What is Keptn in Kubernetes?

Keptn, an open-source platform built on top of Kubernetes, has emerged as a powerful tool for automating the deployment and operations of cloud-native applications. In the dynamic world of container orchestration, Keptn stands out as a robust solution that simplifies and enhances the management of applications in Kubernetes environments. This article delves into the core concepts of Keptn, its features, and how it seamlessly integrates with Kubernetes.

Understanding Keptn:

Keptn, short for "Keptn the Kubernetes Event-driven Transformation," is designed to automate and streamline various aspects of cloud-native application delivery. It follows a declarative approach, allowing users to define their desired state and letting Keptn handle the execution and management.

Key Features of Keptn:

1. Event-Driven Automation:
   Keptn operates on an event-driven paradigm, responding to triggers and events within the Kubernetes ecosystem. This approach ensures a flexible and responsive automation framework.

2. Automated Quality Gates:
   Quality gates are essential in any CI/CD pipeline, and Keptn excels in automating these gates. It leverages automated testing to ensure that only high-quality, reliable code progresses through the deployment pipeline.

3. Continuous Delivery Orchestration:
   Keptn provides a comprehensive solution for continuous delivery orchestration. It manages the end-to-end process, from source code to deployment, incorporating various stages and environments seamlessly.

Getting Started with Keptn in Kubernetes:

Step 1: Installation of Keptn:

# Install Keptn CLI
curl -sL https://get.keptn.sh | sudo -E bash

# Install Keptn on Kubernetes cluster
keptn install

Step 2: Onboarding a Project:

# Create a new Keptn project
keptn create project my-project

# Onboard a service to the project
keptn onboard service my-service --project=my-project

Step 3: Defining Deployment Configuration:

# keptn shipyard.yaml
stages:
  - name: "dev"
    deployment_strategy: "direct"
  - name: "staging"
    deployment_strategy: "blue_green_service"
  - name: "production"
    deployment_strategy: "blue_green_service"

Step 4: Triggering Continuous Deployment:

# Trigger a deployment for the service
keptn trigger delivery --project=my-project --service=my-service --image=my-image:1.0.0

More Examples:

1. Automated Rollbacks:
   Keptn ensures reliability by facilitating automated rollbacks in case of deployment failures. This reduces manual intervention and accelerates the recovery process.

2. Integration with Monitoring Tools:
   Keptn seamlessly integrates with popular monitoring tools like Prometheus and Grafana, providing real-time insights into application performance during and after deployment.

3. Scalability and Extensibility:
   The architecture of Keptn is designed for scalability and extensibility, allowing users to customize and extend its functionalities based on specific requirements.

In the rapidly evolving landscape of Kubernetes and cloud-native applications, Keptn stands out as a valuable tool for automating and enhancing the deployment process. Its event-driven nature, automated quality gates, and comprehensive continuous delivery orchestration make it a compelling choice for organizations seeking efficiency and reliability in their DevOps practices.