Setting Up Kubernetes Locally with K3d

🌟 Welcome to the Ultimate Guide on Setting Up Kubernetes Locally with Docker Desktop and NGINX Ingress! 🚀

Are you ready to dive into the exciting world of Kubernetes without leaving the comfort of your local machine? Let’s get started!

📥 Step 1: Install Docker Desktop

First things first, you need Docker Desktop on your machine. It’s your gateway to running Kubernetes locally.

• 🔗 Download and Install: Head over to the Docker Desktop website and grab the installer for your OS.

🔄 Step 2: Enable Kubernetes in Docker Desktop

Once Docker is cozy on your machine, it’s time to awaken the Kubernetes beast within it.

• ✅ Enable Kubernetes: Open Docker Desktop, find your way to Preferences > Kubernetes, and tick the “Enable Kubernetes” box.
• 🔁 Apply & Restart: Hit “Apply & Restart” and watch the magic happen!

🚦 Step 3: Install NGINX Ingress Controller

Kubernetes is cool, but it needs a trusty Ingress controller to manage traffic. And NGINX is our hero here.

• 🗺️ Install via Helm: Helm is like your Kubernetes treasure map. Follow the instructions on the Helm website to get it. Then run these commands:

  helm repo add ingress-nginx https://kubernetes.github.io/ingress-nginx
  helm repo update
  helm install nginx-ingress ingress-nginx/ingress-nginx
  

🖊️ Step 4: Configure DNS Using Hosts File

Time to play with the hosts file to make your local DNS play nice with Kubernetes.

• 📝 Edit Hosts File: This file is hiding at /etc/hosts on Linux and macOS, and C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\etc\hosts on Windows. Add lines like these:

  127.0.0.1   myservice.local
  127.0.0.1   anotherservice.local
  

🚀 Step 5: Deploy Your Application

Let’s get your app into the Kubernetes playground!

• 📄 Create Kubernetes Manifests: Whip up some YAML files for your deployment and service. Here’s a sample to get you started:

apiVersion: apps/v1
kind: Deployment
metadata:
  name: my-app
spec:
  selector:
    matchLabels:
      app: my-app
  replicas: 2
  template:
    metadata:
      labels:
        app: my-app
    spec:
      containers:
      - name: nginx
        image: nginx
        ports:
        - containerPort: 80
---
apiVersion: v1
kind: Service
metadata:
  name: my-app-service
spec:
  selector:
    app: my-app
  ports:
    - protocol: TCP
      port: 80
      targetPort: 80

🛣️ Step 6: Create Ingress Resource

We need some rules to tell NGINX how to route that traffic.

• 📃 Define Ingress Rules: Craft an Ingress YAML that looks something like this:

apiVersion: networking.k8s.io/v1
kind: Ingress
metadata:
  name: my-ingress
spec:
  rules:
  - host: myservice.local
    http:
      paths:
      - path: /
        pathType: Prefix
        backend:
          service:
            name: my-app-service
            port:
              number: 80

✅ Step 7: Apply Your Configuration

Almost there! Let’s make Kubernetes aware of your grand plans.

• 🔧 Apply with kubectl: Run these

  kubectl apply -f <your-deployment.yaml>
  kubectl apply -f <your-ingress.yaml>

🎉 Step 8: Test Your Setup

Moment of truth! Open your browser and go to http://myservice.local. Fingers crossed! 🤞

---

🔍 Troubleshooting Tips: If things go sideways, peek into the NGINX Ingress controller logs and your pods’ logs.

Remember, this is your local Kubernetes playground. In the real world, you’d have an external IP or a proper domain name instead of localhost.

That’s it! You’ve just set up a Kubernetes environment locally with Docker Desktop and NGINX Ingress. Happy coding! 💻🌐