Kubernetes on VMware Workstation: Setup & Options

Kubernetes is an open-source system that automates the scalability, deployment, and management of containerized applications. In a simple approach, Kubernetes helps to run application containers anywhere, whether on physical servers, virtual machines (VMs), or in the cloud. And because Kubernetes is cloud-agnostic, it provides the flexibility to deploy the applications in any environment. It is simple to deploy Kubernetes on VMware, one of the most widely used virtualization systems. The simplest method is to utilize a Kubernetes distribution like MicroK8s or k3s. However, there are other options as well.

Once Kubernetes is set up and running on VMware, one can start deploying their applications. Kubernetes makes it easy to roll out new versions of your applications and handle all the networking, storage, and security for you. If you're looking for a powerful and flexible way to deploy your applications, Kubernetes on VMware is a great option. 

Kubernetes installation is simple and easy, and Kubernetes takes care of all the heavy lifting for you. This makes Kubernetes an ideal solution for anyone who wants to run application containers at scale. KnowledgeHut is an online platform trusted by many for its Certification for Kubernetes. Learn more and acquire job-ready skills about the fastest growing open source project and be a Kubernetes administrator in no time. Now, focus on developing your applications instead of worrying about infrastructure. 

What is Kubernetes?

Launched by Google in 2015, Kubernetes is an open-source system for automating the management, deployment, and scaling of containerized applications. In Google's own words, it is "designed to make it easier for developers to create and deploy applications that run across a distributed system." Essentially, Kubernetes provides a platform for running and managing docker containers at scale. It includes a number of features, such as self-healing, autoscaling, and rolling updates, which makes it an attractive option for large-scale deployments. While Kubernetes is primarily used by developers, it is also gaining popularity among ops teams as a tool for simplifying the management of complex deployments.

What is VMware Kubernetes?

Kubernetes VMware is a system that enables the orchestration and management of containerized applications. Based on the solution that enables organizations to manage their applications and workloads in a hybrid or multi-cloud environment, Kubernetes in VMware provides a consistent management interface that allows users to centrally manage and secure their applications and workloads across both traditional virtual machine-based workloads and modern environments. VMware Kubernetes provides all of the features of Kubernetes, plus additional enterprise-grade features such as enhanced security, integration with vSphere infrastructure, and support for high-availability deployments.

Kubernetes VMware integrates seamlessly with VMware's vSphere platform, making it easy to deploy and manage Kubernetes clusters on vSphere infrastructure. Available as a downloadable package from the VMware website, the Kubernetes on VMware installation process is simple and straightforward, and once installed, this makes an ideal solution for organizations that want to adopt containers but need the added stability and management features that come with an enterprise-grade solution on a hybrid or multi-cloud environment.

How Does Kubernetes Run on VMware?

An open-source framework for container orchestration called Kubernetes streamlines the administration of containerized applications. The majority of businesses use virtualization platforms from VMware. Using VMware infrastructure to deploy and manage containers alongside conventional virtual machines is becoming more and more necessary as containers gain popularity.

Kubernetes is a promising approach to coordinating the deployment and operational management of contemporary, container-based applications. In 2019, VMware began assisting Kubernetes as a component of its vSphere virtualization platform, which also consists of the ESXi hypervisor. Kubernetes in VMware acts like a standard Kubernetes cluster, with processes and tools working across various implementations. Application developers tend to use Kubernetes' "declarative syntax" to specify the resources they want, including storage, bare metal servers, networking, and even relationships and availability needs. VMware with Kubernetes allows them to use industry-grade Kubernetes syntax with upstream Kubernetes development instead of exclusive access to vSphere APIs, infrastructure, or even the clients. 

Why Run Kubernetes on VMware?

Updated infrastructures like VMware cloud foundation and vSphere integrate Kubernetes with deep integration, bringing enterprise-grade Kubernetes native platform to VMware. This makes it possible for contemporary Kubernetes-based applications to coexist peacefully alongside older VM-based applications while utilizing all the robust capabilities and features of VMware infrastructure.

