GKE - Google Kubernetes Engine

High Level Overview

Section Introduction

Introduction to Google Kubernetes Engine

Welcome to your comprehensive guide on Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE). In this lesson, we’ll explore how GKE—a fully managed, production-ready Kubernetes service on Google Cloud—differs from the open-source Kubernetes project. You’ll learn how GKE accelerates cluster provisioning, automates operations, and enhances security for your containerized workloads.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, make sure you have:

  • A Google Cloud project with billing enabled
  • The Google Cloud SDK (gcloud) installed
  • Basic familiarity with Kubernetes concepts

What You’ll Learn

  • Key differences between GKE and upstream Kubernetes
  • GKE’s high-level architecture and core components
  • How managed control planes and node pools work together
  • Best practices for deploying and scaling applications on GKE

At the end of this section, you’ll test your understanding with a short quiz on GKE cluster concepts.


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Learning Objectives and Prerequisites