Introduction:

In this introductory episode, Jérôme Petazzoni walks through the critical steps of provisioning a Kubernetes cluster tailored for running databases like PostgreSQL. Leveraging his extensive experience, Jérôme demonstrates practical tools and techniques to establish a scalable, cost-efficient database infrastructure while laying the groundwork for future optimizations covered in this series.

• Provisioning Kubernetes Clusters: A step-by-step guide to creating a reliable cluster using Linode.

• Setting Up PostgreSQL with CNPG: Deploying production-ready PostgreSQL clusters with built-in replication and backups.

• Balancing Cost and Control: Techniques for reducing hosting expenses without compromising performance.

Jérôme begins by provisioning a Kubernetes cluster on Linode, showcasing its speed and affordability for setting up reliable environments. He walks through configuring the cluster with essential components like ZFSPV for efficient storage and Rancher Local Path for persistent volumes. The episode also introduces CNPG (CloudNativePG), a powerful PostgreSQL operator that simplifies deploying highly available, production-grade PostgreSQL clusters on Kubernetes. Jérôme demonstrates how to set up a database cluster with primary and replica nodes in just a few steps, highlighting how this approach combines simplicity and flexibility.

As the episode progresses, Jérôme shares a compelling customer story, illustrating how adopting Kubernetes and in-house database solutions can dramatically reduce hosting costs compared to managed services. He emphasizes the trade-offs between “build vs. buy” decisions, particularly for startups and small teams, where cost savings can have a significant impact. By the end of the episode, you’ll have the skills to provision and configure your own Kubernetes cluster, laying the foundation for advanced database optimizations in upcoming episodes. This is an essential starting point for anyone looking to run scalable databases on Kubernetes while maintaining tight control over infrastructure costs.

Things you will learn in this video:

• Efficient Kubernetes Cluster Provisioning: Deploy and configure clusters for database workloads.

• Simplifying PostgreSQL Management: Use CNPG to automate replication and backup processes.

• Cost Optimization Strategies: Build budget-friendly infrastructure without sacrificing scalability or performance.

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