Posts

AWS Cloud Watch: A Beginner’s Guide

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Amazon CloudWatch is a powerful monitoring and observability service provided by Amazon Web Services (AWS). It allows you to track and analyze the performance of your AWS resources in real-time. Whether you’re a developer, DevOps engineer, or IT manager, CloudWatch provides valuable insights to optimize your applications and infrastructure. In this blog post, we’ll explore what CloudWatch is, its features, and provide straightforward examples to help you understand its usage. What is Amazon CloudWatch? Amazon CloudWatch collects and stores operational data in the form of logs, metrics, and events. Here are some key points: Metrics: CloudWatch Metrics represent time-ordered data points related to your AWS resources. These metrics can be CPU utilization, memory usage, disk I/O, and more. Metrics are uniquely defined by a name, namespace, and dimensions. Logs: CloudWatch Logs allow you to collect, monitor, and analyze log files from your applications and services. You can use custom fil...

AWS CloudTrail : A Beginner’s Guide

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AWS CloudTrail is a powerful service offered by Amazon Web Services (AWS) that allows you to track and document activities within your AWS infrastructure. Whether you’re managing resources, services, or user accounts, CloudTrail provides a detailed event history of every action taken. In this blog post, we’ll explore what CloudTrail is, its benefits, and provide straightforward examples to help you understand its usage. What is AWS CloudTrail? AWS CloudTrail records API calls and actions made within your AWS account. Here are some key points: Event History:  By default, your AWS account has CloudTrail activated, and you have immediate access to the CloudTrail Event history. This history provides a viewable, searchable, printable, and immutable record of the last 90 days’ worth of management events in an AWS Region. These events include actions performed via the AWS Management Console, AWS Command Line Interface (CLI), and AWS SDKs and APIs. CloudTrail Lake: For more advanced use c...

AWS Lambda: A Beginner’s Guide

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AWS Lambda is a serverless compute service provided by Amazon Web Services (AWS). It allows you to run code without provisioning or managing servers. You only pay for the compute time you consume, making it cost-effective and efficient. In simple words, AWS Lambda lets you execute code in response to events, such as file uploads, scheduled tasks, or messages published to an SNS topic. Let’s dive deeper into how it works and explore some practical examples. How AWS Lambda Works Event Triggers : Lambda functions are triggered by events. Some examples include: A file uploaded to Amazon S3 (cloud storage service). A cron job that runs your function at regular intervals. A message published to an SNS topic (a publish-subscribe service). Function Execution : When an event occurs, AWS Lambda automatically provisions compute resources to run your code. It executes your function in an isolated environment. Scaling : Lambda scales automatically based on the incoming workload. If many events occ...

AWS S3: A Beginner’s Guide

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Amazon S3 (Simple Storage Service) is a powerful cloud-based storage solution provided by Amazon Web Services ( AWS ). It allows you to store and retrieve data securely from anywhere on the web. Whether you’re a developer, a business owner, or just curious about cloud storage, this guide will help you understand the basics of Amazon S3. Key Concepts Buckets: Think of an Amazon S3 bucket as a virtual container for your files. It’s like a folder in the cloud where you can organize and store your data. Buckets have unique names (similar to domain names) and are globally accessible. Objects: Objects are the files you store in an S3 bucket. These can be anything: documents, images, videos, backups, or even cat memes!. Each object has a unique key (similar to a file path) within the bucket. Scalability and Durability: Amazon S3 is highly scalable. You can store as little as a single file or as much as petabytes of data. It’s also incredibly durable. Your data is redundantly stored across mu...

AWS IAM: A Beginner’s Guide

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Amazon Web Services (AWS) offers a plethora of services, and Identity and Access Management (IAM) is a critical component for securing your AWS resources. In this blog post, we’ll demystify IAM, explore its features, and provide straightforward examples to help you grasp its importance. What is IAM? IAM stands for Identity and Access Management . Let’s break it down: Identity : IAM helps you manage users, groups, and roles within your AWS account. These identities are essential for controlling access to AWS resources. Access Management : IAM allows you to define who can do what in your AWS environment. You can grant or restrict permissions based on roles and policies. Why Do We Need IAM? Before IAM, managing access was chaotic: Shared Passwords : People shared passwords over insecure channels like email or phone calls. Single Admin Password : Only one admin password existed, stored in a vulnerable location. Lack of Security : Anyone could eavesdrop and gain unauthorized access. IAM s...

