This chapter will cover the core Kubernetes constructs, namely pods, services, replication controllers, replica sets, and labels. We will describe Kubernetes components, dimensions of the API, and Kubernetes objects. We will also dig into the major Kubernetes cluster components. A few simple application examples will be included to demonstrate each construct. This chapter will also cover basic operations for your cluster. Finally, health checks and scheduling will be introduced with a few examples.

The following topics will be covered in this chapter:

• Kubernetes' overall architecture
• The context of Kubernetes architecture within system theory
• Introduction to core Kubernetes constructs, architecture, and components
• How labels can simplify the management of a Kubernetes cluster
• Monitoring services and container health
• Setting up scheduling constraints based on available cluster resources