Kubernetes

Kubernetes is the leading open-source platform for orchestrating containers. It automates the deployment, scaling and operation of containerized applications across many servers.

A Kubernetes cluster consists of a control plane and worker nodes on which applications run in pods. The declarative principle is central: the desired state is described – Kubernetes establishes and maintains it. If a container or node fails, the platform restarts the workload on its own (self-healing); at peak loads it scales automatically. Originally developed by Google and today maintained by the Cloud Native Computing Foundation, Kubernetes is available as a managed service in all major clouds and can equally be operated in the organization's own data center.

This portability makes Kubernetes the common operating platform of hybrid environments – and the logical continuation of Containerization: containers standardize the application, Kubernetes standardizes its operation. Operation itself remains demanding and requires expertise in networking, storage and security.