Autopilot Standard
This page describes Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE), a managedKubernetes service that you can use to deploy and operate containerized applications atscale using Google's infrastructure. This page is intended for platformadministrators who are looking for a scalable, automated, managed Kubernetessolution. Before reading this page, ensure that you're familiar withKubernetes concepts.
GKE is a Google-managed implementation of theKubernetes open source container orchestration platform. Kubernetes was developed by Google,drawing on years of experience operating production workloads at scale onBorg, our in-house cluster managementsystem.
Get started with GKE
You can start exploring GKE in minutes. You can use GKE'sfree tier,which lets you get started with Kubernetes without incurring costs for clustermanagement.
Get started in Google Cloud console
- Try the quickstart to deploy acontainerized web application.
- Read theAutopilot overview,which has guidance and resources for planning and operating your platform.
When to use GKE
GKE is ideal if you need a platform that lets you configure theinfrastructure that runs your containerized apps, such as networking, scaling,hardware, and security. GKE provides the operational power ofKubernetes while managing many of the underlying components, such as thecontrol plane and nodes, for you.
Benefits of GKE
The following table describes some of the benefits of using GKEas your managed Kubernetes platform:
| GKE benefits | |
|---|---|
| Platform management |
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| Improved security posture |
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| Cost optimization |
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| Reliability and availability |
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Configure the application CI/CD pipeline to use Cloud Build,Cloud Deploy, and Artifact Registry.By using managed build and deployment services,you can optimize for security, scale, and simplicity.
Use cases for GKE
GKE and Kubernetes are used in a variety of industries, includingrobotics, healthcare, retail, education, gaming, and financial services. Examples of workloads you can run include:
- AI and ML operations
- Data processing at scale
- Scalable online games platforms
- Reliable applications under heavy load
For case studies by industry and application, refer toGoogle Cloud customers.
How GKE works
A GKE environment consists of nodes, which are Compute Enginevirtual machines (VMs), that are grouped together to form a cluster. Youpackage your apps (also called workloads) into containers. You deploy setsof containers as Pods to your nodes. You use the Kubernetes API to interactwith your workloads, including administering, scaling, and monitoring.
Kubernetes clusters have a set of management nodes called the control plane,which run system components such as the Kubernetes API server. InGKE, Google manages the control plane and system components foryou. In Autopilot mode, which is the recommended way to runGKE, Google also manages your worker nodes. Googleautomatically upgrades component versions for improved stability and security,ensuring high availability, and ensuring integrity of data stored in thecluster's persistent storage.
For more information, refer toGKE cluster architecture.
If you run your workloads in VMs, consider usingMigrate for GKE tocontainerize the workloads without having to rewrite apps or modify source code.
Kubernetes versions and features
GKE automatically upgrades your control plane to new Kubernetesversions that add new features and improvements in the open source project. TheKubernetes version selected for auto-upgrades depends on the stable version inthe GKE release channel you select when you create the cluster.You can alsomanually upgrade your control planeto a different Kubernetes version than the version GKE selectsfor an upgrade. For detailed information on versions and upgrades, refer to therelease notes andGKE versioning and upgrades.If you use GKE Standard mode and don't enroll in arelease channel, you won't get automatic upgrades.
GKE includes most beta and stable Kubernetes features. You can use beta APIs in 1.24 and later.
If you want to try less stable Kubernetes features in the alpha stage, usealpha Standard clusters. Also, don't enable beta APIs in production clusters, or carefully considering the implications before doing so.
Modes of operation
GKE has the Autopilot and Standardmodes of operation, which offer you different levels offlexibility, responsibility, and control.
If you want more information before you choose a mode, refer toChoose a GKE mode of operation.
Use the fullymanaged Autopilotmode, in which Google Cloud manages your nodes for you and provides aworkload-focused, cost-optimized, production-ready experience. Only useStandard mode if you know you have a specific need to manually managethe node pools and clusters.
What's next
- Learn how to deploy a containerized application in GKE.
- Learn more about types of clusters.
- Learn more about Kubernetes.
