If you’re among the 84% of computer users who utilize containers in their everyday operations, deploying Kubernetes solutions is likely a priority. However, even for the most experienced DevOps teams, this is far easier said than done.
The cost of integration appears too high at first brush, but fortunately, this is not true. Read on to learn some Kubernetes cost optimization strategies that will make your container orchestration and maintenance a cost-effective and straightforward process.
Research and Understand Kubernetes
To optimize the costs of any software, you must understand the specific workings of the solution that you’re employing. While you likely already know that Kubernetes is an open-source platform and that it’s meant to manage containerized workloads, you may not be aware that it facilitates two distinct processes. These processes, declarative configuration and automation, have different features that you will need to cost-optimize for.
Configuration
To optimize the process’s configuration step, you will need to invest in visibility solutions to access containers. Kubernetes is intended to use the DNS name or their IP address to see traffic to a container and distribute the network traffic for stable employment. This means that you will need to budget for and invest in:
- A fast and easy-to-configure network (complete with machines linked to the network)
- A Kubernetes system that can integrate seamlessly with your DNS name and IP (and a professional that can set up this software)
- A storage system that you can link Kubernetes to so that you can automatically mount it (Cloud storage, local providers, etc)
Optimization
However, these investments will not assist you with the automation functions of Kubernetes. To get the benefits of automatic bin packing, rollouts/rollbacks, and healing of failed containers, you will need to look into getting:
- A cluster of nodes that Kubernetes can link to and run containerized tasks
- A professional that can tell Kubernetes how much RAM and CPU each container needs
- Professional configuration of Kubernetes to the containers that it is managing
- An advertising platform that Kubernetes can use to advertise ready-to-serve containers to clients (for automatic deployment)
Invest in Professional Installation Assistance
Many professionals like you try to DIY their Kubernetes installation, but this is a poor choice.
Even as a DevOps team, you might not be an expert in Kubernetes or IT management. Therefore, you will end up wasting a copious amount of time and resources trying to configure, integrate, and set up your new software. Since Kubernetes is relatively complex, you are unlikely to be effective. Even if you manage to set up the software, it will likely be missing some functions and stop working when it hits a bump in the road.
Cloud IT experts are easy to hire and inexpensive compared to the costs of a DIY setup. Because they are aware of the ins and outs of Kubernetes, you also will not need to spend money rectifying costly mistakes.
Use Integrated Logging Software
After Kubernetes is set up and running smoothly, you will need to deploy a scalable logging solution that allows you to monitor your technical solutions in real-time. Apica can help you with that. Our solutions not only provide you with the resources to monitor Kubernetes and Cloud performance, but it will send you alerts and notifications into real-time issues.
Since many of the containers that Kubernetes manages will relate to your system applications, you also can get app performance insight with Apica. The platform links to more than 100 popular applications that organizations and DevOps teams use so that you can make the most of your daily operations.
Apica helps you to cost-optimize Kubernetes in many ways, including:
- Monitor which containers are initializing appropriately, letting you know which containers are deletable/need to be altered
- Connect data sources to give you a well-rounded view of your technical infrastructure, ensuring that you know where to invest in the future
- Collecting metrics as to what aspects of Kubernetes are helping you to meet your KPIs
It’s easy to deploy this fully-scalable solution on Kubernetes. Click here for the details on how you can do this in-house. You can also ask our professionals for assistance by reaching out to our knowledgeable customer service team.
Rebalance Fragmented Clusters
Active Kubernetes clusters go through a recurring series of deployments that scale-out periodically. As a result, nodes will continuously be added or taken away from the cluster. This introduces new inefficiencies to the cluster naturally that can affect both the cost and performance of your cluster.
One of the most significant issues that may arise is cluster resource fragmentation. This occurs when pods are scheduled across nodes so that all resources are unavailable for a specific node. The node becomes unable to be scheduled, resulting in a resource crunch within your system’s specific area. Clusters need to be rebalanced to avoid this crunch and the negative economic impact that may result.
Make sure that you monitor your Kubernetes software carefully and rebalance them immediately upon fragmentation. You will need to rebalance many aspects of your technology, including the index service, the data service, the search service, the query service, and more. Ensure that you spend time figuring out which nodes need to be rebalanced and invest in the appropriate ones.
Begin Kubernetes Cost Optimization
Now that you know the basics of Kubernetes cost optimization, it’s time to begin ensuring that your technical solutions run smoothly upon integration.Deploy Kubernetes monitoring with Apica today and find a pricing plan that works for you. Our experts are also happy to answer any lingering questions that you may have about making your Cloud containers more efficient, so feel free to reach out.
