Hey everyone,
We're currently using Docker CE on our Windows 2019 servers and, after some discussions, our DevOps team decided we need to transition from Docker Swarm to Kubernetes. I'm part of the Infrastructure team tasked with making this shift.
I'm exploring the best way to implement Kubernetes in our setup. For a strictly on-prem solution, I've been looking into Mirantis Container Runtime as a clean way to deploy. However, we also want to be able to connect to Azure eventually for container management. This would probably be a phase 2 goal, but I'm curious if starting with Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) is necessary right away to accommodate this future need.
Is there anyone else here who has experience running Kubernetes and Docker in a fully Windows environment? I'd appreciate any insights or advice you might have!
Thanks!
3 Answers
I get where you’re coming from, but running Kubernetes on Windows can be tricky. Sometimes, people don’t take it seriously because it’s not the norm. Have you considered starting with AKS? If you have Azure access, it can really simplify your setup with features like automated management and easier manifest creation. It could save you a lot of headaches in the long run!
I’ve experimented with Rancher Desktop in a Windows environment, and it worked okay for me. Just bear in mind that using Kubernetes in a Windows context is still a bit unconventional, so be prepared for some challenges.
We’re actually using kubespray on Ubuntu servers and I’d recommend sticking to that rather than trying to make it work on Windows. It’s not the usual approach for deploying Kubernetes, and you’d probably face a lot of issues down the line.
I get that, but right now, I have to stick with our on-prem Docker servers for the initial rollout as Azure isn’t approved yet.