AWS EC2 Instances: A Beginner’s Guide

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Amazon Web Services (AWS) provides a wide range of cloud computing services, and Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) is one of its core offerings. In this blog post, we’ll explore what EC2 is, how it works, and provide simple examples to help you understand this essential service. What is EC2? EC2 stands for Elastic Compute Cloud . It’s an on-demand computing service within the AWS cloud platform. But what does that mean in plain terms? Let’s break it down: Virtual Computers : EC2 allows you to rent virtual computers (instances) in the cloud. These instances come pre-configured with operating systems and necessary software. Flexibility : You can configure EC2 instances according to your needs. Allocate RAM, storage, and other resources based on your current task. Plus, you can easily dismantle an instance once it’s no longer required. Scalability : EC2 offers resizable capacity. You can scale up or down depending on incoming traffic. No need to worry about physical hardware limitations. Pay-...

Easy Home Lab Setup of KIND & MicroK8s

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After installing minikube on my Ubuntu VM which is running in Vagrant, on top of my windows 10 desktop. I started to notice some performance issues which ended up with frequent minikube restarts and constant VM reboots. Then on the internet, I found another way or actually two ways to run my k8s cluster lab setup on my local virtual environment using KIND  & MicroK8s , which i would like to share with the community. So the steps are as follows, So, what is KIND ? KIND is a tool that allows you to run local Kubernetes clusters using Docker container “nodes”. It is primarily designed for testing Kubernetes itself, but it can also be used for local development or continuous integration (CI). With KIND, you can create a Kubernetes cluster within minutes. It supports multi-node (including high availability) clusters and building Kubernetes release builds from source. First lets build our VM using Vagrant and Virtualbox, you can get the steps from here . Setting up the Vagrant direc...

Decoding the Tech Maze: Demystifying SRE and DevOps for Everyone

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Introduction: In the ever-evolving world of technology, two terms often thrown around are Site Reliability Engineering (SRE) and DevOps. They sound fancy, but what do they really mean? Are they the same thing, or do they have their own unique roles in the tech landscape? Let's break it down in simple terms. Understanding DevOps: DevOps, short for Development and Operations, is like a magical bridge that connects software development with IT operations. Imagine it as a team of wizards ensuring that the code developers create not only works flawlessly but also smoothly integrates with the infrastructure it runs on. In simpler terms, DevOps is all about teamwork and collaboration. Developers and operations folks come together, share responsibilities, and work hand-in-hand to build, test, and deploy software. The goal? Faster and more reliable delivery of applications. Meet the SRE Heroes: Now, enter the Site Reliability Engineer, or SRE. If DevOps is the magical bridge, SREs are the g...

Git - Cheat Sheet: A Quick Guide to Git Commands

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Git, the ubiquitous version control system, empowers developers to efficiently manage their codebase. Whether you're a Git novice or a seasoned pro, having a cheat sheet handy can be a game-changer. Let's explore a comprehensive Git cheat sheet to help you navigate your repositories with ease. 1. Setting Up Git:    - **Configure User Information:**      ```      git config --global user.name "Your Name"      git config --global user.email "your@email.com"      ```    - **Initialize a Repository:**      ```      git init      ``` 2. Basic Commands:    - **Clone a Repository:**      ```      git clone <repository_url>      ```    - **Check Repository Status:**      ```      git status      ```    - **Add Changes to Staging:**     ...

My Kubernetes Lab Setup - Using Vagrant & Docker

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My everyday driver is a Windows 10 PC, and today we will install minikube on Ubuntu 20.04 running as a Vagrant VM. I have already installed Hashicorp's Vagrant and Oracle VirtualBox on the PC to build up several environments for testing. You may know more about Vagrant from here , and get both downloaded from here ( Vagrant , VirtualBox ). Post installing Vagrant & Virtualbox now time to get our Kubernetes lab setup up and running. What is Minikube ? Minikube is an open-source tool that enables developers to easily set up and manage local Kubernetes clusters for development and testing purposes. By creating a single-node Kubernetes cluster within a virtual machine on the user's local machine, Minikube provides a convenient and isolated environment for simulating Kubernetes deployments. Its user-friendly command-line interface, compatibility with various virtualization drivers, and support for Kubernetes addons make Minikube an essential tool for developers looking to learn,...

