Open shift and Kubernetes admin - unix1998/technical_notes GitHub Wiki

As an OpenShift and Kubernetes administrator, your role involves managing and maintaining Kubernetes clusters, ensuring the efficient operation of containerized applications, and leveraging OpenShift’s additional capabilities for enterprise environments. Here’s a comprehensive list of typical tasks and duties:

Core Responsibilities

  1. Cluster Installation and Configuration

    • Set up and configure Kubernetes clusters.
    • Install and configure OpenShift on top of Kubernetes.
    • Manage cluster networking, storage, and compute resources.

  2. Cluster Maintenance and Upgrades

    • Perform regular maintenance and upgrades of Kubernetes and OpenShift clusters.
    • Apply patches and updates to the cluster software.
    • Monitor cluster health and performance.

  3. Security Management

    • Implement security best practices for Kubernetes and OpenShift clusters.
    • Manage role-based access control (RBAC) and ensure proper permissions.
    • Perform regular security audits and vulnerability assessments.
    • Manage secrets and encryption.

  4. Resource Management

    • Allocate and manage resources such as CPU, memory, and storage for applications.
    • Implement resource quotas and limits.
    • Optimize resource utilization across the cluster.

  5. Monitoring and Logging

    • Set up and manage monitoring tools (e.g., Prometheus, Grafana) to track cluster performance and health.
    • Configure logging solutions (e.g., Elasticsearch, Fluentd, Kibana stack) to collect and analyze logs.
    • Set up alerts and notifications for cluster events and anomalies.

  6. Application Deployment and Management

    • Deploy and manage containerized applications using Kubernetes and OpenShift.
    • Use CI/CD pipelines to automate application deployment and updates.
    • Troubleshoot application deployment issues.

  7. Networking

    • Configure and manage Kubernetes networking, including services, ingress, and network policies.
    • Implement and manage service meshes (e.g., Istio) if required.
    • Manage OpenShift Routes and network configurations.

  8. Storage Management

    • Configure and manage persistent storage for Kubernetes applications.
    • Integrate and manage storage solutions (e.g., NFS, Ceph, AWS EBS, GCP Persistent Disks).
    • Ensure data integrity and availability.

  9. Backup and Disaster Recovery

    • Implement backup strategies for Kubernetes clusters and applications.
    • Develop and test disaster recovery plans.
    • Ensure business continuity through regular backups and recovery drills.

  10. Automation and Scripting

    • Automate repetitive tasks using scripting languages (e.g., Bash, Python) and tools (e.g., Ansible, Terraform).
    • Create and maintain infrastructure as code (IaC) scripts for cluster management.

  11. Performance Tuning and Optimization

    • Optimize cluster performance by tuning parameters and configurations.
    • Identify and resolve performance bottlenecks.
    • Perform load testing and capacity planning.

  12. Documentation and Reporting

    • Document cluster configurations, processes, and procedures.
    • Maintain records of changes, updates, and incidents.
    • Generate reports on cluster performance, resource usage, and security compliance.

  13. Support and Troubleshooting

    • Provide support for developers and users of the Kubernetes and OpenShift environments.
    • Troubleshoot and resolve issues related to cluster operations and application deployments.
    • Collaborate with other IT teams to address infrastructure-related issues.

  14. Compliance and Governance

    • Ensure compliance with organizational policies and industry regulations.
    • Implement governance frameworks for cluster management.
    • Conduct regular compliance audits and risk assessments.

  15. Capacity Planning and Scaling

    • Plan for future capacity needs based on current usage and growth projections.
    • Scale the cluster horizontally or vertically to meet demand.
    • Implement auto-scaling policies and manage node pools.

Conclusion

An OpenShift and Kubernetes administrator plays a critical role in ensuring the smooth operation, security, and scalability of containerized applications within an enterprise environment. The responsibilities range from initial cluster setup and configuration to ongoing maintenance, security, performance optimization, and user support. By effectively managing these tasks, the administrator ensures that the infrastructure is reliable, secure, and efficient, supporting the organization’s broader IT and business objectives.