Knowledge base
Kubernetes: architecture, operations and practical guides
Kubernetes orchestrates containerized applications across multiple nodes and environments. This knowledge area covers the complete platform architecture: clusters on Proxmox, bare metal and European cloud providers, networking and private access, storage and backup, GitOps and CI/CD, as well as upgrades, monitoring and ongoing operations. The articles explain both technical foundations and concrete architecture and migration decisions.
Basics & decision
What is Kubernetes?
Kubernetes orchestrates containerized applications across multiple systems. Learn its architecture, core objects, limits and production duties.Do we need Kubernetes?
When Kubernetes adds value and when Docker Compose, Coolify or VMs fit better. Decide based on applications, teams, operations and growth.Kubernetes vs Docker Compose vs Coolify
Docker Compose, Kubernetes or Coolify? A decision guide by team size, high availability, deployments and operations, with a comparison table.What is Talos Linux? An OS for Kubernetes
Talos Linux explained: API instead of SSH, immutable system, open-source licence, Kubernetes operations and limitations on Proxmox. As of October 2026.Clusters & infrastructure
Proxmox vs Kubernetes: differences and combined use
Proxmox vs Kubernetes: compare VM management and container orchestration, responsibilities, HA, storage and combined use on your own infrastructure.Install Kubernetes on Proxmox: k3s with three VMs
Install Kubernetes on Proxmox: Cloud-Init VMs, k3s with embedded etcd, API load balancer, networking, storage and acceptance step by step.Kubernetes on Proxmox
Kubernetes on Proxmox: when it fits, VM or LXC, k3s, Talos, RKE2, kubeadm, HA at two layers, storage, backup and upgrades.Install Talos Linux on Proxmox
Install Talos Linux on Proxmox: Image Factory with QEMU guest agent, three control planes with a VIP, talosctl bootstrap, CNI, CSI and upgrades.Automate Talos on Proxmox with OpenTofu
Talos on Proxmox with OpenTofu: VMs, machine configuration, bootstrap and kubeconfig as code, with provider examples and state handling.Kubernetes on Hetzner
Plan Kubernetes on Hetzner across cloud VMs, bare metal or Proxmox, including networking, storage, load balancing, GitOps, backup and operations.Kubernetes on OVHcloud
Plan Kubernetes on OVHcloud: managed service or own cluster, vRack, load balancing, storage, GitOps, backup and shared responsibility.European Kubernetes providers compared
Compare European Kubernetes providers: Hetzner, OVHcloud, IONOS, STACKIT, Open Telekom Cloud and Scaleway by architecture and operating model.k3s vs. RKE2 vs. Talos
k3s, RKE2 or Talos Linux for your self-hosted cluster? The comparison: datastore, hardening, operating model - and which distribution fits which case.Networking & access
Access Kubernetes privately with NetBird
Reach the Kubernetes API and ClusterIP services without public endpoints using NetBird Operator, routing peers, sidecars, policies and HA.Gateway API vs. Ingress
Gateway API or Ingress? The comparison: a role model instead of annotations, what Ingress cannot do, service mesh via GAMMA - and when each is the right choice.MetalLB vs. kube-vip
Kubernetes on bare metal has no load balancing. MetalLB or kube-vip? The comparison: service LB vs. control-plane VIP, L2 vs. BGP - and when to use which.Migrate from ingress-nginx to the Gateway API
ingress-nginx has been retired since March 2026 - no more security patches. The path to the Gateway API: ingress2gateway, annotations, zero-downtime cutover.Delivery & platform engineering
Migrate Docker Compose to Kubernetes with Kompose
Migrate Docker Compose to Kubernetes: use Kompose, review manifests, transfer storage and secrets, validate the application and plan rollback.Migrate from Helm 3 to Helm 4
Helm 3 is winding down (security ends 10 Feb 2027). Helm 4 manages existing releases with no migration step - but has breaking changes. The low-risk path.Storage, data & backup
Longhorn vs. Rook-Ceph
Longhorn or Rook-Ceph for persistent volumes in your cluster? The comparison: block vs. block/file/object, resource footprint, operations - and which fits when.Kubernetes backup: the four layers
A snapshot is not a backup. The four layers of a Kubernetes backup - etcd, resources, volumes and databases - with Velero and a tested restore.Operations, scaling & workloads
From one team
WZ-IT builds and runs Kubernetes in production for companies - design, build and operations from one team.
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WZ-IT's advice on our Azure migration was technically sound and completely non-binding right from the intro call - we took away a great deal.