🧪 Kubernetes Hands-On Guide (Beginner Friendly)
Part 1 — Setup
Step 1 — Start Docker Desktop
🎯 Why
Kubernetes in our lab runs inside Docker Desktop. If Docker is not running, Kubernetes will not work.
🛠 Do
Open Docker Desktop and ensure it is running.
✅ Expected
Dashboard loads normally.
🧠 Understand
Docker Desktop provides:
- Container runtime
- Kubernetes cluster (single node)
Step 2 — Enable Kubernetes
🎯 Why
Kubernetes must be enabled before we use kubectl.
🛠 Do
- Docker Desktop → Settings
- Kubernetes
- Enable Kubernetes
- Apply & Restart
- Wait until status shows Running
✅ Expected
Green status / Running.
🧠 Understand
You now have a single-node Kubernetes cluster on your laptop.
Step 3 — Verify Kubernetes CLI
🎯 Why
We use kubectl to talk to Kubernetes.
🛠 Do
kubectl version --client
✅ Expected
Client version shown.
Step 4 — Check cluster connection
🎯 Why
Make sure kubectl is connected to correct cluster.
🛠 Do
kubectl config current-context
✅ Expected
Shows docker-desktop
Step 5 — Check Node
🎯 Why
Node = machine where pods run.
🛠 Do
kubectl get nodes
✅ Expected
1 node with status Ready.
🧠 Understand
Your laptop is acting as the Kubernetes node.
Part 2 — Pods
Step 6 — Create a Pod
🎯 Why
Pod is the smallest unit Kubernetes runs. Usually 1 pod = 1 container.
🛠 Do
kubectl run nginx-pod --image=nginx
Step 7 — Check Pod Status
🛠 Do
kubectl get pods
✅ Expected
nginx-pod → Running
🧠 Understand
Kubernetes:
- Pulled nginx image
- Created container
- Assigned IP
- Started it
Step 8 — Inspect Pod
🎯 Why
See detailed information.
🛠 Do
kubectl describe pod nginx-pod
Look at:
- Image
- Status
- Events
Step 9 — View Logs
🎯 Why
Logs help debug.
🛠 Do
kubectl logs nginx-pod
Step 10 — Delete Pod
🎯 Why
Plain pod is NOT self-healing.
🛠 Do
kubectl delete pod nginx-pod
Check:
kubectl get pods
✅ Pod is gone permanently.
🧠 Understand
Pods alone are not managed.
Part 3 — Deployment (Real Usage)
Step 11 — Create Deployment
🎯 Why
Deployment manages pods:
- Self-healing
- Scaling
- Rolling updates
🛠 Do
kubectl create deployment demo --image=nginx
Step 12 — Verify Deployment
kubectl get deployments
kubectl get pods
✅ 1 deployment ✅ 1 pod (random name)
Step 13 — Self Healing Test
🎯 Why
Deployment keeps desired state.
🛠 Do
Delete the pod:
kubectl delete pod <pod-name>
Check:
kubectl get pods
✅ New pod appears automatically.
🧠 Understand
Deployment enforces:
"I want 1 pod always running."
Step 14 — Scale
🎯 Why
Run multiple copies for load.
🛠 Do
kubectl scale deployment demo --replicas=3
Check:
kubectl get pods
✅ 3 pods running.
🧠 Understand
Kubernetes handles scaling automatically.
Part 4 — Service (Networking)
Step 15 — Expose Deployment
🎯 Why
Pods change names/IPs. Service provides stable access.
🛠 Do
kubectl expose deployment demo --type=NodePort --port=80
Step 16 — Check Service
kubectl get services
Look at:
80:3xxxx/TCP
Open in browser:
http://localhost:<NodePort>
✅ Nginx page loads.
🧠 Understand
Service:
- Stable IP
- Load balances to 3 pods
Part 5 — Labels
Step 17 — View Labels
🎯 Why
Labels connect objects.
🛠 Do
kubectl get pods --show-labels
You’ll see something like:
app=demo
Step 18 — Add Label to Deployment
kubectl label deployment demo team=devops
Check:
kubectl get deployment demo --show-labels
🧠 Understand
This labels the deployment object only.
Step 19 — Add Label to Pod Template (Permanent)
kubectl edit deployment demo
Find:
spec:
template:
metadata:
labels:
Add:
env: training
Save.
Check:
kubectl get pods --show-labels
✅ Pods now have env=training
🧠 Understand
Service selectors match pod labels only.
Step 20 — Filter Using Labels
kubectl get pods -l env=training
Only matching pods show.
Step 21 — Remove Label from Pod
kubectl label pod <pod-name> env-
🧠 Temporary if deployment recreates pod.
Part 6 — Cleanup
Step 22 — Delete Everything
kubectl delete service demo
kubectl delete deployment demo
Verify:
kubectl get all
Cluster clean.
Final Concepts Students Should Know
| Object | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Node | Machine |
| Pod | Runs container |
| Deployment | Manages pods |
| Replica | Number of pod copies |
| Service | Networking & load balance |
| Label | Identifies objects |
| Selector | Matches labels |