Hi all!
There are a million Kubernetes tutorials online, and when you are first embarking on your K8s journey, they all start to blur together. I know this firsthand, because I was in that position a few months ago with no idea where to start.
So
How to use this guide
Work the steps in order. Each one builds on the last, so try not to skip ahead.
Time commitment: Plan for 20 to 30 hours total if you're starting from zero. Spread over a few weeks at a couple of hours every night, it should be doable.
What you'll take away from this: Explain what Kubernetes is and why it exists, read and write a basic manifest, deploy an app to a real cluster, navigate kubectl without a cheat sheet, and back up a workload with Veeam Kasten.
Before you start
Although you can start this guide with zero knowledge of Kubernetes, there are other skills that would be beneficial to have to assist you, such as:
-> A machine with space to run clusters. Have at least 8 GB of RAM, but 16 GB would be more ideal.
-> Linux fundamentals. Kubernetes runs on Linux, so you'll want to be comfortable moving around the filesystem, editing files, checking processes, and reading logs. If you're a Windows-only admin, this is a steep cliff to climb without some prep. Try Introduction to Linux (LFS101) or The Linux Command Line.
-> Containers. Kubernetes orchestrates containers, so it helps a lot to know what one is first. Learn the difference between an image and a container, how a Dockerfile works, and how port mapping works. Docker, Podman, and LXC all teach the same concepts. Start with Get started with Docker or Demystifying Containers 101: A Deep Dive Into Container Technology For Beginners.
Step 1: Learning the Basics -- What IS Kubernetes?
Before you even touch a cluster, you need the basic foundation of what Kubernetes actually is. What's a pod? What's a node? What is the purpose of Kubernetes? These resources provide a base level understanding to build the rest of your knowledge off of.
- Kubernetes: Understanding Kubernetes Architecture through a Ship Analogy | by Aaradhy Srivastava | Medium
- Day 10 - Is Kubernetes Too Complicated?
- Concepts | Kubernetes
My pick: I highly recommend reading the ship analogy and watching the YouTube video. The ship analogy made the concept of Kubernetes and its elements click for me, and the YouTube video provides a broad outlook on what Kubernetes is.
Step 2: Build the foundation with guided courses
Now you can dive deeper with something structured. These courses show you how the pieces connect, while also including some hands-on exercises.
- LinkedIn Learning Course
- Kubernetes for the Absolute Beginners - Hands-On
- Practice Kubernetes Free Labs With KodeKloud Now
- Introduction to Containers w/ Docker, Kubernetes & OpenShift | Coursera
- Training | Kubernetes
My pick: If you only want to do a few, I would go with the LinkedIn Learning Course, KodeKloud Labs, and the Coursera Course. The Coursera one is especially useful because it also covers Docker and OpenShift, which we will use later in this guide.
Step 3: Working in Sandboxes
These are browser-based environments with a real cluster behind them, so you can experiment freely and nothing on your own machine is at risk.
- Kubernetes Interactive Labs and Courses | LabEx, specifically Learn Kubernetes | Kubernetes Courses Online | LabEx
- Kubernetes | Killercoda
Why this one matters: This is where kubectl starts to feel more familiar. Instead of pasting the commands, try typing them out. It sticks a lot better because you actually have to think about what you're doing.
Step 4: Concept Reinforcement
This step is optional, but it can be genuinely helpful if you're a visual learner. These tools give you a picture of how a cluster behaves when something changes.
Step 5: Deployments in Rancher + Red Hat OpenShift
Time to run your own cluster! I'd suggest trying both platforms below and using whichever feels better to you and makes the most sense. Both have intuitive UIs.
- Getting Started With Kubernetes | Rancher
- Red Hat OpenShift
- Tutorials | Kubernetes
- Get Started with Kubernetes Ultimate Hands-on Labs and Tutorials | kubelabs
A good goal for this step: Deploy a multi-replica app, expose it with a Service, scale it up and down, then delete a pod and watch Kubernetes replace it. The last step exemplifies how Kubernetes supports availability.
A tip: Use AI as a tutor. Describe which platform you're using and ask it to walk you through a tutorial for beginners, or paste error messages and ask what went wrong. It can be extremely helpful when you're just starting out to decode what everything means.
Step 6: Deploy Veeam Kasten in your Cluster
Kubernetes is built to be resilient, but it doesn't protect your data for you. Persistent volumes, configs, and secrets all need backups, and it's worth getting comfortable with recovery early, while the stakes are still low.
Install Free Veeam Kasten in your cluster and follow the tutorial that comes with it. Then try to delete something on purpose and restore it. Learning this now, while your cluster is a sandbox, is a much better experience than learning it in production.
Step 7: Keep going!
You've got working knowledge now. Here's how to keep building on it:
- Kubernetes Korner | Veeam Community Resource Hub
- Kubernetes | Reddit
- 90 Days of DevOps | Michael Cade
There are people on these forums who will happily answer your questions, and who are running into the same issues you may face down the line.
Natural next topics, roughly in order:
- Helm, for when writing raw manifests starts to feel like overkill
- Ingress and networking, because getting traffic into a cluster is a subject of its own
- RBAC and secrets management, because access control deserves real attention
Couple pieces of advice:
-> Build something you actually care about. A personal project you want to keep running will teach you more than any tutorial, because you'll run into problems no course thought to cover. I learned the most when I was constantly bumping my head and taking the time to resolve the issues on my own.
-> Take notes. Document everything. When you first start, it may feel like there are a million new concepts being thrown your way. Writing down the critical ideas and definitions can greatly help you. When you are actually deploying things and keep seeing the same error over and over again, write it down and figure out the origin of it. By documenting your journey, you can look back and see the progress you've made.
-> Don’t be afraid to reach out and post. Everyone has started where you are, and was just as confused. Use the online forums to your advantage and consult people who have been through this learning process before. The Kubernetes community is very strong and knowledgeable, and there are always people who are willing to help you.
I hope this Starter Kit was helpful for you and gave you a sense of where to start. While learning Kubernetes can be difficult, it is extremely rewarding once you get the hang of it! Good Luck!
