1. What is Amazon Elastic Container Service for Kubernetes?
Amazon Elastic Container Service for Kubernetes (Amazon EKS) is a managed service that makes it easy for you to run Kubernetes on AWS. Amazon EKS runs the Kubernetes management infrastructure for you across multiple AWS Availability Zones to eliminate a single point of failure. Amazon EKS is also integrated with many AWS services to provide scalability and security for your applications, including the following:
– Elastic Load Balancing for load distribution
– IAM for authentication
– Amazon VPC for isolation
– Amazon CloudWatch for monitoring
– AWS CloudTrail for logging
2. Can you explain some of the main aims and use cases for EKS?
EKS is a managed service that makes it easy to deploy, manage, and scale containerized applications using Kubernetes on AWS. EKS is ideal for applications that require high availability and fault tolerance, such as web applications, microservices, and data processing pipelines.
3. Can you describe what a kubernetes cluster is?
A kubernetes cluster is a group of servers that are used to run containerized applications. Kubernetes is a system for managing and deploying containerized applications. It is designed to make it easy to deploy and manage applications in a clustered environment.
4. How does an EKS stack differ from regular EC2 instances?
EKS is a managed service that makes it easy to deploy, manage, and scale containerized applications using Kubernetes on AWS. EKS runs up-to-date versions of the open-source Kubernetes software, so you can use all the existing plugins and tooling from the Kubernetes community. EKS is also integrated with many AWS services to provide a rich and seamless experience for running your containerized workloads.
5. Do I need to install all the dependencies of Kubernetes on each node in order to run it on EKS?
No, you do not need to install all of the dependencies of Kubernetes on each node in order to run it on Amazon EKS. Amazon EKS takes care of the underlying infrastructure and provides a fully managed Kubernetes environment, so you do not have to worry about setting up and maintaining the Kubernetes control plane or worker nodes.
Instead, you can simply create an Amazon EKS cluster using the AWS Management Console, CLI, or API, and then use the Kubernetes tools and APIs to deploy and manage your applications on the cluster. You will still need to install the Kubernetes command-line tool (kubectl) and any other dependencies required by your applications on your local machine or on your build servers, but the worker nodes in the Amazon EKS cluster will be fully configured and ready to run your applications.
6. What are two ways that customers can run their applications on EKS?
There are two main ways that customers can run their applications on Amazon EKS:
- Using the Kubernetes API and command-line tool (kubectl): Customers can use the Kubernetes API and the kubectl command-line tool to deploy and manage their applications on the Amazon EKS cluster. This approach allows customers to use the full range of Kubernetes features and tools, and to take advantage of the scalability and reliability of the Amazon EKS platform.
- Using Amazon Elastic Container Service (ECS): Customers can use Amazon ECS to deploy and manage their applications on the Amazon EKS cluster. ECS is a fully managed container orchestration service that is natively integrated with Amazon EKS. It provides a simpler, more streamlined interface for deploying and managing containerized applications, and is well-suited for customers who are already familiar with ECS or who prefer a more opinionated approach to managing their applications.
7. Can you give me some examples of where EKS might be used?
Yes, Amazon EKS can be used in a wide range of scenarios, including:
- Web and mobile applications: EKS can be used to host and scale web and mobile applications that are built using containerized microservices.
- Batch processing: EKS can be used to run batch processing jobs that require a large number of compute resources for a short period of time.
- Machine learning: EKS can be used to deploy and manage machine learning models and workloads that require a scalable, highly available infrastructure.
- Continuous integration and delivery (CI/CD): EKS can be used as part of a CI/CD pipeline to build, test, and deploy applications automatically.
- Big data: EKS can be used to run big data workloads, such as data processing and analysis, using a distributed architecture.
Overall, Amazon EKS is suitable for any use case that requires a scalable, highly available, and secure platform for running containerized applications on AWS.
8. How long would it take to set up a basic EKS deployment?
It typically takes just a few minutes to set up a basic Amazon EKS deployment using the AWS Management Console or the AWS CLI.
To create an Amazon EKS cluster, you will need to perform the following steps:
- Install and configure the AWS CLI and the AWS IAM Authenticator.
- Create an IAM role that allows the Amazon EKS service to access your resources.
- Use the AWS Management Console or the AWS CLI to create an Amazon EKS cluster.
- Use the kubectl command-line tool to create a connection to the cluster and deploy your applications.
The exact time it takes to set up a basic Amazon EKS deployment will depend on the specific requirements of your application and the resources you need to allocate to your cluster. However, the process is generally straightforward and can be completed in a short amount of time.
9. How do you configure AWS VPCs, security groups, subnets, and other network resources when setting up an EKS cluster?
You will need to configure your VPC in order to allow communication between your EKS cluster and your worker nodes. You will also need to create a security group for your EKS cluster that will allow traffic from your worker nodes. Finally, you will need to create subnets for your EKS cluster in order to allow communication between your EKS cluster and the internet.
10. What are some advantages of using EKS over other container orchestration solutions like Docker Swarm or Apache Mesos?
