Best practices for using kubectl in a production environment

If you're using Kubernetes in production, you probably know that kubectl is the Swiss army knife of command line tools for Kubernetes. kubectl is a powerful tool that can manage pods, services, deployments, and more. But like any other tool, there are ways to use it correctly and ways to use it incorrectly. In this guide, we'll go over some best practices for using kubectl in a production environment.

Keep your kubectl version up to date

The first and most important best practice for using kubectl in a production environment is to keep your kubectl version up to date. Kubernetes is evolving rapidly, and new features are added with each release. Keeping your kubectl version up to date ensures that you have the latest features as well as any bug fixes that may have been addressed in the latest release.

Keeping your kubectl version up to date is also important because older versions of kubectl may not work with the latest version of Kubernetes. If you're using an older version of kubectl, you may miss out on important features or experience issues that have already been resolved in the latest release.

To check your kubectl version, run the following command:

kubectl version

This will show you the client and server versions of kubectl.

Use the right context

In Kubernetes, a context is a group of access parameters. It includes the cluster, the user, and the namespace. When you run kubectl, it uses the information in the current context to communicate with the cluster.

One best practice for using kubectl in a production environment is to use the right context. When you don't specify a context, kubectl will use the current context by default. This can sometimes lead to errors if you're not in the right context.

To see the current context, run the following command:

kubectl config current-context

To change the context, run the following command:

kubectl config use-context <context-name>

Use the --dry-run option when possible

Another best practice for using kubectl in a production environment is to use the --dry-run option when possible. The --dry-run option allows you to preview the changes that kubectl will make without actually applying them to the cluster.

This can be useful when you're making changes to a critical resource, as it allows you to verify that the changes will work as expected before applying them to the cluster. It also helps prevent accidental changes that could cause downtime or other issues.

To use the --dry-run option, add it to your kubectl command:

kubectl apply -f <file-name> --dry-run

Use namespaces to organize resources

Kubernetes namespaces are a way to divide cluster resources between multiple users, teams, or projects. Using namespaces can help you organize your resources, eliminate name collisions, and/or limit access to specific resources.

One best practice for using kubectl in a production environment is to use namespaces to organize your resources. When you use namespaces, you can easily filter your kubectl output by namespace to see which resources are in use and which are not.

To create a namespace, run the following command:

kubectl create namespace <namespace-name>

To filter kubectl output by namespace, add the -n option to your command:

kubectl get pods -n <namespace-name>

Use appropriate RBAC

Kubernetes Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) is a way to control access to Kubernetes resources based on user roles and permissions. Using RBAC in a production environment can help you ensure that only authorized users can access your cluster resources.

One best practice for using kubectl in a production environment is to use appropriate RBAC. Ensure that every user has the least privilege required to perform their job. This can help prevent accidental modifications to critical resources that could cause downtime or other issues.

To create a new user, add the following fields to a YAML file:

apiVersion: v1
kind: ServiceAccount
metadata:
  name: <account-name>
  namespace: <namespace-name>

To create a new role, add the following fields to a YAML file:

kind: Role
apiVersion: rbac.authorization.k8s.io/v1beta1
metadata:
  namespace: <namespace-name>
  name: <role-name>
rules:
- apiGroups: [""]
  resources: ["pods"]
  verbs: ["get", "watch", "list"]

To bind the role to the user, add the following fields to a YAML file:

kind: RoleBinding
apiVersion: rbac.authorization.k8s.io/v1beta1
metadata:
  name: <binding-name>
  namespace: <namespace-name>
subjects:
- kind: ServiceAccount
  name: <account-name>
  namespace: <namespace-name>
roleRef:
  kind: Role
  name: <role-name>
  apiGroup: rbac.authorization.k8s.io

Use configuration files to manage resources

One best practice for managing resources in a production environment is to use configuration files to define your resources. This can help you ensure consistency between your resources and track changes over time.

When you use configuration files, you can apply them to your cluster using kubectl apply. This ensures that your resources are created or updated as needed, and that any changes that are made are tracked in your version control system.

To create a configuration file, create a YAML file that defines the resource you want to create. For example, to create a new deployment, you can create a file like the following:

apiVersion: apps/v1
kind: Deployment
metadata:
  name: nginx-deployment
  labels:
    app: nginx
spec:
  replicas: 3
  selector:
    matchLabels:
      app: nginx
  template:
    metadata:
      labels:
        app: nginx
    spec:
      containers:
      - name: nginx
        image: nginx:latest
        ports:
        - containerPort: 80

You can then apply this configuration file to your cluster using kubectl apply:

kubectl apply -f <file-name>

Use kubectl plugins for common tasks

One of the great things about kubectl is that it can be extended using plugins. Plugins are small programs that can be executed from the kubectl command line to perform common tasks.

Using plugins can help you automate repetitive tasks and reduce the risk of human error. Popular plugins include kubectl-who-can, kubectl-ns, and kubectl-view-allocations.

To install a plugin, follow the instructions provided by the plugin's developer. Once installed, you can use it by executing it from the kubectl command line. For example, to use kubectl-who-can to see which roles grant a user access to a resource, you can run the following command:

kubectl who-can <verb> <resource> [--as <username>]

Conclusion

In this guide, we've covered some best practices for using kubectl in a production environment. From keeping your kubectl version up to date to using appropriate RBAC, these tips can help you ensure that your Kubernetes cluster is secure, reliable, and scalable. By following these best practices, you can make the most of kubectl and ensure that you deploy and manage Kubernetes resources with confidence.

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