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So, you want to use Kubernetes to orchestrate your containerized applications. Good for you. Kubernetes makes it easy to achieve enterprise-scale deployments. But before you actually go and install Kubernetes, theres one thing you need to wrap your head around: Kubernetes distributions. In most cases, you wouldnt install Kubernetes from source code. Youd instead use one of the various Kubernetes distributions that are offered from software companies and cloud vendors.

Heres a primer on what a Kubernetes distribution is, and what the leading Kubernetes distros are today.

What Is Kubernetes?

Before talking about Kubernetes distributions, lets briefly go over what Kubernetes is. Kubernetes is an open source platform for container orchestration. Kubernetes automates many of the tasks that are required to deploy applications using containers, including starting and stopping individual containers, as well as deciding which servers inside a cluster should host which containers.

Kubernetes is only one of several container orchestrators available; other popular options include Docker Swarm and Mesos Marathon. But, for reasons I wont get into here, Kubernetes enjoys majority mindshare, and probably majority market share, too, when it comes to container orchestration.

What Is a Kubernetes Distribution?

As an open source project, Kubernetes makes it source code publicly and freely available on GitHub. Anyone can download, compile and install Kubernetes on the infrastructure of their choice using this source code. But most people who want to install Kubernetes would never download and compile the source code, for several reasons:

Most people turn to a Kubernetes distribution to meet their container orchestration needs. A Kubernetes distribution is a software package that provides a pre-built version of Kubernetes. Most Kubernetes distributions also offer installation tools to make the setup process simpler. Some come with additional software integrations, too, to help handle tasks like monitoring and security.

In this sense, you can think of a Kubernetes distribution as being akin to a Linux distribution. When most people want to install Linux on a PC or server, they use a distribution that provides a pre-built Linux kernel integrated with various other software packages. Almost no one goes and downloads the Linux source code from scratch.

What Are the Main Kubernetes Distributions?

Technically speaking, any software package or platform that includes a pre-built version of Kubernetes counts as a Kubernetes distribution. Just as anyone can build his or her own Linux distribution, anyone can make a Kubernetes distribution.

However, if you want a Kubernetes distribution for getting serious work done, there are several main options available:

Conclusion

To say that Kubernetes is a complex beast is to understate. Fortunately, Kubernetes distributions make it easy to take advantage of Kubernetes without all of the fuss and muss of setting up Kubernetes yourself from scratch. For most use cases, one of the Kubernetes distributions described above is the most practical way to get up and running with Kubernetes.

Read the rest here:
How to Choose the Right Kubernetes Distribution - ITPro Today