Kubernetes with VMware offers a few enticing advantages over most other methods, such as:

1. Quick Start

Fast time-to-market and a frictionless customer experience are now essential for competitive advantage. The ability to innovate rapidly relies on Kubernetes-managed container technologies and cloud-native development techniques. Inadequate knowledge of Kubernetes and managers with the requisite skills can make setting up a Kubernetes environment challenging. Nevertheless. Vmware and Kubernetes can solve the issue by developing a developer-ready Kubernetes platform that supports the user's existing skills right out of the box. 

2. Modify current applications without altering

Without requiring a full migration, VMware Kubernetes makes it possible to upgrade apps. Without having to completely rewrite the program or significantly alter its architecture, VMware and Kubernetes accomplish this by enabling existing programs to be containerized and then run on top of a Kubernetes cluster. As a result, businesses can quickly and simply update their current apps to take advantage of cloud-native apps' advantages without having to invest in a time-consuming and expensive transfer. 

3. Accelerate app production

New applications can be time-consuming and challenging to implement into production. From writing the code to testing and deploying the application, there are several processes that must be followed. Kubernetes on VMware workstation seeks to simplify and accelerate this process by assisting in putting new apps into production fast and effectively by automating many of the procedures required in setting up and operating a Kubernetes cluster. Additionally, VMware Kubernetes provides a comprehensive set of tools that might aid in streamlining the entire process.

4. Eliminate Unwanted Silos

In a traditional data center infrastructure, there are often silos between old and new applications, which can lead to conflicts and inefficiencies. Kubernetes in VMware can help to eliminate these silos by providing a unified platform for managing both old and new applications. By using containers, Kubernetes can abstract away the differences between various applications and make it easy to deploy and manage them all from a single platform. As a result, VMware Kubernetes can help reduce the time and effort required to manage data center infrastructure while also making it easier to scale and update applications.

How to Run Kubernetes on VMware [Step-by-Step]

Known for its ability to be used to deploy, scale, and manage containerized applications, Kubernetes is an open-source container orchestration system. While Kubernetes can run on any type of infrastructure, it has native integration with VMware vSphere, making it a popular choice for enterprises that are looking to adopt containers but want to stick with their existing VMware infrastructure. However, in order to turn it on automatically through VMWare Cloud Foundation, you need to deploy Kubernetes on VMware with the following steps -  

Step 1. Create a Workload Domain

Workload domains are collections of software-defined computing, storage, and networking resources. According to the resource requirements of your Kubernetes workload, size the domain. Built on a full-stack hyperconverged infrastructure (HCI) technology, it is a hybrid cloud platform for managing virtual machines and orchestrating containers. The best platform to run Kubernetes workloads at volume is VMware Cloud Foundation and VMware Tanzu.

The first step to deploying Kubernetes on VMware is to select the appropriate cluster size and network configuration. Next, you will need to create a storage class and deploy the Kubernetes control plane. Finally, you can launch your applications on the new workload domain. With VMware Cloud Foundation for Kubernetes, it is easy to get started with Kubernetes without having to worry about the underlying infrastructure.

Step 2. Deploy an NSX Edge Cluster

An NSX Edge Cluster controls the networking between the existing cluster and outside resources. As a part of the procedure, it takes care of the NAT and load balancing.

You need to first configure NSX T0 Logical Routers before installing an NSX Edge cluster to use VMware to run Kubernetes. These routers can be built using the NSX Manager, then deployed on your ESXi hosts. The next step is to set up an NSX Edge cluster. The vSphere Web Client can be used to accomplish this. You must set up your Edge cluster and then configure it to use Kubernetes by Editing the Cluster configuration file. The last step is to deploy your Kubernetes pods to the Edge cluster. The command-line program kubectl can be used to accomplish this. By following these steps, you can simply install an NSX Edge cluster to run Kubernetes on VMware.

Step 3. Enable Kubernetes

Lastly, You can deploy Kubernetes on VMware by turning on workload management in Cloud Foundation after setting up a workload domain and an edge cluster.

With VMware Tanzu serving as the control plane, this method configures virtual machines to function as Kubernetes nodes. To enable container execution, it also delivers a Kubernetes runtime to the cluster. Kubernetes deployment is mostly automated. Virtual machines will be configured automatically by VMware, so you won't have to worry about manual configuration.

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Who Should Use VMware Kubernetes?

