Just like Minecraft is more fun when a friend shows you how to make torches and avoid creepers, Kubernetes is also less scary with someone to guide the way.

The Minecraft wiki has lots of pointers for setting up your own server. But it doesn’t say how to do it with Kubernetes. I recently learned how easy it is to deploy an app to a local Raspberry Pi with Kubernetes.

Let’s try it again — this time to run a free Minecraft server on Kubernetes.
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Running a Minecraft server on Kubernetes? Piece of cake!

Why Kubernetes instead of just Docker?

At a busy airport, air traffic controllers manage the flow of aircraft into and out of the airport airspace.

• Aircraft transport passengers and cargo from one city to another. The pilots don’t know much about how the airport is managed. They don’t worry about the other aircraft because they rely on air traffic controllers to keep them safe and moving.
• Air traffic controllers guide pilots during takeoff and landing and monitor aircraft as they travel through the skies. They’re not opinionated about the aircraft and don’t mind any loose chickens running through the aisles 🐔

At a less busy airport, you might not need a controller to manage the safety and efficiency of the aircraft. But having one makes operations run smoothly.

There’s a similar relationship between Docker and Kubernetes. Docker containers package software. Kubernetes is the orchestration system coordinating the behavior of those containers.

There’s a separation of concerns — so your containers don’t care where they run, and the orchestration system doesn’t care what is running inside those containers. If you want a refresher, I’ve previously written an intro to the basics.

#docker #kubernetes #minecraft #raspberry-pi #technology