Kubernetes (k8s) - key points to demonstrate your k8s knowledge
Tags: kubernetes, overview, keypoints
Published: 2023-10-30 02:47:58

To convince interviewers that you understand Kubernetes (K8s), you should be prepared to discuss both fundamental concepts and practical experience. Here are key points to demonstrate your knowledge:

1. **Basic Kubernetes Concepts**:
   - Explain the core concepts, such as Pods, Services, Deployments, and ConfigMaps.
   - Describe how Kubernetes manages container orchestration and scaling.

2. **Kubernetes Architecture**:
   - Discuss the main components of the Kubernetes architecture, including the control plane (Master) and worker nodes (Minions).

3. **Deployment and Scaling**:
   - Describe how to deploy applications using Kubernetes Deployments or StatefulSets.
   - Explain how Horizontal Pod Autoscaling (HPA) works and when it's useful.

4. **Service Discovery and Load Balancing**:
   - Explain how Kubernetes Services enable service discovery and load balancing.
   - Discuss the differences between ClusterIP, NodePort, and LoadBalancer service types.

5. **Pods and Containers**:
   - Clarify the relationship between Pods and containers.
   - Discuss how you can use Init Containers and Sidecar Containers.

6. **Kubernetes Networking**:
   - Explain Kubernetes networking, including the role of the Container Network Interface (CNI) and how Pods can communicate with each other.

7. **Persistent Storage**:
   - Discuss persistent storage in Kubernetes, mentioning PersistentVolume (PV) and PersistentVolumeClaim (PVC) concepts.
   - Explain how StatefulSets are used for stateful applications.

8. **Kubernetes API**:
   - Mention the Kubernetes API and how it's used to interact with the cluster programmatically.
   - Discuss the importance of RBAC (Role-Based Access Control) for securing the API.

9. **Deployment Strategies**:
   - Explain Blue-Green deployments, Canary deployments, and Rolling deployments in Kubernetes.

10. **Monitoring and Logging**:
    - Talk about how you can monitor Kubernetes clusters using tools like Prometheus and Grafana.
    - Mention centralized logging solutions like Elasticsearch, Fluentd, and Kibana (EFK) or Loki.

11. **Troubleshooting**:
    - Share your experience with troubleshooting common issues in Kubernetes, such as Pod failures or resource constraints.

12. **Security Best Practices**:
    - Discuss Kubernetes security best practices, including Pod security policies, network policies, and image scanning.

13. **CI/CD Integration**:
    - Explain how Kubernetes integrates with CI/CD pipelines, especially using tools like Jenkins, GitLab CI/CD, or Tekton.

14. **Cloud-Native Concepts**:
    - Highlight your understanding of cloud-native principles and how Kubernetes fits into the cloud-native landscape.

15. **Real-World Experience**:
    - Provide examples of projects or scenarios where you've successfully used Kubernetes, showcasing your practical experience.

16. **Questions for the Interviewer**:
    - Prepare thoughtful questions about their Kubernetes infrastructure, challenges, and future plans. This shows your interest and engagement in the role.

Demonstrating a solid understanding of these Kubernetes topics and sharing practical experiences will help you impress your interviewers and show that you're well-equipped to work with Kubernetes in a professional setting.