K
About
Overview
Kubernetes, also known as K8s, is an open-source system for automating deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications. Originally designed by Google, it is now the industry standard for container orchestration.
Pricing & Free Tier
Free Tier: Yes. The Kubernetes software itself is 100% free and open-source.
Managed Services: You only pay for the cloud infrastructure (e.g., AWS EKS, Google GKE, Azure AKS) and the underlying compute/storage resources.
How to Use
- Install
kubectl(the command-line tool) and a local cluster like Minikube or Docker Desktop. - Write a YAML manifest file to define your deployment and services.
- Apply the configuration:
kubectl apply -f deployment.yaml - Check the status:
kubectl get pods
Important Notes
- Steep Learning Curve: K8s is complex. If you just need to run a simple app, Docker Compose or a PaaS like Railway/Render is much easier.
- Cost Management: If poorly configured, K8s can scale infinitely and result in massive cloud bills. Always set resource limits.