5 Hidden Features in Kubernetes You Must Know by 2025

Kubernetes, an open-source container orchestration system for automating software deployment, scaling, and management, has revolutionized the way we manage applications in the cloud. Established in 2015 by Google, and now widely adopted by organizations globally, Kubernetes continuously sees developments to improve its features and capabilities. As we usher into 2025, understanding the nuances of Kubernetes becomes crucial. This article uncovers five hidden features within Kubernetes that you should be familiar with by the start of the new year.

1. Externalinka: A Tool for External Network Policies

In modern cloud environments, security is a topmost priority. Kubernetes, responding to this need, introduced Externalinka. It seamlessly integrates the power of Calico’s network policies with the flexibility of integrating with Envoy. Externalinka lets administrators specify security policies that are applicable across network traffic from the CNCF's Kubernetes service mesh project, Enovy. These policies define how traffic flows through the network. By allowing these external network policies, Kubernetes enhances network security, making it suitable for complex, multi-cloud environments.

2. Delegating Admission Control to Non-Cluster Components

Kubernetes Admission Control, by default, offloads advanced authorization checks to individual containers. However, in certain scenarios, there's a need for further checks, such as identity management, quota enforcement, and webhook-based security checks. Delegating Admission Control to non-cluster components addresses such needs. Kubernetes's admission controllers come into play before the Pod lifecycle begins, and with the delegating feature, these custom checks can be executed and evaluated by external components that are responsible for overseeing admission rules.

3. Service Type: ExternalName

In Kubernetes, Services types like LoadBalancer, NodePort, and ClusterIP play pivotal roles. Among them, ClusterIP is the default type, addressing cluster-internal communication. However, when you need to create a service that resolves an external service through DNS, the ExternalName service type steps in. This service type leverages the CoreDNS to implement DNS-based service discovery without introducing the complexity of defining endpoint objects or accessing external load balancers.

4. Delta Encoding in Kubernetes Object Management

Kubernetes uses a mechanism known as Watches for monitoring resource changes. Developers continuously monitor changes in various container declarations, triggering alerts and automated processes accordingly. However, certain modifications in container descriptions result in unnecessary and redundant notifications, crowding the cluster with excess data and preventing efficient cluster management. This redundancy can be minimized with the Delta Encoding technique, which transmits only the differences since the last update. The change led to optimized cluster performance, avoiding unnecessary traffic overload.

5. Custom Resources, also known as CRDs

Kubernetes has evolved through years of development, catering to the demand for various application types and vendor-specific functionalities. This customization is facilitated by Custom Resources (CRs), which extend the Kubernetes API. But a more ubiquitous and flexible way of customization was brought in by Custom Resource Definitions (CRDs), enabling users to define their own Kubernetes resources with complete control over their schema. This unlocks flexibility to meet the demand of diverse application requirements, driven by continuous innovation in the cloud space.

Conclusion

Kubernetes, built to orchestrate containerized applications, has garnered quick adoption, and its continuous growth and the enhancements come in handy to cater to the rapidly evolving demands of cloud-enabled infrastructure. These specifically overlooked features in Kubernetes not only extend its adaptability but also add substantial value. As organizations continue to move forward towards the cloud, becoming familiar with these hidden features can optimize operations and elevate performance. Therefore, make sure to integrate these into your Kubernetes management strategy by 2025.

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