Containerization & Orchestration #

Containers package applications with dependencies for consistency across environments. Orchestration platforms manage containers at production scale.

Kubernetes learning path: If you want one hands-on route from laptop practice to cloud operations, follow the Kubernetes Deep Dive: Minikube to AKS/EKS after the basics and networking guides.

Docker essentials #

  • build minimal, secure images
  • use multi-stage builds
  • run as non-root users
  • scan images in CI pipelines

Kubernetes essentials #

  • workloads (Deployments, StatefulSets, Jobs)
  • networking (Services, Ingress, Gateway)
  • configuration and secrets management
  • autoscaling and rollout strategies

Kubernetes articles: beginner to advanced #

Read these guides in order so each topic builds on the previous one:

  1. Kubernetes Basics — Core objects, control-plane concepts, and daily kubectl workflows.
  2. Kubernetes Networking — Services, DNS, Ingress, Gateway API concepts, and network policies.
  3. Helm vs Kustomize — How to package, customize, and promote Kubernetes manifests across environments.
  4. Kubernetes Security — RBAC, pod security, image controls, secrets, policy-as-code, and runtime protection.
  5. Kubernetes Deep Dive: Minikube to AKS/EKS — End-to-end local-to-cloud practice with Minikube, AKS, and EKS.
  6. EKS vs AKS vs GKE — Managed Kubernetes platform comparison for cloud architecture decisions.

Production best practices #

  • enforce resource requests/limits
  • set health probes and disruption budgets
  • standardize manifests with Helm or Kustomize
  • use policy-as-code for guardrails

Suggested learning sequence #

  1. Container fundamentals and Dockerfile design
  2. Kubernetes basics and workload troubleshooting
  3. Kubernetes networking and traffic management
  4. Manifest management with Helm or Kustomize
  5. Kubernetes security and policy controls
  6. Local-to-cloud deployment with the Kubernetes deep dive
  7. Managed Kubernetes platform selection
  8. Progressive delivery and GitOps-based cluster reconciliation

Guides in this section

Kubernetes Basics Beginner Kubernetes guide covering core objects, cluster concepts, kubectl workflows, and practical readiness checks. Kubernetes Networking Kubernetes networking guide covering Services, DNS, Ingress, Gateway API concepts, network policies, and troubleshooting. Helm vs Kustomize Compare Helm and Kustomize for Kubernetes manifest packaging, customization, promotion, and GitOps workflows. Kubernetes Security Kubernetes security guide covering RBAC, workload hardening, secrets, admission control, network policy, and runtime protection. Kubernetes Deep Dive: Minikube to AKS/EKS In-depth Kubernetes guide from local development with Minikube to production deployments on managed cloud platforms like AKS and EKS. EKS vs AKS vs GKE Compare Amazon EKS, Azure AKS, and Google GKE for managed Kubernetes platform decisions.