Maintaining Kubernetes cluster

A Kubernetes cluster troubleshooting doc to use Automate TurboScale.

Every Kubernetes cluster runs on a specific version of the core software, such as 1.29.3. This version number uses a major.minor.patch format and applies to both the control plane and the worker nodes. Each new version delivers enhancements, bug fixes, and essential security patches. These updates might also deprecate or remove older APIs.

Keeping your cluster updated is vital. Updates ensure you get the latest improvements and maintain compatibility with the wider Kubernetes ecosystem. This includes Custom Resource Definitions (CRDs), Helm charts, Container Storage Interface (CSI) drivers, and other tooling. Failing to upgrade regularly can cause problems. You might end up running unsupported software, increase costs, facing security vulnerabilities, or encountering errors from removed APIs. These issues can lead to compatibility problems and potentially disrupt your applications and CI/CD pipelines.

Reasons to update your cluster

Regularly updating your Kubernetes cluster version is critical for several reasons:

• Security: Gain access to the latest security patches and fixes for vulnerabilities discovered in Kubernetes components. Running unsupported versions exposes your cluster to known risks.

• Features and enhancements: Benefit from new features, performance improvements, and enhancements introduced in newer Kubernetes versions.

• Bug fixes: Resolve known issues and bugs present in older versions.

• Compatibility: Ensure your cluster remains compatible with the broader ecosystem, including monitoring tools, service meshes (like Istio), CI/CD systems, and other dependent applications, which often require specific Kubernetes versions.

• Support lifecycle: Cloud providers and the Kubernetes community support a limited window of versions (typically 3 minor versions, with standard support around 14 months per version). Staying within the support window ensures you receive patches and technical assistance. Falling behind can lead to forced upgrades by the provider, which might occur at inconvenient times.

Cloud-provider-specific upgrade guides

For detailed, step-by-step instructions and provider-specific considerations, refer to the official documentation:

• Amazon Elastic Kubernetes Service (EKS)
• Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS)
• Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE)