How to Install Kubernetes in Command Prompt?

Kubernetes, commonly known as K8s, is a powerful open-source container orchestration platform that automates the deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications. Installing Kubernetes on your local machine using the Command Prompt can be a crucial step in familiarizing yourself with its capabilities. In this guide, we'll walk through the process step by step, providing clear instructions and examples to help you get Kubernetes up and running smoothly.

Prerequisites:

Before we dive into the installation process, ensure that you have the following prerequisites:

1. Docker: Kubernetes relies on containerization, and Docker is a popular choice. Install Docker on your machine if you haven't already.

2. Kubectl: Kubectl is the command-line tool used to interact with Kubernetes clusters. Install it to manage your Kubernetes clusters effectively.

Step 1: Download and Install Minikube

Minikube is a tool that makes it easy to run Kubernetes clusters locally. Follow these commands to download and install Minikube:

choco install minikube

This command uses Chocolatey, a package manager for Windows, to install Minikube. If you don't have Chocolatey installed, you can find the installation instructions on their website.

Step 2: Start Minikube

Once Minikube is installed, start a new cluster with the following command:

minikube start

This command initializes a virtual machine and sets up a Kubernetes cluster on your local environment.

Step 3: Verify Minikube Installation

To confirm that Minikube is running successfully, use the following command:

minikube status

This command should display information about the cluster, such as its status and the Kubernetes version.

Step 4: Install kubectl

If you haven't installed kubectl yet, use the following command to install it:

choco install kubernetes-cli

Step 5: Verify kubectl Installation

Confirm the successful installation of kubectl by checking its version:

kubectl version --client

This command should display the client version of kubectl.

Step 6: Interact with Your Cluster

Now that both Minikube and kubectl are installed, interact with your local cluster using kubectl commands. For example:

kubectl get nodes

This command shows the nodes in your Kubernetes cluster.

Step 7: Deploy a Sample Application

Let's deploy a simple NGINX web server as a sample application:

kubectl create deployment nginx --image=nginx

Step 8: Expose the Deployment

Expose the NGINX deployment to make it accessible:

kubectl expose deployment nginx --port=80 --type=NodePort

Step 9: Access the Application

Retrieve the external URL to access the NGINX application:

minikube service nginx --url

Visit the provided URL in your web browser to see the NGINX welcome page.

Congratulations! You have successfully installed Kubernetes on your local machine using the Command Prompt. This provides you with a playground to explore and learn more about container orchestration. Feel free to experiment with different deployments, services, and configurations to deepen your understanding of Kubernetes.