Chapter 1:
Understanding Kubernetes and Helm

Thank you for choosing this book, Learn Helm. If you are interested in this book, you are probably aware of the challenges that modern applications bring. Teams face tremendous pressure to ensure that applications are lightweight and scalable. Applications must also be highly available and able to withstand varying loads. Historically, applications have most commonly been deployed as monoliths, or large, single-tiered applications served on a single system. As time has progressed, the industry has shifted toward a microservice approach, or toward small, multi-tiered applications served on multiple systems. Often deployed using container technology, the industry has started leveraging tools such as Kubernetes to orchestrate and scale their containerized microservices.

Kubernetes, however, comes with its own set of challenges. While it is an effective container orchestration tool, it presents a steep learning curve that can be difficult for teams to overcome. One tool that helps simplify the challenges of running workloads on Kubernetes is Helm. Helm allows users to more simply deploy and manage the life cycle of Kubernetes applications. It abstracts many of the complexities behind configuring Kubernetes applications and allows teams to be more productive on the platform.

In this book, you will explore each of the benefits offered by Helm and discover how Helm makes application deployments much simpler on Kubernetes. You will first assume the role of an end user, consuming Helm charts written by the community and learning the best practices behind leveraging Helm as a package manager. As this book progresses, you will assume the role of a Helm chart developer and learn how to package Kubernetes applications in ways that are easily consumable and efficient. Toward the end of this book, you'll learn about advanced patterns around application management and security with Helm.

Let's begin by first understanding microservices, containers, Kubernetes, and the challenges that these bring with regards to application deployment. Then, we will discuss the key features and benefits of Helm. In this chapter, we will cover the following main topics:

• Monoliths, microservices, and containers
• An overview of Kubernetes
• How Kubernetes applications are deployed
• Challenges in configuring Kubernetes resources
• Benefits that Helm provides to simplify life application deployments on Kubernetes