EKS provides a managed Kubernetes service, which means that you don’t have to worry about installing, configuring, and maintaining your own Kubernetes cluster. This can save you a lot of time and effort, particularly if you’re not already familiar with Kubernetes. In addition, EKS is integrated with other AWS services, which can make it easier to set up and manage your containerized applications.https://0dbd475d778ce64f3a63480629e1f8f8.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.html
11. What’s the difference between Amazon ECS and Amazon EKS?
Here is a comparison of Amazon ECS and Amazon EKS in table format:
| Feature | Amazon ECS | Amazon EKS |
|---|---|---|
| Service type | Container orchestration | Container orchestration |
| Management model | Fully managed | Fully managed |
| Supported container runtimes | Docker | Docker, containerd |
| Deployment model | Service and task definitions | Deployment, ReplicaSet, and Pod |
| Scaling options | Automatic and manual | Automatic and manual |
| Load balancing options | Classic, Application, and Network | Classic, Application, and Network |
| Service discovery options | Private and public DNS | Private and public DNS |
| Integration with other AWS services | Yes (e.g. IAM, VPC, CloudWatch) | Yes (e.g. IAM, VPC, CloudWatch) |
In general, Amazon ECS and Amazon EKS are both fully managed container orchestration services that make it easy to deploy and manage containerized applications on AWS. The main difference between the two is in their management model and the specific features and tools they offer.
12. Which platform should I choose for my application if I’m looking for scalability: Amazon ECS or Amazon EKS?
Both Amazon ECS and Amazon EKS are fully managed container orchestration services that provide scalability and reliability for deploying and running containerized applications on AWS. In general, either platform can be suitable for your application, depending on your specific requirements and preferences.
If you are looking for a more straightforward, opinionated platform for running your applications, Amazon ECS may be a good choice. On the other hand, if you want more control and customization over your container orchestration environment, or if you are already familiar with Kubernetes, Amazon EKS may be a better fit. It is generally a good idea to evaluate both platforms and determine which one is the best fit for your needs.
13. What are the differences between Amazon ECS, Amazon Fargate, and Amazon EKS?
Amazon ECS is a container orchestration service that helps you run and manage containerized applications on AWS. Amazon Fargate is a serverless compute engine for containers that works with Amazon ECS. Amazon EKS is a managed Kubernetes service that makes it easy for you to run Kubernetes on AWS.
14. What is your understanding of the term “pod” in the context of Amazon EKS?
In the context of Amazon EKS, a pod is a logical host for one or more containerized applications. Pods are the smallest deployable units in Kubernetes, and they are used to represent a group of containers that should be treated as a single entity.
Pods are ephemeral and may be created, scheduled, and managed by Kubernetes. They provide a way to manage the lifecycle of a group of containers as a single unit, and to ensure that the containers in a pod are always scheduled to run on the same worker node.
Amazon EKS Interview Questions
15. What are the key components involved with Amazon EKS setup?
The key components involved in setting up Amazon EKS are the Amazon EKS control plane and the Amazon EKS worker nodes. The Amazon EKS control plane is responsible for managing the Kubernetes cluster, while the Amazon EKS worker nodes are the actual servers that run the applications and services within the cluster.
16. What happens when pods die unexpectedly? Does EKS automatically restart them?
When pods die unexpectedly, EKS does not automatically restart them. Instead, it is up to the user to configure their own pod restart policies. This can be done using the kubelet’s –pod-infra-container-image flag, which allows you to specify the image that will be used for the pod’s infrastructure container.
17. What is Amazon Elastic Kubernetes Service (Amazon EKS)?
Amazon EKS is a managed service that makes it easy for you to run Kubernetes on AWS without installing and operating your own Kubernetes control plane or worker nodes.
18. What is Kubernetes?
Kubernetes is an open-source container orchestration system allowing you to deploy and manage containerized applications at scale. Kubernetes arranges containers into logical groupings for management and discoverability, then launches them onto clusters of Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (Amazon EC2) instances. Using Kubernetes, you can run containerized applications including microservices, batch processing workers, and platforms as a service (PaaS) using the same toolset on premises and in the cloud.
19. Why should I use Amazon EKS?
Amazon EKS provisions and scales the Kubernetes control plane, including the application programming interface (API) servers and backend persistence layer, across multiple AWS Availability Zones (AZs) for high availability and fault tolerance. Amazon EKS automatically detects and replaces unhealthy control plane nodes and patches the control plane. You can run EKS using AWS Fargate, which provides serverless compute for containers. Fargate removes the need to provision and manage servers, lets you specify and pay for resources per application, and improves security through application isolation by design.
Amazon EKS is integrated with many AWS services to provide scalability and security for your applications. These services include Elastic Load Balancing for load distribution, AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM) for authentication, Amazon Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) for isolation, and AWS CloudTrail for logging.
20. How does Amazon EKS work?
Amazon EKS works by provisioning (starting) and managing the Kubernetes control plane and worker nodes for you. At a high level, Kubernetes consists of two major components: a cluster of ‘worker nodes’ running your containers, and the control plane managing when and where containers are started on your cluster while monitoring their status.
