Usage scenario
Kubernetes is a set of components that work together to provide a complete platform for deploying, scaling, and operating containerized applications. In this module, you will learn about the core components of a Kubernetes system and how they work together to provide a complete system for deploying, scaling, and operating containerized applications.
What is a Kubernetes Cluster?
When provisioning Kubernetes, you will get something called a cluster.
A cluster is a set of machines, called nodes, which can be physical or virtual machines, that actually runs your containerized applications. Each Kubernetes cluster has a master node, also called the control plane, and one or more worker nodes. The master node (Control Plane) is responsible for managing the cluster, while the worker nodes (Nodes) are responsible for running the applications.
Kubernetes as a container orchestrator is often metaphorically compared to an orchestra, where the master node is the conductor, and the worker nodes are the musicians. The conductor tells the musicians what to play, and the musicians play the music. Conductors themselves do not play instruments. Similarly, the master node does not run containers itself. It only manages the worker nodes. The main task of the control plane is to schedule containers on worker nodes, store and manage the cluster data and provide the cluster's API, which is used to remote control the cluster.
