Today, organizations are looking at every opportunity to make their operations easier and seamless. One potent solution gaining popularity is running Kubernetes. It’s an open source container orchestration platform designed to automate the process of deploying, scaling, and operating a host of containerized applications.
Because of this, many companies are adopting it. As of 2022, 61% of organizations are using Kubernetes for their operations. Now, combined with Amazon Web Services (AWS), Kubernetes is further bolstered as access to users who can tap into a wide range of cloud computing resources and services is provided.
But what does that really mean for your business? To know the answer, here are the many benefits this combination offers.
Scalability That Grows With Your Needs
Imagine you’re running a popular online gaming server. You could count on seeing several thousand players online on any given day. But what if it were a major gaming day and tens of thousands attempted to log on to play at the same time? Your server infrastructure would need to scale out in rapid succession in order to maintain a high level of server performance.
This is exactly what scalability in the tech world looks like. When you run Kubernetes on AWS, you’re essentially setting up a system that can effortlessly grow or shrink based on your needs. AWS services provide the robust infrastructure that allows your Kubernetes cluster to scale up when traffic spikes and scale down when things are quieter. This means you’re always prepared for whatever comes your way, without wasting resources during slower periods.
Managed Services
Running a complex system like Kubernetes can be challenging, especially if you’re not a tech wizard. This is where Amazon Elastic Kubernetes Service comes into play. Think of EKS as your personal Kubernetes expert, always on call to help manage and maintain your system.
With this elastic container service, you don’t have to worry about the nitty-gritty details of setting up and managing your Kubernetes cluster. Better yet, EKS-powered Kubernetes can be implemented with the help of DoiT or similar reputable service providers. This frees up your time and resources to focus on what really matters: developing and improving your applications.
Seamless Integration
One of the biggest advantages of using AWS is its vast ecosystem of services. When you run Kubernetes on it, you’re not just getting a container orchestration system—you’re getting access to a whole world of complementary tools and services.
Need a way to distribute incoming traffic? AWS load balancers have got you covered. Looking for reliable storage solutions? AWS offers various options that integrate smoothly with Kubernetes. And when it comes to managing who can access what in your system, AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM) works hand in hand with Kubernetes to keep everything secure.
High Availability
Services need to be up 24/7, and minutes of unavailable services mean users taking to social media to vent their frustration, leading to revenues being lost. A whopping 82% of businesses report going through unplanned downtime at least once in the last three years, while many are burdened by even more than one outage. And here’s where high availability comes in, an area in which running Kubernetes on AWS really shines.
AWS has data centers all around the world called availability zones. When running Kubernetes on AWS, applications can be spread across multiple zones, not putting all your eggs in one basket. If one zone had issues, then your application could successfully continue running from the other zones. So, even when there are unexpected problems, your services can remain up and running.
Cost Optimization
Running an AWS Kubernetes gives you the flexibility to optimize your spending in ways that might not be possible with traditional setups. AWS offers a wide range of instance types—think of these as different sizes and types of virtual machines. Some are designed for compute-heavy tasks, others for memory-intensive operations, and so on. Kubernetes can be configured to use the most appropriate and cost-effective instance types for your specific needs.
AWS also provides several pricing models for huge cost reductions, including spot instances for non-critical workloads. In other words, that’s kind of like airline tickets: if you’re flexible about exactly when you fly, you can buy your tickets a great deal cheaper. Leveraging these options will ensure that you get the most value out of every dollar that you spend on your infrastructure.
Robust Security
A recent report found that 29% of organizations were materially impacted by cyber incidents in 2023. This highlights the importance of security. Thankfully, one of the key features of AWS is its strong security measures. And when combined with Kubernetes, you get a powerful duo for keeping your applications and data safe.
AWS provides multiple layers of security, from network-level protections to encryption options for data at rest and in transit. Kubernetes adds its own security features on top of this, with options for fine-grained access control and isolation between different parts of your application.
Comprehensive Monitoring and Logging
AWS CloudWatch manages integration with Kubernetes, which can perform very thorough monitoring and logging. That’s to say, you’ll be able to view your application’s performance and keep a lookout for impending problems, gathering insights that might become important in the long term.
Automation
One particular way for companies to keep up with the pace and be competitive is automation. Running Kubernetes on AWS opens a new world of possibilities toward automating tasks that are too time-consuming and prone to errors, thus increasing efficiency in general. AWS includes tools such as CloudFormation and Cloud Development Kit (CDK) that can automate the building and management of your Kubernetes clusters.
The Takeaway
Running Kubernetes on AWS is a revolutionary container orchestration platform. It simplifies your IT, amplifies efficiency, and keeps you relevant. Be it a small business or a big corporation, the combination of both holds all the key features that one needs in this ever-growing digital ecosystem.
