Kubernetes has revolutionized the way organizations deploy and manage containerized applications. However, setting up and maintaining a Kubernetes cluster can be complex and time-consuming. This is where managed Kubernetes services come in.
What are Managed K8 Services?
They are the 3rd party Services (Kubernetes as a Service) that allow the developers to use Kubernetes without having to install or manage it; they provide a streamlined way to use Kubernetes, abstracting away much of the underlying complexity where they can handle Workload Management, Application Deployment, Batch Execution, and Self-Recovery
The only thing we are responsible for in the managed K8s is the Kubernetes Version Upgrade; everything else about the Control Plane is abstracted and managed by the Cloud Provider.
In this article, we’ll compare three of the most popular managed Kubernetes services: Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS), Amazon Elastic Container Service for Kubernetes (EKS), and Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE).
Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS)
AKS is Microsoft’s managed Kubernetes service. It allows you to deploy a production-ready Kubernetes cluster in Azure. With AKS, you only manage the agent nodes, while Azure handles the control plane.
Pros:
Tight Integration with Azure: AKS integrates seamlessly with other Azure services, making it a great choice if you’re already invested in the Microsoft ecosystem.
Simplified Cluster Management: AKS provides automated patching and upgrades, node self-healing, and easy scaling.
Security Features: AKS offers network policies, Azure Active Directory (AAD) integration, and secrets management.
Cons:
Limited Node Control: While this can be a pro for some, having less control over the control plane may not appeal to everyone.
Cost: AKS can be more expensive than managing your Kubernetes cluster, especially for small deployments.
When to Use AKS:
AKS is a good choice if you’re already using Azure and want a managed Kubernetes experience with tight integration with other Azure services.
Amazon Elastic Kubernetes Service (EKS)
EKS is Amazon’s managed Kubernetes service. It provides a highly available, secure way to run Kubernetes on AWS without managing the control plane.
Pros:
Deep AWS Integration: EKS integrates well with other AWS services, making it a great choice for existing AWS customers.
Highly Available: EKS provides a highly available control plane across multiple AZs.
Security Features: EKS supports IAM integration, network policies, and encryption at rest.
Cons:
Complex Setup: Setting up EKS can be more involved compared to AKS or GKE.
Additional Costs: You pay extra for the managed control plane, in addition to the cost of your worker nodes.
When to Use EKS:
EKS is a good choice if you’re already invested in AWS and want a managed Kubernetes experience with deep integration with other AWS services.
Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE)
GKE is Google’s managed Kubernetes service. It provides a managed environment for deploying containerized applications.
Pros:
Deep Kubernetes Expertise: As the creators of Kubernetes, Google provides a pure Kubernetes experience.
Advanced Features: GKE offers features like Autopilot, which automates cluster management, and Cloud Code, which integrates Kubernetes development into your IDE.
Security Features: GKE supports network policies, identity and access management, and binary authorization.
Cons:
Less Integrated with Other Services: While GKE integrates well with other GCP services, it may not be as tightly integrated as AKS is with Azure or EKS with AWS.
Learning Curve: Some of the advanced features require additional learning.
When to Use GKE:
GKE is a good choice if you want a managed Kubernetes experience from the creators of Kubernetes, with access to advanced features and tight integration with other GCP services.
Conclusion
Choosing between AKS, EKS, and GKE ultimately depends on your existing cloud investments and specific needs. If you’re already using Azure, AWS, or GCP, the respective managed Kubernetes service may provide the best integration and experience. However, if you’re cloud-agnostic or want a specific set of features, it’s worth exploring all three options in more detail.
EzyInfra.dev is a DevOps and Infrastructure consulting company helping clients in Setting up the Cloud Infrastructure (AWS, GCP), Cloud cost optimization, and manage Kubernetes-based infrastructure. If you have any requirements or want a free consultation for your Infrastructure or architecture, feel free to schedule a call here.
Share this post