Kubernetes (k8s) - key points to demonstrate your k8s knowledge

To convince interviewers that you understand Kubernetes (K8s), you should be prepared to discuss both fundamental concepts and practical experience. Here are key points to demonstrate your knowledge:

1. Basic Kubernetes Concepts:

   • Explain the core concepts, such as Pods, Services, Deployments, and ConfigMaps.
   • Describe how Kubernetes manages container orchestration and scaling.

2. Kubernetes Architecture:

   • Discuss the main components of the Kubernetes architecture, including the control plane (Master) and worker nodes (Minions).

3. Deployment and Scaling:

   • Describe how to deploy applications using Kubernetes Deployments or StatefulSets.
   • Explain how Horizontal Pod Autoscaling (HPA) works and when it's useful.

4. Service Discovery and Load Balancing:

   • Explain how Kubernetes Services enable service discovery and load balancing.
   • Discuss the differences between ClusterIP, NodePort, and LoadBalancer service types.

5. Pods and Containers:

   • Clarify the relationship between Pods and containers.
   • Discuss how you can use Init Containers and Sidecar Containers.

6. Kubernetes Networking:

   • Explain Kubernetes networking, including the role of the Container Network Interface (CNI) and how Pods can communicate with each other.

7. Persistent Storage:

   • Discuss persistent storage in Kubernetes, mentioning PersistentVolume (PV) and PersistentVolumeClaim (PVC) concepts.
   • Explain how StatefulSets are used for stateful applications.

8. Kubernetes API:

   • Mention the Kubernetes API and how it's used to interact with the cluster programmatically.
   • Discuss the importance of RBAC (Role-Based Access Control) for securing the API.

9. Deployment Strategies:

   • Explain Blue-Green deployments, Canary deployments, and Rolling deployments in Kubernetes.

10. Monitoring and Logging:

    • Talk about how you can monitor Kubernetes clusters using tools like Prometheus and Grafana.
    • Mention centralized logging solutions like Elasticsearch, Fluentd, and Kibana (EFK) or Loki.

11. Troubleshooting:

    • Share your experience with troubleshooting common issues in Kubernetes, such as Pod failures or resource constraints.

12. Security Best Practices:

    • Discuss Kubernetes security best practices, including Pod security policies, network policies, and image scanning.

13. CI/CD Integration:

    • Explain how Kubernetes integrates with CI/CD pipelines, especially using tools like Jenkins, GitLab CI/CD, or Tekton.

14. Cloud-Native Concepts:

    • Highlight your understanding of cloud-native principles and how Kubernetes fits into the cloud-native landscape.

15. Real-World Experience:

    • Provide examples of projects or scenarios where you've successfully used Kubernetes, showcasing your practical experience.

16. Questions for the Interviewer:

    • Prepare thoughtful questions about their Kubernetes infrastructure, challenges, and future plans. This shows your interest and engagement in the role.

Demonstrating a solid understanding of these Kubernetes topics and sharing practical experiences will help you impress your interviewers and show that you're well-equipped to work with Kubernetes in a professional setting.