Course: Develop Advanced Knowledge and Skills in Kubernetes (incl. guidance)

Learning the foundations of Kubernetes and why it is used will help you gain a better appreciation for its flexibility, as will becoming familiar with the Kubernetes CLI. In this course, you'll be introduced to Kubernetes and cluster management. You'll first learn about Kubernetes, including its key features and objects. You'll then explore the YAML templating language and advanced YAML. You'll examine a Kubernetes environment from both Windows and Linux perspectives. Next, you'll move on to learn about the imperative and declarative kubectl commands, as well as similarities and differences with imperative and declarative cluster management. Finally, you'll learn about the key advantages of declarative cluster management.

Discover the building blocks provide the foundation of real production clusters. In this course, you'll explore key Kubernetes concepts. You'll first learn how to identify pod its crucial role in Kubernetes. You'll then learn to identify the phases of a pod's life and a pod's lifecycle. You'll learn how resources can be allocated and restricted per-container and be able to identify what a Namespace is in Kubernetes. You'll then be introduce the concept of a policy, a ReplicaSet, and a DaemonSet in Kubernetes. You'll also learn about a Deployment and a Service in Kubernetes. Finally, you'll learn how to identify what an Ingress is in Kubernetes and understand its role.

In this challenge, you will create persistent resources in a Kubernetes cluster by using DaemonSets. First, you will identify the DaemonSets that are running in the cluster, and then you will display detailed information about a DaemonSet. Next, you will create a DaemonSet by using a definition file. Finally, you will delete a DaemonSet pod, and then you will verify that the DaemonSet created a new pod to replace the deleted pod. Note: Once you begin the challenge, you will not be able to pause, save, or exit and then return to your challenge. Please ensure that you have set aside enough time to complete the challenge before you start.

In this challenge, you will define a ClusterIP Service in a Kubernetes cluster. First, you will identify services that are running in the cluster. Next, you will create a Deployment, and then you will create a ClusterIP Service that will provide access to an application defined by the Deployment. Finally, you will access an application by using a ClusterIP Service, and then you will describe the attributes that couple a ClusterIP Service to a pod. Note: Once you begin a challenge you will not be able to pause, save, or return to your progress. Please ensure you have set aside enough time to complete the challenge before you start.

In this challenge, you will define a NodePort Service in a Kubernetes cluster. First, you will create a pod Deployment. Next, you will create a NodePort Service to provide external access to an application that is defined by the Deployment, and then you will scale the Deployment. Finally, you will access an application from an external production network. Note: Once you begin a challenge you will not be able to pause, save, or return to your progress. Please ensure you have set aside enough time to complete the challenge before you start.

In this challenge, you will manage pod scheduling in a Kubernetes(r) cluster by using nodeSelector and node affinity rules. First, you will create a Deployment that schedules pods by using the Kubernetes nodeSelector feature. Next, you will schedule a pod by using a required node affinity. Finally, you will schedule a pod by using a preferred node affinity. Note: Once you begin the challenge lab, you will not be able to pause, save, or exit and then return to your challenge lab. Please ensure that you have set aside enough time to complete the challenge lab before you start.

Explore clustering in-depth, practice with a real Kubernetes cluster, and learn about more advanced cluster management features of Kubernetes. In this course, you'll learn advanced clustering concepts in Kubernetes. First, you'll learn about clusters and nodes and the motivation behind clustering and its challenges. You'll then learn how Kubernetes was designed for distributed computing and that it is a clustering software. You'll explore a Kubernetes cluster with more than a single node and a simple pod scheduling policy. You'll also explore a secret in Kubernetes and why it is useful. You'll learn about init containers and Kubernetes networking policies Finally, you'll explore package management and Helm.

In this challenge, you will create a Deployment in a Kubernetes cluster. First, you will create a pod ReplicaSet, and then you will create a Deployment. Next, you will scale the Deployment, and then you will perform a rolling update of the Deployment. Finally, you will roll back the Deployment update to its previous state, and then you will delete the Deployment. Note: Once you begin a challenge you will not be able to pause, save, or return to your progress. Please ensure you have set aside enough time to complete the challenge before you start.

In this challenge, you will prepare an orchestrated container environment by installing Kubernetes cluster components. First, you will ensure that the provisioned Linux virtual machines and network environment satisfy the Kubernetes cluster installation requirements. Next, you will install Docker and Kubernetes cluster components. Finally, you will verify the Kubernetes component installation. Note: Once you begin a challenge you will not be able to pause, save, or return to your progress. Please ensure you have set aside enough time to complete the challenge before you start.

In this challenge, you will initialize a Kubernetes cluster. First, you will initialize a Kubernetes cluster control plane. Next, you will join worker nodes to the cluster. Finally, you will configure cluster admin privileges, and then you will install a cluster overlay network plug-in. Note: Once you begin a challenge you will not be able to pause, save, or return to your progress. Please ensure you have set aside enough time to complete the challenge before you start.

In this challenge, you will manage pod scheduling in a Kubernetes cluster by using taints and tolerations. First, you will apply a taint to a node, and then you will create a Deployment. Next, you will review the scheduling of a replica pod and the pod tolerance to a tainted node, and then you will create a Deployment in which replica pods contain a toleration. Finally, you will evict a pod by using a taint, and then you will remove a taint from a node. Note: Once you begin a challenge you will not be able to pause, save, or return to your progress. Please ensure you have set aside enough time to complete the challenge before you start.

As scalability becomes increasingly non-negotiable and more applications are built with containers, the open-source software Kubernetes has become an appreciated one-stop shop for developing and running applications. Kubernetes helps manage multiple containers across different systems, allowing you to scale them with ease. It provides access to plugins and extensions to improve management and security. And with the ability to use cloud-based solutions, increases the portability of your applications. Use this course to learn about application scaling and the benefits of containerized applications and cloud computing. Examine the key components within a Kubernetes deployment. As you progress, run and configure clusters; use kubectl, ConfigMaps, probes, taints, and tolerations; and finally, set up autoscaling and configure a Kubernetes multi-pod deployment. Upon completion, you'll be able to scale applications using Kubernetes.

Kubernetes package management allows developers to easily package, configure, and deploy applications and services onto clusters. Package managers maintain the application lifecycle, enabling you to optimize several tasks. Learning how to utilize these resources will improve your ability to scale Kubernetes applications and services. Use this course to gain a theoretical and practical understanding of the importance of package management. Examine how each of the major cloud platforms manages Kubernetes services for continuous delivery. And explore what's on offer through the various Kubernetes package managers. On a practical front, learn how to manage Kubernetes YAML manifests. Work with Helm, creating Helm charts, chart hooks, and Kubernetes ConfigMaps and Secrets. And lastly, deploy a multi-pod application using Helm. Upon completion, you'll be able to conduct Kubernetes package management in the most viable way.

Logging and monitoring should be a central part of any good DevOps process, including those associated with cloud-native application development and scaling. While traditional logging and monitoring tools aren't designed for cloud-native environments, there are other solutions. Use this course to comprehend how cloud platforms have changed the nature of logging and monitoring. Learn how Google Cloud Operations for Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE), Amazon Elastic Kubernetes Services (EKS), Microsoft Azure Kubernetes Services (AKS), and Kubernetes handle logging and monitoring. On a practical front, use klog to generate log messages, debug issues with Kubernetes audit logs, pull events using kubectl, use Fluentd to log information, Elasticsearch to monitor your Kubernetes applications, and Kibana to log and collect time series analytics. When you're done, you'll be able to implement logging and monitoring into your Kubernetes application development processes.

Final Exam: Advanced Kubernetes Concepts and Practices will test your knowledge and application of the topics presented throughout the Advanced Kubernetes Concepts and Practices track of the Skillsoft Aspire Building Advanced Kubernetes Skills Journey.

In this Challenge Lab, you will create cluster objects in a Kubernetes cluster by using imperative and declarative methods. First, you will create a pod, and then you will create a deployment by using imperative commands. Next, you will generate a pod definition .yaml file, and then you will create a pod by using declarative commands. Finally, you will generate a Deployment definition .yaml file, and then you will create a Deployment by using declarative commands. Note: Once you begin the Challenge Lab, you will not be able to pause, save, or return to your Challenge Lab. Please ensure that you have set aside enough time to complete the Challenge Lab before you start.

In this challenge, you will install and configure a Kubernetes cluster. First, you will install the Docker and Kubernetes cluster components. Next, you will initialize the Kubernetes cluster, and then you will join worker nodes to the cluster. Finally, you will configure cluster admin privileges, and then you will install a cluster overlay network plug-in. Note: Once you begin a challenge you will not be able to pause, save, or return to your progress. Please ensure you have set aside enough time to complete the challenge before you start.

In this challenge, you will manage pod scheduling in a Kubernetes cluster by using nodeSelector and node affinity rules. First, you will create a Deployment that schedules pods by using the Kubernetes nodeSelector feature. Next, you will schedule a pod by using a required node affinity. Finally, you will schedule a pod by using a preferred node affinity. Note: Once you begin the challenge lab, you will not be able to pause, save, or exit and then return to your challenge lab. Please ensure that you have set aside enough time to complete the challenge lab before you start.

In this Challenge Lab, you will manage resources in a Kubernetes cluster. First, you will create a namespace, and then you will create a pod ReplicaSet in the namespace. Next, you will create a Deployment in a namespace, and then you will update a Deployment. Finally, you will roll back a Deployment to its previous state, and then you will delete a namespace. Note: Once you begin the Challenge Lab, you will not be able to pause, save, or return to your Challenge Lab. Please ensure that you have set aside enough time to complete the Challenge Lab before you start.

In this challenge, you will deploy resources in a Kubernetes cluster. First, you will retrieve information about the cluster. Next, you will create cluster resources, and then you will organize cluster resources in a namespace. Finally, you will update cluster resources, and then you will roll back a Deployment. Note: Once you begin a challenge you will not be able to pause, save, or return to your progress. Please ensure you have set aside enough time to complete the challenge before you start.

