Introduction to Kubernetes on Edge with K3s from edX

There is a growing interest in running software at the edge. This course takes a deep dive into the use cases and applications of Kubernetes at the edge using examples, labs, and a technical overview of the K3s project and the cloud native edge ecosystem.

This course is designed for those interested learning more about Kubernetes, as well as in deploying applications or embedded sensors in edge locations. While learners do not need a Kubernetes certification for this course, experience with a Linux operating system and shell scripting will be beneficial. Programming experience is also not strictly required. Learners will need to be able to run Docker on their computer.

In this course, you will learn the use cases for running compute in edge locations and about various supporting projects and foundations such as LF Edge and CNCF. The course covers how to deploy applications to the edge with open source tools such as K3s and k3sup, and how those tools can be applied to low-power hardware such as the Raspberry Pi. You will learn the challenges associated with edge compute, such as partial availability and the need for remote access. Through practical examples, students will gain experience of deploying applications to Kubernetes and get hands-on with object storage, MQTT and OpenFaaS. It also introduces the fleet management and GitOps models of deployment, and helps you understand messaging, and how to interface with sensors and real hardware.

This course will enable developers to learn about the growing impact the cloud native movement is having on modernizing edge deployments. They will also learn the challenges of deploying Kubernetes on the edge through a concrete example via the k3s project.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Use cases for running compute in edge locations
How to deploy applications to the edge with open source tools such as k3s and k3sup
How open source tools can be applied to low-power hardware such as the raspberry pi
The challenges associated with edge compute, such as partial availability and the need for remote access

Gain experience of deploying applications to kubernetes and get hands-on with object storage, mqtt and openfaas
Fleet management and gitops models of deployment
Understand messaging and how to interface with sensors and real hardware

Use cases for running compute in edge locations
How to deploy applications to the edge with open source tools such as k3s and k3sup
How open source tools can be applied to low-power hardware such as the raspberry pi
The challenges associated with edge compute, such as partial availability and the need for remote access
Gain experience of deploying applications to kubernetes and get hands-on with object storage, mqtt and openfaas
Fleet management and gitops models of deployment
Understand messaging and how to interface with sensors and real hardware

Syllabus

Welcome

Ch 1. The Case for Edge Compute

Ch 2. The Edge Compute Landscape

Ch 3. Scaling Down and System-on-Chip Devices

Ch 4. What Is K3s and Why Is It needed?

Ch 5. Setting Up Your Lab Environment

Ch 6. Kubernetes API Primitives

Ch 7. Functions at the Edge

Ch 8. Command & Control and Remote Access

Ch 9. Deployment Strategies for Applications at the Edge

Ch 10. Challenges with Edge

Ch 11. Further Resources

Final Exam (verified track only)

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Students with a background in Kubernetes may want to take this course to enhance their knowledge of deploying Kubernetes at the edge

Provides insights into the challenges of edge computing, such as latency and partial availability

Includes hands-on experience with object storage, MQTT, and OpenFaaS

The course is taught by subject matter experts

Focuses on practical applications of Kubernetes in edge computing scenarios

May be less accessible to those without prior experience in Linux, shell scripting, or Docker

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Introduction to Kubernetes on Edge with K3s with these activities:

Review the basics of Linux

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Reviewing the basics of Linux will help you be more comfortable with the command line and terminal, which are essential for working with Kubernetes and edge computing.

Browse courses on Linux

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Find a tutorial or resource on the basics of Linux.
Go through the tutorial or resource.
Practice using the command line.

Run Kubernetes commands on your local machine

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Running Kubernetes commands locally will help you practice what you learn in the course and gain a better understanding of how Kubernetes works.

Browse courses on Kubernetes

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Open your terminal and enter the following command: docker run -it --rm k8s.gcr.io/k3s/k3s:v1.23.1-k3s1
This will start a Kubernetes cluster on your local machine.
You can now use the kubectl command to manage your cluster.

Follow a tutorial on how to deploy a serverless function on the edge

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Following a tutorial on how to deploy a serverless function on the edge will help you get started with serverless computing and edge computing.

Browse courses on Kubernetes

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Find a tutorial on how to deploy a serverless function on the edge.
Follow the steps in the tutorial.
Deploy your serverless function on the edge.
Test your serverless function.