Without Amazon EKS, you have to run both the Kubernetes control plane and the cluster of worker nodes yourself. With Amazon EKS, you provision your worker nodes using a single command in the EKS console, command-line interface (CLI), or API. AWS handles provisioning, scaling, and managing the Kubernetes control plane in a highly available and secure configuration. This removes a significant operational burden and allows you to focus on building applications instead of managing AWS infrastructure.
21. Which operating systems does Amazon EKS support?
Amazon EKS supports Kubernetes-compatible Linux x86, ARM, and Windows Server operating system distributions. Amazon EKS provides optimized AMIs for Amazon Linux 2 and Windows Server 2019. EKS- optimized AMIs for other Linux distributions, such as Ubuntu, are available from their respective vendors.
Questions on Amazon EKS Integrations
22. Does Amazon EKS work with my existing Kubernetes applications and tools?
Amazon EKS runs the open-source Kubernetes software, so you can use all the existing plug-ins and tooling from the Kubernetes community. Applications running on Amazon EKS are fully compatible with applications running on any standard Kubernetes environment, whether running in on-premises data centers or public clouds. This means that you can easily migrate any standard Kubernetes application to Amazon EKS without any code modifications.
23. Does Amazon EKS work with AWS Fargate?
Yes, Amazon EKS works with AWS Fargate, which is a fully managed container runtime that allows you to run containerized applications without having to manage the underlying infrastructure. With AWS Fargate, you can use Amazon EKS to deploy and run your applications on a fully managed, serverless infrastructure that scales automatically to meet the needs of your workloads. This can be a convenient way to use Amazon EKS and take advantage of the scalability and reliability of the Kubernetes platform, while avoiding the need to manage the underlying infrastructure.
24. Why should I use Amazon EKS add-ons?
Amazon EKS add-ons provides one-click installation and management of Kubernetes operational software. Go from cluster creation to running applications in a single command, while easily keeping the operational software required for your cluster up to date. This ensures your Kubernetes clusters are secure and stable and reduces the amount of work needed to start and manage production-ready Kubernetes clusters on AWS.
25. What are Amazon EKS add-ons?
EKS Add-Ons let you enable and manage Kubernetes operational software, which provides capabilities like observability, scaling, networking, and AWS cloud resource integrations for your EKS clusters. At launch, EKS add-ons supports controlling the launch and version of the AWS VPC CNI plugin through the EKS API.
Questions on Kubernetes Versions and Updates
26. Which Kubernetes versions does Amazon EKS support?
See the Amazon EKS documentation for currently supported Kubernetes versions. Amazon EKS will continue to add support for additional Kubernetes versions in the future.
27. Can I update my Kubernetes cluster to a new version?
Yes. Amazon EKS performs managed, in-place cluster upgrades for both Kubernetes and Amazon EKS platform versions. This simplifies cluster operations and lets you take advantage of the latest Kubernetes features, as well as the updates to Amazon EKS configuration and security patches.
There are two types of updates you can apply to your Amazon EKS cluster: Kubernetes version updates and Amazon EKS platform version updates. As new Kubernetes versions are released and validated for use with Amazon EKS, we will support three stable Kubernetes versions as part of the update process at any given time.
28. What is an EKS platform version?
Amazon EKS platform versions represent the capabilities of the cluster control plane, such as which Kubernetes API server flags are enabled, as well as the current Kubernetes patch version. Each Kubernetes minor version has one or more associated Amazon EKS platform versions. The platform versions for different Kubernetes minor versions are independent.
When a new Kubernetes minor version is available in Amazon EKS (for example, 1.13), the initial Amazon EKS platform version for that Kubernetes minor version starts at eks.1. However, Amazon EKS releases new platform versions periodically to enable new Kubernetes control plane settings and to provide security fixes.
29. Why would I want manual control over Kubernetes version updates?
New versions of Kubernetes introduce significant change to the Kubernetes API, which can change application behavior. Manual control over Kubernetes cluster versioning lets you test applications against new versions of Kubernetes before upgrading production clusters. Amazon EKS offers the ability to choose when you introduce changes to your EKS cluster.
30. How do I update my worker nodes?
AWS publishes EKS-optimized Amazon Machine Images (AMIs) that include the necessary worker node binaries (Docker and Kubelet). This AMI is updated regularly and includes the most up-to-date version of these components. You can update your EKS managed nodes to the latest versions of the EKS-optimized AMIs with a single command in the EKS console, API, or CLI.
If you are building your own custom AMIs to use for EKS worker nodes, AWS also publishes Packer scripts that document our build steps, allowing you to identify the binaries included in each version of the AMI.
31. How much does Amazon EKS cost?
You pay $0.10 per hour for each Amazon EKS cluster you create and for the AWS resources you create to run your Kubernetes worker nodes. You only pay for what you use, as you use it; there are no minimum fees and no upfront commitments.