When it comes to managing containerized workloads, Kubernetes is fast becoming the industry standard. However, many organizations are still unsure about whether or not they should make the switch to this open-source platform. In general, VMware Kubernetes is a good fit for organizations that have already invested in VMware infrastructure and are looking for a way to manage containers in a consistent manner.

Additionally, Kubernetes can be beneficial for organizations that are looking for an enterprise-grade solution that is also open source and, therefore, easy to customize. Finally, those who are looking for a platform that can run both on-premises and in the cloud may find Kubernetes on VMware workstations to be a good option. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to use VMware Kubernetes depends on the specific needs of the organization. 

However, Kubernetes in VMware works differently for administrators and developers.  

To a developer, Kubernetes on VMware vSphere looks and functions like a standard Kubernetes cluster. Their techniques and tools can be applied in various ways. The "declarative syntax" of Kubernetes allows them to specify the resources they need, including storage, networking, relationships, and availability needs. Since they make use of the widely accepted Kubernetes syntax, they don't require direct access to or familiarity with the VMware vSphere APIs, clients, or infrastructure. 

Although VMware vSphere now offers more workload management features to better satisfy developer requests, it still seems to a VMware Administrator to continue operating in the same manner it has for decades. To manage VMware vSphere, one can still utilize the vSphere Client, PowerCLI, and APIs. Kubernetes' words for resource and policy management, "namespaces," allow vSphere Administrators to control the privacy, resource consumption, and connectivity options available to developers. You can learn and master Kuberenetes through DevOps courses. It will help you to gain an understanding of how to deploy, use, and maintain your applications on Kubernetes. It will help you understand how to deploy, use, and maintain your applications on Kubernetes. 

Benefits of VMware Kubernetes

Running Kubernetes with VMware, in contrast to most other methods, offers a few significant benefits for particular use scenarios. Benefits include: 

1. Coordinate the management of containers and VMs

The most notable benefit of VMware Kubernetes is that VMware is a framework that values both containers and standard VMs equally. You may build up and manage traditional VMs along Kubernetes clusters using Cloud Foundation and vSphere. 

Other technologies, such as KubeVirt, can be used to coordinate VMs in Kubernetes. However, rather than coexisting with your Kubernetes cluster, your VMs end up doing so in that scenario. VMware makes it simple to manage VMs and containers through a single platform while running them independently. 

2. Comprehensive Infrastructure

With VMware Kubernetes, you have access to a single platform for computing, storage, and networking resources needed to run a Kubernetes cluster. Additionally, VMware offers a straightforward and automatic procedure for creating workload domains that can house a cluster using that architecture, as we will demonstrate below.

3. Automated setup for Kubernetes

The majority of the process for deploying Kubernetes components on VMware is automated. That's true on many different Kubernetes systems, of course, but VMware does a good job of making the setup for Kubernetes very straightforward. 

4. GUI-Based Governance

With VMware, the vSphere GUI can be used to manage the majority of Kubernetes setup and administrative duties. This is helpful for administrators who aren't adept at using Kubectl and don't want to manage anything via the CLI. 

5. Air-Gapping

Since VMware Kubernetes enables air-gapping, you can completely cut off your clusters from the Internet. That is helpful for use cases that demand a high level of privacy and security. Other Kubernetes platforms frequently lack air-gapping capability because they need persistent Internet connectivity. 

6. Cloud-Agnostic

VMware may operate in almost any kind of environment, including on-premises, in a standalone public cloud, a multi-cloud configuration, a hybrid cloud, and a private cloud. VMware Kubernetes can consequently run practically anywhere.

Conclusion

In the VMware universe, Kubernetes is an important entity. Although the Kubernetes tools provided by VMware are not the easiest or lightest, it is a wonderful option if you want to be able to deploy Kubernetes regardless of the infrastructure and manage containers and virtual machines from a single platform. 

You can find multiple DevOps courses to obtain the abilities, expertise, and information necessary to succeed as a Kubernetes administrator. However, KnowledgeHut is ready to provide you with the best courses about installation, configuration, scheduling, architecture, workload management, networking, storage, as well as how to debug in relation to the Kubernetes environment. Learn Docker and Kubernetes from the best faculties and build a stellar career for your future.