Demystifying AWS: A Beginner's Guide to Key Service Categories

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Embarking on the Amazon Web Services (AWS) journey can be both exciting and a bit overwhelming. Fear not, as we're here to unravel the basics of AWS services, grouping them into broad categories that make navigating the cloud a breeze. Understanding AWS Service Categories: Compute Services:    - EC2 (Elastic Compute Cloud):      Imagine EC2 as your customizable virtual computer in the cloud. You can choose its size, add storage, and install software. It's like having a computer without the physical box.    - Lambda:      Lambda is the go-to for serverless computing. Upload your code, and AWS runs it as needed. Think of it as hiring temporary workers for specific tasks without worrying about managing servers. Storage Services:    - S3 (Simple Storage Service):      S3 is your cloud storage space. Treat it like a digital attic where you store files, images, and videos securely. It's simple, scalable, and accessible...

Exploring Vagrant: Simplifying Development Environments

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Have you ever found yourself wrestling with the complexities of setting up a development environment? Enter Vagrant, a powerful tool designed to make this process smoother and more efficient. What is Vagrant? Vagrant is an open-source software product by Hashicorp for building and managing virtualized development environments. In simpler terms, it helps developers create reproducible and consistent setups for their projects, regardless of the underlying operating system. How Does Vagrant Work? Vagrant uses virtualization technology to create isolated environments known as "boxes." These boxes contain everything needed to run a specific application or project, such as the operating system, software dependencies, and configurations. Developers can easily share these boxes with team members, ensuring everyone works in the same environment. Use Cases of Vagrant: Cross-Platform Development:    Vagrant allows developers to work seamlessly across different operating systems. Whether...

Navigating the Cloud: OpenShift vs. Kubernetes

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Introduction: In the ever-evolving world of container orchestration, two heavyweights have emerged - OpenShift and Kubernetes. Both are popular choices for managing and deploying containerized applications, but they have distinct features that set them apart. In this article, we'll explore the advantages and disadvantages of OpenShift and Kubernetes in simple terms to help you make an informed decision for your cloud journey. Kubernetes - The Trailblazer: Kubernetes, often dubbed as "K8s," is an open-source container orchestration platform that has become the de facto standard in the industry. Its strength lies in its simplicity and robustness. Kubernetes provides a flexible and extensible framework for orchestrating containers, making it an excellent choice for managing complex, microservices-based applications. Advantages of Kubernetes: Community Support: Kubernetes boasts a vast and active community. This means a wealth of resources, documentation, and support. If you ...

The Future of Software Development: GitOps vs. DevOps

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DevOps and GitOps are two popular models for software development that have gained traction in recent years. While both models share some similarities, they differ in several key ways. What is DevOps? DevOps is a software development model that emphasizes collaboration between development and operations teams. The goal of DevOps is to make the software development process faster and more efficient by improving communication between teams and automating certain tasks. What is GitOps? GitOps is a newer model that builds on the principles of DevOps. GitOps uses Git as the single source of truth for infrastructure and application code deployments. This means that all changes to the system are tracked in Git, making it easier to manage and deploy changes. GitOps also emphasizes automation and observability. How is GitOps Different from DevOps? The main difference between GitOps and DevOps is that GitOps uses Git as the single source of truth for infrastructure and application code deploymen...

Embracing DevOps: A Simple Guide to Streamlining Software Delivery

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Introduction: In the ever-evolving landscape of software development, DevOps has emerged as a game-changer, bringing together the worlds of development and operations to create a seamless and efficient process. But what exactly is DevOps, and how can it benefit your team or organization? Let's break it down in simple terms. Understanding DevOps: DevOps is not just a buzzword; it's a cultural shift that aims to foster collaboration and communication between software developers and IT operations. The goal is to automate the process of software delivery and infrastructure changes, ensuring a faster and more reliable release cycle. Continuous Integration (CI): Imagine building a jigsaw puzzle; you wouldn't wait until you have all the pieces to start connecting them. Similarly, in software development, CI is about integrating code changes into a shared repository frequently. This practice helps detect and fix issues early, preventing last-minute surprises during the deployment p...