Kubernetes is an open-source container-orchestration system used to deploy, scale, and manage computer applications automatically. To use Kubernetes effectively requires configuring the network to be secure and efficient. With this course, learn how to conduct advanced Kubernetes networking tasks. Learn to distinguish Kubernetes networking from its legacy ancestors and other platforms. Examine the basics of Kubernetes networking, including IP address management and routing. Learn how to perform monitoring and logging. Then, explore Kubernetes pods, Container Networking Interface, and the role of Kube-router in load balancing. As you advance, learn about network security considerations and how network policies can differ between cloud-based and on-premises deployments. Upon course completion, you'll have a solid theoretical knowledge of Kubernetes networking activities and be ready to move on to some more advanced practices.

Several advanced practices can be followed to leverage the full power and rich features of Kubernetes. Among these are those that help take advantage of features, options, and plugins for configuring Kubernetes networking to run efficiently and securely. Take this theoretical and practical course to learn about some of the chief Kubernetes networking components and the features of container network interface (CNI) plugins that implement the Kubernetes networking model. Practice along with demonstrations configuring Flannel and Multus CNI plugins to enable advanced multi-homed pods in Kubernetes. Learn how Kubernetes leverages iptables and routing tables for managing traffic and how load balancing is implemented on Kubernetes clusters. Furthermore, practice configuring network ingress and load balancing in Kubernetes. When you've completed this course, you'll have advanced your Kubernetes networking skills both in theory and in practice.

While Kubernetes introduces many capabilities, if developers aren't prudent, it can also introduce security risks. Use this course to learn the top security considerations with Kubernetes deployments and how to tackle them. Explore traditional application security as well as the 4C's of cloud-native security. Investigate the most crucial security concerns when migrating to the cloud. See the security vulnerabilities related to Kubernetes clusters, containers, scalability, and automation as well as those related to software code. Moving on, discover the security features in Amazon Elastic Kubernetes Service and Azure Kubernetes Service. Learn how Packer and Ansible can be used to security-harden your Kubernetes deployments and Calico to manage security policies. Also, explore several security design patterns. Upon completion, you'll be able to ensure your Kubernetes deployments pose a low-security risk to your organization.

In this challenge, you will implement an ingress controller for network security using the Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS). Note: Once you begin a challenge you will not be able to pause, save, or return to your progress. Please ensure you have set aside enough time to complete the challenge before you start.

If the security of your containerized systems and networks is important to you, then you need to implement appropriate security measures throughout the design and build of your Kubernetes solutions. Use this course to learn how to do this. Examine common Kubernetes security issues and exploits. Learn how Pods and clusters are secured. Additionally, explore security considerations and procedures related to Kubernetes deployments and the Kubernetes API. As you advance, learn how to audit a Kubernetes-based deployment, determine security risks, and design a security plan for new deployments. Practice configuring a security context and security policy for a Pod. Use role-based access control with Kubernetes. And restrict a container's access to resources by using AppArmor. Upon completion, you'll be able to greatly reduce your Kubernetes environment's vulnerability to unauthorized access and security attacks.

Kubernetes provides several methods for augmenting functionality through addons, plugins, and API extensions. If you work with Kubernetes, knowing how to extend it will elevate its power. Use this thorough course to learn why and how to extend Kubernetes. Examine operators and the operator pattern. Explore how Kubernetes controllers function relative to customization and extensions. And investigate the Kubernetes object model, controller objects, API extensions, user types, resources, and access extensions. Next, learn about the Kubernetes API and infrastructure extensions. And discover several plugins and addons used to extend the functionality of Kubernetes. As you advance, practice extending the Kubernetes API, implementing multiple schedulers, and configuring an HTTP proxy server. Install a network plugin to extend Kubernetes. And show how device plugins are used. When you're done, you'll know the best way to extend Kubernetes for your needs.

Kubernetes provides an extensibility framework that can be used to provide new functions and features to the system. This allows Kubernetes to grow and provide custom functionality to this platform. Use this course to learn about specific methods for extending Kubernetes and follow practical demonstrations of how this is done. Begin by exploring methods for extending Kubernetes on the client side and server side. Learn how to extend Kubernetes using customer resource definitions and the Service Catalog. Discover how container platforms such as RedHat's OpenShift are used to provide additional functionality for Kubernetes. Moving on, practice how to install the Service Catalog using Helm, write and install kubectl plugins, perform debugging on pods, create and use CustomResourceDefinitions (CRDs), and create an application in the OpenShift platform using the command-line interface (CLI) and the web console interface. When you're done, you'll know the best ways to implement and leverage methods available for extending Kubernetes.

Final Exam: Advanced Kubernetes Skills will test your knowledge and application of the topics presented throughout the Advanced Kubernetes Skills track of the Skillsoft Aspire Building Advanced Kubernetes Skills Journey.

Building Advanced Kubernetes Skills