Kubernetes at Laerdal Medical

Apr 17, 2023·
· 2 min read
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Abstract
Scaling Kubernetes clusters to meet peak demand involves dynamically adjusting the number of nodes based on fluctuating workloads. Traditional static scaling methods fail to optimize resource utilization and cost, leading to either over-provisioning during low demand or under-provisioning during high demand. Implementing Kubernetes Cluster Autoscaler enables automatic scaling, ensuring efficient resource allocation and improved system performance.
Type
Publication
How SiteImprove got most of its infrastructure moved to a cloud based kubernetes cluster.

At Laerdal Medical, Sébastien Requiem served as a DevOps Engineer, overseeing the migration from on-premises infrastructure to cloud-based solutions utilizing Azure and AWS. He excelled in Kubernetes automation, implementing Role-Based Access Control (RBAC), and managing multi-region deployments with horizontal auto-scaling to handle varying workloads. Sébastien developed a comprehensive CI/CD pipeline using Jenkins and provided crucial technical training to the DevOps team. His expertise included Docker, Elasticsearch, Prometheus, Grafana, Ansible, and Keycloak for user management, significantly enhancing the efficiency and reliability of the deployment processes.

Note: This assignment is subject to an NDA, hence the very limited description.

Responsibilities:

  • Cloud Technical Lead: Responsible for migration from on-premises to cloud-based implementations using Azure and AWS.
  • Kubernetes Management: Automated deployments, Role-Based Authentication, and user management.
  • Cloud Deployments: Leveraged cloud services such as AKS, EKS, Kops, Load Balancers, Virtual Machines, Storage, Object/blob storage, and well-known open-source databases.
  • Multi-Region Deployments: Managed deployments across multiple regions with horizontal auto-scaling using Kubernetes Cluster Autoscaler to handle dynamic load.
  • CI/CD Implementation: Implemented a complete CI/CD pipeline to facilitate rapid software releases using Jenkins and Kubernetes-based controller/agent architecture.
  • Training: Conducted technical training sessions for the DevOps team to transition activities.

Technologies Used:

  • Containerization and Orchestration:
    • Kubernetes
    • Docker
    • KOPS (Kubernetes Operations)
    • Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
  • Monitoring and Logging:
    • Elasticsearch (with client, master, and data nodes with persistent storage)
    • Prometheus (including Node Exporter and Prometheus Client)
    • Grafana for visualization
  • Automation and Deployment:
    • Ansible for on-prem automation and deployments
    • Kubernetes auto-scaling (automatic provisioning and node insertion)
  • User Management:
    • Keycloak for user management

Skills:

  • Cloud Computing:

    • Azure
    • AWS
    • Cloud Migration

  • Containerization and Orchestration:

    • Kubernetes
    • Docker
    • KOPS (Kubernetes Operations)

  • Automation and Deployment:

    • Ansible
    • CI/CD Pipeline Implementation
    • Jenkins

  • Security and Access Control:

    • Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
    • Keycloak

  • Monitoring and Logging:

    • Elasticsearch
    • Prometheus
    • Node Exporter
    • Grafana

  • Scaling and Performance Management:

    • Horizontal Auto-Scaling
    • Kubernetes Cluster Autoscaler
    • Multi-Region Deployments

  • Infrastructure Management:

    • Virtual Machines
    • Load Balancers
    • Storage Solutions

  • Technical Training and Team Leadership:

    • Technical Training
    • Team Leadership and Mentorship

  • Database Management:

    • Open-Source Database Implementation

  • Problem-Solving and Optimization:

    • Dynamic Resource Allocation
    • System Performance Improvement
DevOps Engineer Cloud Migration Azure AWS Kubernetes Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) Multi-Region Deployments Horizontal Auto-Scaling Kubernetes Cluster Autoscaler CI/CD Pipeline Jenkins Docker Elasticsearch Prometheus Node Exporter Grafana Ansible On-Prem Automation KOPS (Kubernetes Operations) Keycloak Cloud Infrastructure Monitoring and Logging Automation Virtual Machines Load Balancers Storage Solutions Continuous Integration Continuous Deployment Technical Training
Authors
DevOps freelance