Setting up your first Amazon Elastic Kubernetes Service (EKS) cluster can seem daunting. However, with the right guidance and tools, the process becomes straightforward. This blog will walk you through the steps needed to create and manage your first EKS cluster, ensuring you leverage the full potential of this powerful managed Kubernetes service.
What is an EKS Cluster?
An EKS cluster is a managed Kubernetes service provided by Amazon Web Services (AWS). It simplifies running Kubernetes on AWS infrastructure by automating key tasks such as patching, node provisioning, and scaling. EKS ensures high availability by running the Kubernetes control plane across multiple AWS Availability Zones (AZs).
Prerequisites
Before you begin, ensure you have the following tools and resources installed and configured:
- AWS CLI: A command-line tool for working with AWS services.
- kubectl: A command-line tool for working with Kubernetes clusters.
- eksctl: A simple command-line utility for creating and managing EKS clusters.
- IAM Permissions: The IAM security principal you’re using must have permission to create and manage EKS clusters.
Step 1: Create Your Amazon EKS Cluster
To create your EKS cluster, you can use eksctl command:
eksctl create cluster –name test-cluster –version 1.21 –region us-east-1 –zones=us-east-1a,us-east-1b
To create manually follow these steps:
- Open the AWS Management Console: Navigate to the EKS section.
2. Create a Cluster: Click on “Add cluster” and then “Create.”
3. Configure Cluster:
Name: Enter a unique name for your cluster.
Cluster Service Role: Choose the IAM role that has the necessary permissions.
4. Specify Networking:
VPC: Select the VPC and subnets that meet EKS requirements.
5. Configure Observability: Leave the default settings and click “Next.”
6. Select Add-ons: Choose the add-ons you want to include in your cluster.
7. Review and Create: Review your settings and click “Create.”
Step 2: Set Up Your Nodes
After creating the cluster, you need to set up the nodes that will run your Kubernetes workloads. You can choose between different node types, such as managed nodes or AWS Fargate:
Managed Nodes: These are Amazon EC2 instances managed by EKS.
AWS Fargate: A serverless computer engine that lets you run Kubernetes pods without managing EC2 instances.
To create managed nodes, you can create using eksctl command or create manually.
To create manually, follow the following steps:
- Go inside the cluster and then click on computer section. Click on add node group:
2. Give a meaning full name and select the iam role
3. Select the ami and scaling types
4. Select the subnets
5. Review and create
Step 3: Configure kubectl
To manage your EKS cluster, you need to configure kubectl to communicate with it. Use the following command to update your kubeconfig file:
Verify the connection by running:
Step 4: Deploy Applications
Now that your EKS cluster and nodes are set up, you can deploy your applications. Create a Kubernetes deployment file, for example nginx-deployment.yaml:
Apply the deployment using kubectl:
Step 5: Manage and Scale Your Cluster
EKS supports horizontal pod autoscaling based on CPU or custom metrics. To enable autoscaling, you need to install the Kubernetes metrics server and configure the Horizontal Pod Autoscaler (HPA).
Install the metrics server:
Create an HPA configuration file, for example hpa.yaml:
Apply the HPA configuration:
Step 6: Monitor and Troubleshoot
Amazon EKS integrates with AWS CloudWatch for logging and monitoring. You can use the EKS console to visualize and troubleshoot your Kubernetes applications. Additionally, EKS supports various observability tools that help you monitor the health and performance of your cluster.
Conclusion
Setting up your first EKS cluster involves several steps, but with the right tools and guidance, it becomes manageable. By following this guide, you can create, configure, and manage your EKS cluster efficiently. Whether you’re deploying applications or scaling your workloads, Amazon EKS provides a robust platform for running Kubernetes on AWS.
Remember, SUDO Consultants is here to help you every step of the way. Our expertise in AWS and Kubernetes ensures that you get the most out of your cloud investment. Contact us today to learn more about how we can assist you in your cloud journey.
By leveraging Amazon EKS, you can focus on building and deploying your applications without worrying about the underlying infrastructure. Happy clustering! This guide should help you set up your first EKS cluster with ease. If you have any questions or need more assistance, contact SUDO Consultants. We’re here to help you succeed in your cloud endeavors.