Four other activities

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Create a study guide for the course

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Creating a study guide will help you organize your notes and prepare for exams.

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Go through the course materials.
Identify the key concepts.
Create a study guide that includes the key concepts.

Write a blog post or article about your experience with K3s

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Writing a blog post or article will help you solidify your understanding of K3s and edge computing.

Browse courses on Kubernetes

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Start by outlining your blog post or article.
Write a draft of your blog post or article.
Edit and proofread your blog post or article.
Publish your blog post or article.

Participate in a hackathon or coding challenge related to Kubernetes or edge computing

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Participating in a hackathon or coding challenge will give you a chance to apply your skills and knowledge in a real-world setting.

Browse courses on Kubernetes

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Find a hackathon or coding challenge that is relevant to your interests.
Register for the hackathon or coding challenge.
Prepare for the hackathon or coding challenge by practicing your skills and learning about the relevant technologies.
Attend the hackathon or coding challenge.
Work on your project during the hackathon or coding challenge.
Submit your project to the hackathon or coding challenge.

Contribute to an open-source project related to Kubernetes or edge computing

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Contributing to an open-source project is a great way to learn about the technology and get involved in the community.

Browse courses on Kubernetes

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Find an open-source project that is related to Kubernetes or edge computing.
Create an issue or pull request on the project.
Work on your contribution.
Submit your contribution to the project.

Career center

Learners who complete Introduction to Kubernetes on Edge with K3s will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Kubernetes Administrator

Kubernetes Administrators oversee the deployment, management, and maintenance of Kubernetes clusters. They ensure that clusters are running smoothly and efficiently, and that applications are deployed and scaled according to business needs. This course provides a solid foundation in Kubernetes concepts and practices, and will help you develop the skills needed to be successful in this role. You will learn how to deploy and manage Kubernetes clusters, how to deploy and scale applications, and how to troubleshoot and resolve issues. By taking this course, you will gain the knowledge and skills needed to become a successful Kubernetes Administrator.

See salaries and explore the career path for Kubernetes Administrator

Cloud Architect

Cloud Architects design and implement cloud computing solutions. They work with clients to understand their business needs and develop solutions that meet those needs. This course provides a solid foundation in Kubernetes and edge computing, and will help you develop the skills needed to be successful in this role. You will learn about the different use cases for Kubernetes at the edge, and how to deploy and manage Kubernetes clusters in edge environments. By taking this course, you will gain the knowledge and skills needed to become a successful Cloud Architect.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Architect

DevOps Engineer

DevOps Engineers work to bridge the gap between development and operations teams. They help to automate and streamline the software development process, and ensure that applications are deployed and managed efficiently. This course provides a solid foundation in Kubernetes and edge computing, and will help you develop the skills needed to be successful in this role. You will learn about the different use cases for Kubernetes at the edge, and how to deploy and manage Kubernetes clusters in edge environments. By taking this course, you will gain the knowledge and skills needed to become a successful DevOps Engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for DevOps Engineer

Site Reliability Engineer

Site Reliability Engineers ensure that websites and applications are up and running 24/7. They work to identify and resolve issues before they impact users, and they help to improve the reliability and performance of systems. This course provides a solid foundation in Kubernetes and edge computing, and will help you develop the skills needed to be successful in this role. You will learn about the different use cases for Kubernetes at the edge, and how to deploy and manage Kubernetes clusters in edge environments. By taking this course, you will gain the knowledge and skills needed to become a successful Site Reliability Engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Site Reliability Engineer

Data Scientist

Data Scientists use data to solve business problems. They work with data to identify trends, patterns, and insights that can be used to make better decisions. This course provides a solid foundation in Kubernetes and edge computing, and will help you develop the skills needed to be successful in this role. You will learn about the different use cases for Kubernetes at the edge, and how to deploy and manage Kubernetes clusters in edge environments. By taking this course, you will gain the knowledge and skills needed to become a successful Data Scientist.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Software Engineer

Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software applications. They work with clients to understand their needs and develop solutions that meet those needs. This course provides a solid foundation in Kubernetes and edge computing, and will help you develop the skills needed to be successful in this role. You will learn about the different use cases for Kubernetes at the edge, and how to deploy and manage Kubernetes clusters in edge environments. By taking this course, you will gain the knowledge and skills needed to become a successful Software Engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Systems Administrator

Systems Administrators manage and maintain computer systems. They work to ensure that systems are up and running smoothly, and that data is safe and secure. This course provides a solid foundation in Kubernetes and edge computing, and will help you develop the skills needed to be successful in this role. You will learn about the different use cases for Kubernetes at the edge, and how to deploy and manage Kubernetes clusters in edge environments. By taking this course, you will gain the knowledge and skills needed to become a successful Systems Administrator.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Administrator

Network Engineer

Network Engineers design, build, and maintain computer networks. They work to ensure that networks are reliable and secure, and that data is transmitted efficiently. This course provides a solid foundation in Kubernetes and edge computing, and will help you develop the skills needed to be successful in this role. You will learn about the different use cases for Kubernetes at the edge, and how to deploy and manage Kubernetes clusters in edge environments. By taking this course, you will gain the knowledge and skills needed to become a successful Network Engineer.

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Database Administrator

Database Administrators manage and maintain databases. They work to ensure that databases are up and running smoothly, and that data is safe and secure. This course provides a solid foundation in Kubernetes and edge computing, and will help you develop the skills needed to be successful in this role. You will learn about the different use cases for Kubernetes at the edge, and how to deploy and manage Kubernetes clusters in edge environments. By taking this course, you will gain the knowledge and skills needed to become a successful Database Administrator.

See salaries and explore the career path for Database Administrator

Security Analyst

Security Analysts identify and resolve security threats. They work to protect networks and systems from unauthorized access, and to investigate and respond to security incidents. This course provides a solid foundation in Kubernetes and edge computing, and will help you develop the skills needed to be successful in this role. You will learn about the different use cases for Kubernetes at the edge, and how to deploy and manage Kubernetes clusters in edge environments. By taking this course, you will gain the knowledge and skills needed to become a successful Security Analyst.

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Cloud Security Engineer

Cloud Security Engineers design and implement security measures for cloud computing environments. They work to protect cloud resources from unauthorized access, and to ensure that data is safe and secure. This course provides a solid foundation in Kubernetes and edge computing, and will help you develop the skills needed to be successful in this role. You will learn about the different use cases for Kubernetes at the edge, and how to deploy and manage Kubernetes clusters in edge environments. By taking this course, you will gain the knowledge and skills needed to become a successful Cloud Security Engineer.

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Data Architect

Data Architects design and manage data systems. They work with clients to understand their data needs and develop solutions that meet those needs. This course provides a solid foundation in Kubernetes and edge computing, and will help you develop the skills needed to be successful in this role. You will learn about the different use cases for Kubernetes at the edge, and how to deploy and manage Kubernetes clusters in edge environments. By taking this course, you will gain the knowledge and skills needed to become a successful Data Architect.

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Business Analyst

Business Analysts work with clients to understand their business needs and develop solutions that meet those needs. This course provides a solid foundation in Kubernetes and edge computing, and will help you develop the skills needed to be successful in this role. You will learn about the different use cases for Kubernetes at the edge, and how to deploy and manage Kubernetes clusters in edge environments. By taking this course, you will gain the knowledge and skills needed to become a successful Business Analyst.

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Project Manager

Project Managers plan and execute projects. They work with teams to ensure that projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards. This course provides a solid foundation in Kubernetes and edge computing, and will help you develop the skills needed to be successful in this role. You will learn about the different use cases for Kubernetes at the edge, and how to deploy and manage Kubernetes clusters in edge environments. By taking this course, you will gain the knowledge and skills needed to become a successful Project Manager.

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Technical Writer

Technical Writers create and maintain technical documentation. They work with engineers and other technical experts to translate technical information into clear and concise language. This course provides a solid foundation in Kubernetes and edge computing, and will help you develop the skills needed to be successful in this role. You will learn about the different use cases for Kubernetes at the edge, and how to deploy and manage Kubernetes clusters in edge environments. By taking this course, you will gain the knowledge and skills needed to become a successful Technical Writer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer