Kubernetes for Dummies

You’ve probably heard of Kubernetes and container technology. More and more organizations are using them. Rapid application development and careful management are the norm; it’s almost impossible to avoid this combination anymore.

But what exactly is Kubernetes? What is it used for? In what situations does Kubernetes come in handy? And what are the main advantages and disadvantages of the platform? In this article, we explain it in understandable language.

What are containers?

To better understand what Kubernetes is and what it actually does, let's first take a brief look at the phenomenon known as container technology. Think of containers as more compact and lighter versions of virtual machines (VMs). VMs function as complete mini-computers: they contain a complete copy of the operating system, the application, and all associated binaries and libraries. Containers, on the other hand, only use parts of the host machine's operating system.

The big advantage of this compact design? You can run many more containers than VMs on the same hardware. Containers use fewer resources, less processing power, and less storage than virtual machines because they contain only the components necessary for an application to function properly.

What is Kubernetes?

Kubernetes (Greek for “helmsman”) comes into play when you want to create and manage containers. It is an open-source orchestration platform originally developed by Google to enable large-scale container management. You can think of it as an operating system specifically designed for the cloud. According to the CNCF Annual Cloud Native Survey (January 2026), 82% of organizations that use containers run Kubernetes in production.

Kubernetes consists of multiple components, including:

• The Kubernetes API server – Provides the programming interface to control the platform.
• The Kubernetes Scheduler – Compares new pods with existing pods and determines where they will be placed.
• The etcd database – Forms the single source of truth where the entire status of the cluster is stored.
• The Kubernetes controller manager – Ensures that the desired state of the cluster is maintained.
• The cloud controller manager – Handles integration with public cloud providers' platforms.
• The Kubelet – An agent that enables you to create, register, manage, update, and, if necessary, delete pods.

In addition, there are a number of important basic concepts and elements within Kubernetes:

• Nodes – These enable pods to be launched and form a cluster together. Each cluster consists of a control plane and multiple worker nodes.
• A cluster – A group of nodes on which you run and manage container applications with Kubernetes.
• A container – A running instance of an image that contains software and all its dependencies.
• A pod – A container or set of containers that you run within your Kubernetes cluster.

Why and how do we use Kubernetes?

Why and how do we use Kubernetes? What can you do with it, and what are the benefits of using Kubernetes? In the following overview, we answer these important questions.

For automatic scaling of your containers

Kubernetes makes it possible to automatically scale the number of containers. Depending on your current needs, you can add or remove containers. This is a particularly useful feature in the cloud. During quiet periods, you can simply use fewer resources to save costs. And during peak periods, when more bandwidth or computing power is needed, you can scale up quickly.

For managing different container versions

Kubernetes allows you to manage different versions of containers. You can upgrade some of the running pods to a new version and view the results before updating all pods that deliver your product.

You can deploy releases across all your servers with just one command. Kubernetes then replaces the old containers with new ones across all your servers, without causing any downtime.

For balancing container workloads and increasing uptime

Kubernetes also helps you balance your digital workloads. Containers can be automatically distributed across your entire cluster, ensuring higher availability and better uptime.

In addition, you can explicitly assign pods to specific nodes that have the right hardware. Kubernetes also makes it easy to link multiple servers for applications that require high availability.

For automatic performance checks and observability

Kubernetes has features that allow you to automatically check whether all your containers are still functioning correctly. This automated control mechanism saves you a lot of manual work and allows you to intervene quickly when containers fail or behave abnormally.

When to use Kubernetes

In which situations does it make sense to use Kubernetes? And when does the platform really offer added value? Peak loads—seasonal or otherwise—are a typical practical example where Kubernetes really comes into its own. During such periods, certain applications are used intensively.

Kubernetes can address capacity issues at the pod or application level by automatically deploying additional resources when an application is approaching its limits. In addition, Kubernetes is ideal for managing highly complex IT landscapes with large amounts of data, applications, and interconnections.

The 6 advantages of Kubernetes

#1 Speed

Kubernetes makes it possible to run multiple versions of an application simultaneously. The big advantage of this? Because software automatically moves through various test and acceptance environments, you can deploy applications much faster. This significantly shortens development cycles.

#2 Standardization

Kubernetes is built around standardization. Regardless of which applications you run, the setup and structure with Kubernetes are largely the same. The platform is suitable for a wide range of application types, such as stateful and stateless applications, microservices, replicated applications, and applications in colocation environments.

#3 More control, lower costs

Kubernetes also offers clear advantages in terms of control and cost management. Development teams retain a complete overview of all containers and dependencies within the cloud environment. Faster and simpler development becomes the norm, which ultimately also has a positive effect on total development costs.

#4 A diverse ecosystem of tools and services

By using Kubernetes, you benefit from a broad ecosystem of functionalities and supporting services. Many specialized tools are already available for Kubernetes and the broader container ecosystem. Thanks to its open-source nature, there is also plenty of room for customization and further expansion.

#5 A secure environment for management and development

Kubernetes utilizes role-based access control, network encryption, and security certificates. This allows you to easily assign the appropriate roles and access rights to users. This ensures that the platform can be securely linked to any cloud environment or existing AD or LDAP structure.

#6 Future-proof

Technology is evolving at breakneck speed, and new innovations are emerging one after another. So make sure your IT environment is ready for the future. Do you expect growth in the number of users or in traffic? With Kubernetes, you can quickly adapt applications to changing circumstances and develop new solutions to meet new needs.

The disadvantages of Kubernetes

But does Kubernetes have no disadvantages at all? Is it a magic tool that instantly eliminates all challenges related to application and cloud management? Unfortunately not. For example, it is not always easy to fully tailor the platform to the exact needs and wishes of your organization.

Precisely because Kubernetes offers so many possibilities, linking and organizing components such as storage, infrastructure, and load balancing is often a complex task that requires considerable technical expertise. In addition, Kubernetes is often overkill for relatively simple applications. In such cases, the time and effort required to set up the platform properly do not outweigh the benefits that Kubernetes offers.

Do you want to take advantage of the benefits of Kubernetes, but lack the time and/or technical expertise to set everything up and manage it yourself? If so, managed Kubernetes is often a good solution. A specialized partner takes care of the most complex tasks for you, so you can focus entirely on developing new features and applications.

When should you seek help?

Most teams are able to set up a cluster. However, managing it becomes a challenge as soon as the cluster becomes mission-critical. Kubernetes releases about three new versions per year and supports each version for about fourteen months. A cluster that isn’t maintained will therefore be running on an unpatched version after more than a year.

Seek help if:

• your cluster is mission-critical and no one monitors it outside of business hours;
• upgrades fall behind or clusters drift apart;
• you want to move away from VMware and run virtual machines and containers on a single platform;
• Your team doesn't have the time or the expertise to set up a platform.

At SUE, there are three ways to get started. We can design and migrate your platform (Kubernetes), manage your clusters (Managed Kubernetes), or you can use Multistax, a ready-to-use platform managed by SUE.

To learn how SUE sets up and manages Kubernetes clusters, visit the Kubernetes page. The Kubernetes guide covers everything from setting up your first cluster to production.