VPC Configuration

Step 1: Select a VPC for Your Node Groups

Choosing a Virtual Private Cloud (VPC)

When setting up your Amazon EKS (Elastic Kubernetes Service) cluster, your initial task is to select a Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) for your node groups. You have two main choices:

• Generate a New VPC for this Cluster: This option lets you create a VPC specifically for your EKS cluster. This approach is advantageous for isolating resources and optimizing network configurations for your workload.

• Use an Existing VPC: Choose this option if you already have a VPC established. It is beneficial for leveraging existing network setups, security groups, and subnets without the need to create a new VPC.

Specifying Subnets

If you decide to use an existing VPC, you must specify the related subnets. Ensure to select at least two subnet IDs, which is crucial for your EKS cluster to distribute nodes across multiple Availability Zones (AZs), enhancing availability and fault tolerance.

Step 2: Configure Node Group Settings

Node Group Configuration

Configuring your node groups is essential for managing resources in your EKS cluster. Consider these key settings:

• Min Nodes: Set the minimum number of nodes that should always run in your node group (e.g., 1). This ensures at least one node is available to handle workloads.

• Desired Nodes: Define the target number of nodes you want to maintain under normal conditions (e.g., 3).

• Max Nodes: Set a cap on the maximum number of nodes (e.g., 5) to prevent excessive resource use and costs.

Instance Configuration

Configure instance settings for your node groups with these considerations:

• Instance Family: Choose an instance category based on your workload, such as t3a or m5, each with different performance and pricing.

• Instance Type: Select a specific type within the family (e.g., t3a.large, c5.xlarge) affecting CPU, memory, and network performance.

• Capacity Type:

  • ON_DEMAND: Pay per hour without long-term commitments for flexibility, though it may be more expensive.

  • SPOT: Purchase unused capacity at potentially lower prices, with the risk of interruption if AWS reclaims capacity.

Step 3: Add More Node Groups

You can clone the existing node group configuration to create a similar additional node group. Alternatively, you can create a new node group and modify its settings as needed. Use the provided configuration options to customize each node group.

Important Considerations

When deploying your EKS cluster, multiple node groups will be created based on your configurations. It's crucial to choose appropriate VPCs and subnets to ensure proper network configuration and resource allocation. Proper planning in this step helps avoid issues related to connectivity, security, and resource management within your Kubernetes environment.

By carefully configuring these settings, you can optimize performance, manage costs effectively, and ensure high availability for your applications running on Amazon EKS.