HELM Installation on Kubernetes

What is HELM?

"Kubernetes Helm is an open-source project that simplifies the deployment and management of applications on Kubernetes clusters. It allows you to define, package, and distribute Kubernetes applications easily."

Helm introduces the concept of "charts" which are packages containing pre-configured Kubernetes resources, along with templates to customize those resources during deployment.

What are Helm charts?

• Helm charts are packages used by Kubernetes Helm, the package manager for Kubernetes applications.

• A Helm chart is a collection of files that describe a set of Kubernetes resources and configurations necessary to run an application on a Kubernetes cluster.

• It encapsulates all the information needed to deploy, upgrade, and manage the application in a consistent and repeatable manner.

  Here are the key components and characteristics of Helm charts:

  1. Kubernetes Resources: A Helm chart contains Kubernetes manifest files defining the resources needed to run an application, such as deployments, services, pods, config maps, secrets, etc.

  2. Templates: Helm uses the Go template language to define dynamic and customizable parts of the Kubernetes manifest files. These templates allow you to parameterize configurations, making the chart adaptable to different environments or user requirements.

  3. Values: Helm charts include a values file that allows users to override default configuration values defined in the chart's templates. Users can customize these values during the installation to tailor the chart to their specific needs

  4. Dependencies: Helm charts can have dependencies on other charts, allowing for the creation of complex applications composed of multiple microservices. Helm automatically manages the installation and upgrades of these dependencies.

  5. Versioning: Helm charts can be versioned, enabling users to specify the exact version of the chart they want to deploy. This ensures consistency and reproducibility across different environments.

  6. Repository Packaging: Once a chart is created, it can be packaged into a distributable archive (a .tgz file). These packaged charts can be shared and distributed through Helm repositories.

Helm installation on Kubernetes

Prerequisites

• A system running Ubuntu, Redhat, aws linux

• Access to a command line/terminal

• Kubernetes cluster installed and configured

Installing Helm on Ubuntu, Redhat, aws Linux To install Helm

STEP 1: Use wget to download the latest version of Helm. The download links for all supported architectures are available on the official website. For example, if your system uses the x64 architecture, type the following in the terminal to download the latest version desired version 3.12.3 version of Helm

if you are not installed wget package use this command

yum install wget -y         #redhat, CentOS, aws linux

apt-get install wget -y     #Ubuntu

wget https://get.helm.sh/helm-v3.12.2-linux-amd64.tar.gz

STEP 2: Next, unpack the Helm file using the Linux tar command

tar xvf helm-v3.12.2-linux-amd64.tar.gz

STEP 3: Move the linux-amd64/helm file to the /usr/local/bin directory

sudo mv linux-amd64/helm /usr/local/bin

STEP 4: Remove the downloaded file using the following command

rm helm-v312.2-linux-amd64.tar.gz

STEP 5: Remove the linux-amd64 directory to clean up space by running

rm -rf linux-amd64

STEP 6: Finally, verify you have successfully installed Helm by checking the version

helm

Conclusion:

Helm charts make it easy to package and share applications with the Kubernetes community. They simplify the deployment process by providing a standardized way to define, install, upgrade, and uninstall Kubernetes applications. Instead of manually creating and managing Kubernetes resources, users can simply use Helm to install a chart and let it handle the necessary configurations.

To use a Helm chart, you need to have Helm installed on your local machine or within your deployment pipeline. You can then use the Helm CLI to interact with charts, repositories, and releases, making it straightforward to manage your Kubernetes applications in a more organized and automated manner.