Install Kubernetes On Ubuntu 20.04 In VirtualBox

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Install Kubernetes on Ubuntu 20.04 in VirtualBox

Hey guys! Ready to dive into the world of container orchestration? Let's get Kubernetes up and running on Ubuntu 20.04 using VirtualBox. This guide will walk you through the entire process, from setting up your virtual machines to deploying your first application. We'll cover everything you need to know, so even if you're new to Kubernetes, you'll be able to follow along. So, grab your coffee (or your favorite beverage), and let's get started!

Prerequisites: What You'll Need

Before we jump into the installation process, let's make sure we have everything we need. You'll need a few things to get started. First off, you'll need a computer, and make sure to have VirtualBox installed on your host machine. VirtualBox is a free and open-source virtualization software that allows you to run multiple operating systems on a single physical machine. You can download it from the VirtualBox website. Also, you'll need the Ubuntu 20.04 ISO image. You can download the ISO file from the official Ubuntu website. It's the Long Term Support (LTS) version, which means it will receive updates and security patches for a longer period. This is important for stability and security. Finally, a little bit of patience. Kubernetes can be a bit tricky to set up the first time, but we'll get there together.

Hardware Requirements

For a smooth experience, ensure your host machine meets the following minimum requirements:

  • CPU: A multi-core processor (at least 2 cores). Kubernetes can be resource-intensive, so more cores will improve performance.
  • RAM: At least 4GB of RAM is recommended. Kubernetes and the virtual machines will consume a significant amount of memory.
  • Storage: At least 20GB of free disk space for the virtual machines and Kubernetes components.

Setting up Ubuntu 20.04 Virtual Machines

Alright, let's get down to the nitty-gritty and set up our Ubuntu 20.04 virtual machines in VirtualBox. We'll be creating multiple VMs: one for the Kubernetes master node and one or more for worker nodes. This setup simulates a real-world Kubernetes cluster. Follow these steps to get started. Open VirtualBox, and let's create the master node first. Click on 'New' in the VirtualBox Manager. Enter a name for the VM (e.g., 'k8s-master'). Select 'Linux' as the type and 'Ubuntu (64-bit)' as the version. Allocate at least 2GB of RAM to the master node VM. 4GB is recommended for better performance. Create a virtual hard disk for the VM. The recommended size is at least 20GB. Choose 'VDI (VirtualBox Disk Image)' as the hard disk file type, and select 'Dynamically allocated' for storage on the physical hard drive. This saves disk space initially. Now, click 'Create' to finish creating the VM.

Configuring the Network

To allow the VMs to communicate with each other, we need to configure the network settings. Select the master node VM in VirtualBox, go to 'Settings', and then 'Network'. In the 'Adapter 1' tab, ensure 'Attached to' is set to 'Bridged Adapter' or 'NAT'. If you select Bridged Adapter, the VM will get an IP address from your local network. If you choose NAT, the VM will be able to access the internet. Configure a static IP address for the master node. This is crucial for Kubernetes to function properly. Start the master node VM. During the Ubuntu installation, select 'Use the entire disk' when partitioning the disk. Configure the hostname for the master node (e.g., 'k8s-master'). Set up a user account. During the installation, make sure to install OpenSSH server. Once the installation is complete, update the system by running 'sudo apt update' and 'sudo apt upgrade'.

Repeat the VM creation process for the worker nodes. Name the worker nodes appropriately (e.g., 'k8s-worker-1'). Configure the network settings for the worker nodes. They should use the same network configuration as the master node. Follow the same Ubuntu installation steps for the worker nodes. Remember to install OpenSSH server and update the systems.

Kubernetes Installation: The Heart of the Matter

Alright, folks, now comes the exciting part: installing Kubernetes! We'll be using kubeadm, a tool that simplifies the Kubernetes installation process. Make sure to do this on all of your VMs, the master and the workers. First, we need to add the Kubernetes repository and import the GPG key. Run the following commands to add the Kubernetes apt repository and import the GPG key. Then, update the package list and install kubeadm, kubelet, and kubectl. These are the core components for Kubernetes. Hold the kubelet package to prevent it from being automatically upgraded. Then, initialize the Kubernetes master node by running the kubeadm init command. Be patient, as this might take a few minutes. Take note of the kubeadm join command provided at the end of the output. We'll need this later to add worker nodes to the cluster. Run the necessary commands to set up kubectl and allow your user to use the cluster. Now, we can install a networking solution. A network add-on is required for pods to communicate with each other. Here, we'll use Calico. Apply the Calico manifest to your cluster. This will install Calico and configure the network. Wait for Calico pods to be in the 'Running' state.

Joining Worker Nodes

Now, let's add the worker nodes to the cluster. On each worker node, run the kubeadm join command that was provided during the master node initialization. After a few moments, the worker nodes should join the cluster. Verify the status of the nodes using the kubectl get nodes command. You should see the master node and the worker nodes listed with their status as 'Ready'. If everything is running smoothly, congratulations! You've successfully installed Kubernetes on Ubuntu 20.04 using VirtualBox. Now let's test it.

Testing Your Kubernetes Cluster

Let's make sure everything is working as expected. We'll deploy a simple application to test our Kubernetes cluster. First, we'll create a deployment for a simple web server. A deployment manages the desired state of your application. Then, expose the deployment as a service. A service provides a stable IP address and DNS name for your application. Finally, access the web server. Check the service's external IP and port. Access the web server in your browser using the external IP and port. If you see the