How to Install Kubernetes on Terminal?

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 terminal allows you to efficiently manage and deploy containerized applications at scale. In this guide, we'll walk you through the step-by-step process of installing Kubernetes on your terminal.

Prerequisites:

Before diving into the installation process, ensure that you have the following prerequisites in place:

1. Linux Environment: Kubernetes is well-supported on Linux distributions. Make sure you are using a Linux-based operating system.

2. Docker: Kubernetes relies on containerization, and Docker is a popular choice for container runtime. Install Docker on your system before proceeding with Kubernetes installation.

Step 1: Install kubectl

The Kubernetes command-line tool, kubectl, is essential for interacting with your Kubernetes cluster. Install it using the following commands:

sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install -y kubectl

Step 2: Install Minikube

Minikube is a tool that allows you to run Kubernetes clusters locally. It's an excellent choice for development and testing purposes. Install Minikube with the following commands:

curl -LO https://storage.googleapis.com/minikube/releases/latest/minikube-linux-amd64
sudo install minikube-linux-amd64 /usr/local/bin/minikube

Step 3: Start Minikube Cluster

Initiate a Minikube cluster by running the following command:

minikube start

Step 4: Verify Installation

Ensure that your Kubernetes cluster is up and running by verifying the status:

kubectl cluster-info

Step 5: Deploy a Sample Application

Let's deploy a simple application to test our Kubernetes cluster. Use the following YAML file to deploy an NGINX web server:

apiVersion: apps/v1
kind: Deployment
metadata:
  name: nginx-deployment
spec:
  replicas: 2
  selector:
    matchLabels:
      app: nginx
  template:
    metadata:
      labels:
        app: nginx
    spec:
      containers:
      - name: nginx
        image: nginx:latest
        ports:
        - containerPort: 80

Apply the configuration using:

kubectl apply -f nginx-deployment.yaml

Step 6: Access the Deployed Application

Expose the NGINX deployment to an external IP:

kubectl expose deployment nginx-deployment --type=NodePort

Retrieve the external IP and port:

minikube service nginx-deployment --url

Open the provided URL in your web browser to access the NGINX web server.

Step 7: Cleanup

After testing, clean up your environment by stopping and deleting the Minikube cluster:

minikube stop
minikube delete

Congratulations! You've successfully installed Kubernetes on your terminal and deployed a sample application. This foundational knowledge will empower you to explore more advanced features and capabilities within the Kubernetes ecosystem. Experiment with different configurations and deployments to enhance your understanding of container orchestration.