What Is AWS EKS, and How Does It Work With Kubernetes?

Amazon Elastic Kubernetes Service (Amazon EKS) is a system that makes it easier to run Kubernetes on AWS and on-premises. This managed AWS Kubernetes service scales, manages, and deploys containerized applications. Through EKS, you can run Kubernetes without installing or operating a control plane or worker nodes — significantly simplifying Kubernetes deployment on AWS. 

So what does it all mean? What is the relationship between AWS and Kubernetes, what are the benefits of using Kubernetes with AWS, and what are the next steps when implementing AWS EKS? Let’s jump in. 

Importance of container orchestration  

Container orchestration automates container movement, supervision, expansion, and networking. It can be used in every scenario where containers are used and will help you position the same applications across different environments. Today, Kubernetes remains the most popular container orchestration platform offered by Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Platform, IBM Cloud, and Microsoft Azure.

As companies rapidly expand, the number of containerized applications they use also increases. However, managing them in larger quantities can become challenging. You’ll benefit from this process if your organization manages hundreds or thousands of containers. Data shows approximately 70% of developers use container orchestration tools. 

Container orchestration benefits organizations greatly due to its automation properties as it reduces manhours, the number of employees needed, and the financial budget for containerized applications. Also, it can enhance the benefits of containerization, such as automated resource allocation and optimum use of computing resources.

An overview of Kubernetes

Often referred to as K8s, Kubernetes is an open-source container orchestration tool and industry standard. Google developed this system for automating the development, management, and scaling of containerized applications — or microservices. This platform was created for several reasons but was primarily developed with optimization in mind. Automating many DevOps processes, which developers once handled manually, has significantly simplified the work of software developers, allowing them to focus on more pressing, complex tasks. 

Based on its applications, Kubernetes is the fastest-growing project in open-source software history after Linux. Data shows that from 2020 to 2021, the number of Kubernetes engineers skyrocketed by 67%, reaching 3.9 million. This figure represents 31% of all backend developers.

One of the main reasons Kubernetes is so popular is the increasing demand for businesses to support their microservice architecture. Apps become more flexible, productive, scalable, and flexible by providing load balancing while simplifying container management. 

Other benefits include:

• Container orchestration savings, as once Kubernetes is configured, apps run with minimal downtown while performing well.
  
• Increased efficiency among DevOps teams, allowing for faster development and deployment times.
  
• The ability to deploy workloads across several cloud services.
  
• Since Kubernetes is an open-source tool and community-led project, there is strong support to improve and innovate continuously. A large ecosystem of tools has been designed to use with this platform.
  

What’s the link between AWS and Kubernetes?

Data shows that of those running containers in the public cloud, 78% are using AWS, followed by Azure (39%), GCP (35%), IBM Cloud (6%), Oracle Cloud (4%), and Other (4%). AWS remains the dominant provider. 

AWS offers a commercial Kubernetes service — Amazon Elastic Kubernetes Service (EKS). This managed service allows you to run Kubernetes on AWS and on-premises, benefiting from the vast number of available services. By integrating with AWS services, you’ll benefit from supply scalability and security for your applications. For example, IAM for reliability, Elastic Load Balancer for load distribution, and Amazon ECR for container image. 

Adding a system like AWS EKS allows you to run Kubernetes applications on various systems, like AWS Fargate. Along with benefiting from greater performance, scalability, and reliability, you can integrate with AWS networking and security services such as AWS Virtual Private Cloud. It will enhance your Kubernetes system, which will optimize your business overall.  

Whether you seek greater control over your servers or remove the complexities of cluster setup, AWS EKS can help. 

How does AWS EKS work with Kubernetes?

AWS EKS supplies an expandable and available Kubernetes control panel. AWS EKS runs this control panel across three availability zones for optimum performance. There are several different areas where AWS EKS and Kubernetes collaborate to ensure your company receives the best performance.

1. AWS Controller lets you manage and control your AWS service from your Kubernetes environment. When using AWS EKS, building a Kubernetes application can be simplified.
   
2. EKS can integrate with Kubernetes clusters. Developers can use EKS as a single interface to organize and resolve issues on any of your Kubernetes applications implemented on AMS.
   
3. EKS add-ons are pieces of operational software. These add-ons will increase the functionality of Kubernetes operations. When you start an AMS cluster, you can select any applicable add-ons. Some of these add-ons include Kubernetes tools for networking and AWS service integrations.
   

Benefits of AWS EKS over standalone Kubernetes

There are several benefits of AWS EKS when compared to native Kubernetes.

• Implementing AWS EKS will remove time-consuming processes like creating the Kubernetes master cluster. With standalone Kubernetes, your employees would have to spend many company hours designing and building different infrastructures.
  
• AMS EKS eliminates a singular point of failure as the Kubernetes control plane is spread across various AWS availability zones.  
  
• EKS is embedded with a range of AWS monitoring services, which means it has scalability and can grow as your company expands. It makes features like AWS Identity Access Management and Elastic Load Balancing straightforward and convenient for your employees.
  

AWS EKS operation

AWS EKS has two main components — a control plane and worker nodes. The control plane has three Kubernetes master nodes that will be installed in three different availability zones. It runs on the cloud controlled by AMS. You cannot manage this control panel directly; it is managed through AMS.

The other component is worker nodes. These run on the organization’s private cloud and can be accessed through Secure Shell (SSH). The worker nodes control your organization’s containers, and the control panels organize and monitor the container’s creation and place of origin.

As EKS operations are flexible, you can position an EKS cluster for every organization or use an EKS cluster from multiple applications. Without EKS, you would have to run and monitor the worker nodes and control panel, as it would not be automated. Implementing an EKS operation frees organizations from the burden of operating Kubernetes and all the infrastructure that comes with it. AWS essentially does all the heavy lifting.

Here is how to get started with AWS EKS.

Maximize your Kubernetes investment with LogicMonitor 

AWS EKS is a system that can streamline and optimize your company. However, many are not using it to its full potential. Monitoring will help you get the most out of your investment via key metrics and visualizations. Use these insights to drive optimizations and overcome common hurdles. 

If you need a cloud monitoring solution, LogicMonitor can help you maximize your investment and modernize your hybrid cloud ecosystem. Want to try it for free? Sign up for a free trial today!

Learn more here:

• LogicMonitor & AWS: Maximize your Kubernetes Investment with Monitoring
• LogicMonitor’s Kubernetes Monitoring Overview