instructions and best practices.
GCP Quickstart Guides: Various GCP services provide Getting Started guides that simplify initial setup.
GCP Codelabs: Participate in free online hands-on labs to gain practical experience with various services.

Remember:

This is a high-level overview. Each service has its own configuration options and considerations.
Start small and gradually add complexity as you become more comfortable with GCP and Kubernetes.
Consider security best practices throughout the deployment process.
Leverage GCP documentation and support resources for further assistance.
By following these steps and utilizing the recommended managed services, you can build a robust and scalable Kubernetes cluster on GCP, even with limited prior experience.
Important Note: While the GCP service offerings are similar to other cloud providers, there are some key differences in naming and functionality. Be sure to carefully review the specific documentation for each service to ensure you understand its capabilities and limitations within the GCP ecosystem.