Cloud Native Compass

Mauro Morales and Dimitris Karakasilis explain how Kairos turns any Linux distribution into an immutable, A/B-upgradeable OS shipped as an OCI image, and where it fits alongside bootc and other immutable system efforts.

Flatcar maintainers Thilo, Mathieu, and Chewy explain the immutable A/B partition layout, Ignition provisioning, systemd-sysext for Kubernetes, LUKS/TPM disk encryption, and how Nebraska coordinates monthly fleet updates without SSH.

Flatcar Linux: A Modern OS for the Always-On Infrastructure
In this episode, we dive deep into Flatcar Linux, an immutable Linux distribution designed for always-on infrastructures. The discussion covers the architecture and features of Flatcar, including its self-updating capabilities and minimal attack surface. We explore the use of Ignition for provisioning, the role of Systemd and its extensions, and the detailed update process via an update server. The Flatcar maintainers also highlight the benefits of full-disk encryption, node-level metrics, and operational insights available through tools like Nebraska and Node exporter. Guest speakers include Flatcar maintainers and engineers from Microsoft, who share their experiences and insights on managing and maintaining Flatcar at scale.
Creators & Guests

David Flanagan - Host

:thilo: - Guest

Mathieu Tortuyaux - Guest

James Le Cuirot - Guest

(00:00) - Introduction

(01:59) - Guest Introductions

(03:10) - What is Flatcar?

(12:30) - Kernel modules and Flatcar

(17:41) - Getting started with Flatcar

(21:27) - Encryption with Flatcar

(29:40) - Kubernetes Upgrades with Flatcar

(35:14) - Flatcar k8s node upgrades

(38:08) - Flatcar Metrics

(40:42) - Operating at scale

(44:25) - Recap

(45:07) - Quick-fire questions

Evelyn Osman joins David and Laura to defend AWK and Bash, argue platform engineering must start by asking "why", and pick apart whether every workload really belongs on Kubernetes. Also covers decoupling CI from CD.

Evolving Platform Engineering & The Rise and Fall of Kubernetes with Evelyn Osman.
In today's episode of Cloud Native Compass, we dive deep into the world of platform engineering and Kubernetes. Our guest, Evelyn Osmond, head of platform at a Munich-based energy trade startup, shares her extensive experience and insights on building and maintaining platforms. We discuss the future of scripting, the challenges of release management, and the importance of continually asking 'why' in both technical and business contexts. Join us as we explore the benefits and potential pitfalls of Kubernetes, the necessity of understanding the 'why' behind our choices, and the evolving landscape of cloud-native technologies. Whether you're a junior developer or a seasoned engineer, there's something here for everyone.
Click here to watch a video of this episode.

(00:00) - Introduction and Overview

(01:02) - Guest Introduction: Evelyn Osmond

(03:26) - Evelyn's Background in Tech

(05:08) - The Evolution of Scripting and Platforms

(13:53) - The Importance of Asking 'Why'

(19:14) - Engineering Principles and Practices

(22:49) - Debating Code Generation and Templating

(23:14) - Understanding Developer Motivations

(24:05) - The Importance of Questioning Requirements

(30:02) - Challenges with Kubernetes Adoption

(30:52) - Evaluating Kubernetes for Different Use Cases

(35:37) - The Future of Kubernetes and Cloud Native Solutions

(41:59) - Concluding Thoughts and Farewell

Creators & Guests

Laura Santamaria - Host

David Flanagan - Host

Evelyn Osman - Guest