Kubernetes Architecture Made Simple: A Smooth Sailing with the Ship and Cargo Analogy
Tags: devops, kubernetes, containers, docker
Published: 2023-03-21 13:33:05

> "Ahoy, mateys! Welcome aboard the Kubernetes architecture! If you're navigating the choppy waters of containerised applications, you know that setting sail without a capable captain can spell disaster. That's where Kubernetes comes in - the trusted captain of the container orchestration world. But what makes this system seaworthy?"

![Containers](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/0u47r99vw234tae5txvx.jpeg)

In this article, we'll explore the Kubernetes architecture using a ship and cargo scenario, so grab your lifejacket and let's set sail!

Okay but first… **What is Kubernetes? **

Kubernetes is a container orchestration system that automates the deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications. It simplifies the task of managing complex distributed systems, providing a reliable and flexible platform for running and scaling modern applications with a wide range of advanced features and capabilities. 

This system is made up of several components, each with a specific role in managing the containers that make up an application.

Okay then… Let's understand the **Kubernetes Architecture **

To better understand the Kubernetes architecture, let's use a ship and cargo scenario. Imagine a fleet of cargo ships sailing across the sea. The main ship, which houses the captain and navigates the fleet, represents the **Kubernetes Master Node.** The master node is the central control plane for the cluster, responsible for managing and monitoring the state of the system.

The **etcd**, a distributed key-value store that stores the configuration and state of the system, can be represented by a document onboard the main ship. This document contains all the information about the fleet and its cargo, such as the current location of each ship, the contents of each container, and the desired state of the system.

The **API server**, which acts as the front-end for the Kubernetes control plane and handles all the requests from the various components, can be compared to the communication system on the main ship. The API server receives requests from the Kubernetes components and returns responses based on the current state of the system.

The **kube-scheduler**, which decides which worker node should run a specific container, can be compared to a crane controler on the main ship that determines where to store the cargo containers. The scheduler takes into account the available resources on the worker nodes and schedules the containers accordingly. 

The different controllers, such as the **replica set controller, deployment controller,** and **stateful set controller**, can be represented by the different offices on the main ship. Each office has a different responsibility, such as managing the replica sets, deployments, and stateful sets of the containers.

The cargo ships in the fleet represent the **Kubernetes worker nodes**. Each cargo ship has a captain, which represents the **kubelet**, responsible for managing the containers on the ship. The captain communicates with the API server to ensure that the desired state of the system is maintained.

The **kube-proxy**, which is responsible for managing the network connectivity between the pods and the outside world, can be represented by the shipping ports where the cargo ships dock to load and unload the containers. The ports provide a way for the cargo ships to communicate with the outside world and exchange information about the cargo.



### Summary
Kubernetes is a container orchestration system that manages the deployment, scaling, and operation of containerized applications. The architecture of Kubernetes consists of a set of components that work together to create and manage a distributed system of containerized applications. By using the ship and cargo scenario, we can better understand how each component of Kubernetes works together to manage and coordinate the movement of containerized applications in the cluster.

So, there you have it - a high-level view of the Kubernetes architecture. If you're new to this system, we hope this article has given you a better understanding of how it works. If you're an experienced sailor, we hope this article has been a fun reminder of the power of analogy. Until next time, fair winds and following seas!"