Definition
K8s, short for Kubernetes, is an open-source system for automating the deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications. It groups containers that make up an application into logical units for easy management and discovery. Kubernetes works by abstracting away the underlying infrastructure, allowing developers to focus on building and deploying applications without worrying about server specifics. This orchestration capability is crucial for modern cloud native development, enabling resilient and scalable systems. For instance, a microservices architecture deployed on Kubernetes can automatically recover from node failures. Unlike Docker, which packages applications into containers, Kubernetes manages those containers across many machines. You will encounter K8s concepts on cloud certification exams like AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate.