How I Finally Understood Kubernetes (AKS for Absolute Beginners)

Everyone warned me K8s was too complex. Turns out, with the right approach, it's surprisingly accessible.

Here’s how I wrapped my head around it:

1. First, Make a Simple Container

o I created a basic Node.js app (just a "Hello World" API)

o Made a Dockerfile (it’s just a recipe card for your app):

FROM node:14

COPY . /app

WORKDIR /app

RUN npm install

CMD ["node", "server.js"]

o Built it: docker build -t mynodeapp .

2. Set Up the AKS Cluster

o In Azure Portal: "Create resource" > "Kubernetes Service"

o Selected the cheapest option (1 node, Standard_B2s)

o Waited 10 minutes (perfect tea break time!)

3. Deployed My App

o Connected to the cluster using Azure Cloud Shell

o Ran:

kubectl create deployment mynodeapp --image=mynodeapp

kubectl expose deployment mynodeapp --port=80 --type=LoadBalancer

o Got a public IP where my app was live!

Lightbulb Moment:

Kubernetes isn’t about containers – it’s about managing hundreds of them without losing sleep. AKS does the heavy lifting so you don’t have to!