Applications running in Kubernetes often require configuration settings such as database URLs, API keys, and environment variables. Kubernetes provides two key resources for managing this configuration data:

1. ConfigMaps – Store non-sensitive configuration data like environment variables and configuration files.
2. Secrets – Store sensitive information like passwords, tokens, and certificates securely.

What is a ConfigMap?

A ConfigMap allows you to store configuration data separately from your application code. This enables dynamic configuration updates without modifying container images.

Kubernetes manages containerized applications using fundamental building blocks like Pods, Deployments, and ReplicaSets. These concepts enable scalable, resilient, and automated deployments.

What is a Pod?

A Pod is the smallest deployable unit in Kubernetes. It represents one or more containers that share the same network namespace and storage.

Key Features of a Pod:

• Can contain one or multiple containers.
• Shares network and storage among containers in the pod.
• Has a unique IP address inside the cluster.

Example: A Simple Pod Manifest

In Kubernetes, Pods are ephemeral, meaning they can be created and destroyed dynamically. To allow stable communication between different components of an application, Kubernetes provides Services.

A Service exposes a set of Pods using a stable IP and DNS name, ensuring reliable networking within and outside the cluster.

Why Do We Need Kubernetes Services?

• Pods have dynamic IP addresses that change when restarted.
• Services provide a fixed virtual IP (VIP) that remains stable.
• Services enable load balancing across multiple pod instances.

Types of Kubernetes Services

Kubernetes provides four main types of services:

Helm is a powerful package manager for Kubernetes that simplifies the deployment, management, and scaling of applications. Instead of manually defining complex Kubernetes YAML files, you can use Helm charts, which provide a structured and reusable way to deploy applications.

In this guide, we will explore:

• What Helm charts are
• Their key components
• How to create and deploy a Helm chart
• A practical example

The DevOps landscape is constantly evolving, with new tools, methodologies, and best practices emerging regularly. Staying updated with insights from industry leaders helps DevOps engineers optimize workflows, enhance automation, and improve CI/CD pipelines. Here’s a list of top DevOps experts you should follow to stay ahead.

1. Gene Kim

Gene Kim is a DevOps pioneer, researcher, and co-author of The Phoenix Project, The Unicorn Project, and Accelerate. His work has significantly shaped DevOps culture, continuous delivery, and IT transformation.