KubeOne V1.12 Release: AWS Cluster Upgrade Testing

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KubeOne v1.12 Release: AWS Cluster Upgrade Testing

Hey everyone! This article dives into the testing phase for the upcoming KubeOne v1.12 release, specifically focusing on cluster upgrades using external Calico on AWS. This is a crucial step to ensure a smooth transition and stable performance for your Kubernetes clusters. We'll be covering various operating systems like Flatcar, RHEL, Rocky Linux, and Ubuntu, so let's get started!

Why is Cluster Upgrade Testing Important?

Before we get into the specifics, let's discuss why thorough testing of cluster upgrades is so important. Upgrading a Kubernetes cluster is a complex process involving numerous components and dependencies. A successful upgrade ensures your cluster benefits from the latest features, security patches, and performance improvements without introducing instability or downtime.

Comprehensive testing helps identify potential issues early on, allowing developers and operators to address them before they impact production environments. Think of it as a safety net, catching any snags before they become major headaches. This proactive approach saves time, resources, and, most importantly, prevents disruptions to your applications and services.

The goal of these tests is to validate that the upgrade process from previous KubeOne versions to v1.12 is seamless and doesn't introduce any regressions or compatibility issues. We want to make sure that your existing configurations and workloads continue to function as expected after the upgrade.

Key aspects that need to be considered during cluster upgrade testing include:

  • Compatibility: Ensuring that the new KubeOne version is compatible with the existing infrastructure, including the operating system, container runtime, and network plugins.
  • Functionality: Verifying that all core Kubernetes functionalities, such as deployments, services, networking, and storage, continue to work correctly after the upgrade.
  • Performance: Assessing the performance impact of the upgrade and identifying any potential bottlenecks or performance degradations.
  • Stability: Monitoring the cluster for stability issues, such as crashes, restarts, or resource leaks.

By conducting rigorous testing, we can confidently release KubeOne v1.12, knowing that it provides a stable and reliable platform for your Kubernetes deployments.

Testing Scope: Operating Systems and Upgrade Paths

For this KubeOne v1.12 release, we're focusing on testing cluster upgrades on AWS using Calico as the network plugin. We're covering a range of popular operating systems to ensure broad compatibility and a smooth experience for our users. Let's break down the specific OS distributions and upgrade paths we're tackling:

We're performing upgrades across several key operating systems. Each OS has its own nuances and configurations, so testing across these different environments is crucial to ensure a robust upgrade process. This multi-OS approach helps us identify any OS-specific issues that might arise during the upgrade. By meticulously testing on each of these platforms, we aim to deliver a KubeOne release that's truly versatile and reliable, regardless of your chosen OS.

  • Flatcar: This is a lightweight, container-optimized Linux distribution designed for running Kubernetes. We're testing upgrades on Flatcar to ensure compatibility with this popular choice for containerized workloads. Its immutable infrastructure makes it a great candidate for reliable and consistent upgrades. We are focusing on upgrades from v1.32 and v1.33 to v1.34.

  • RHEL (Red Hat Enterprise Linux): A widely used enterprise-grade Linux distribution known for its stability and security features. RHEL's robust ecosystem and enterprise support make it a key platform for many organizations running Kubernetes. We are testing upgrades from v1.32 and v1.33 to v1.34.

  • Rocky Linux: A community-driven, enterprise-grade Linux distribution that is binary-compatible with RHEL. Rocky Linux provides a stable and reliable platform for Kubernetes deployments. Its community focus ensures rapid updates and a strong support system. We are testing upgrades from v1.32 and v1.33 to v1.34.

  • Ubuntu: One of the most popular Linux distributions, known for its ease of use and extensive community support. Ubuntu is a versatile platform suitable for a wide range of workloads, including Kubernetes. Its large user base and comprehensive documentation make it an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced users. We are testing upgrades from v1.32 and v1.33 to v1.34.

We're specifically testing upgrades from the two most recent KubeOne releases, v1.32 and v1.33. This ensures that users upgrading from these versions will have a smooth experience. This approach allows us to focus on the most common upgrade paths and address any potential issues that might arise during the transition. Each of these paths will be meticulously tested to identify any potential roadblocks and ensure a seamless upgrade experience for our users. By targeting these specific upgrade paths, we can confidently say that the upgrade process from recent versions to v1.12 is well-tested and reliable.

Test Cases and Procedures

Now, let's dive into the specific test cases we're running to validate the KubeOne v1.12 release. These tests are designed to cover a wide range of scenarios and potential issues that might arise during a cluster upgrade. We're using a combination of automated tests and manual verification to ensure comprehensive coverage.

Each test case focuses on a specific aspect of the upgrade process, such as the upgrade of core Kubernetes components, the migration of configurations, and the functionality of network plugins. These tests are designed to simulate real-world upgrade scenarios and identify any potential issues before they impact production environments. By running these tests, we can ensure that the upgrade process is smooth and reliable.

Our test procedures are designed to be repeatable and consistent. We use a standardized set of steps for each test case, ensuring that the results are reliable and comparable. This rigorous approach allows us to identify any deviations from the expected behavior and address them promptly. We also document each step of the testing process, providing a clear audit trail of the tests performed and their results.

Here's a breakdown of the test cases being executed for each operating system:

Flatcar

  • /test pull-kubeone-e2e-aws-flatcar-stable-upgrade-cilium-containerd-external-from-v1.32-to-v1.33
    • This test upgrades a Flatcar cluster from KubeOne v1.32 to v1.33 using Cilium as the CNI, Containerd as the container runtime, and an external cloud provider. This scenario is crucial for users who are already running KubeOne on Flatcar and want to upgrade to the latest version. The test validates that the upgrade process is seamless and doesn't introduce any compatibility issues.
  • /test pull-kubeone-e2e-aws-flatcar-stable-upgrade-cilium-containerd-external-from-v1.33-to-v1.34
    • Similar to the previous test, this one upgrades a Flatcar cluster from KubeOne v1.33 to v1.34. This test ensures that the upgrade path from the immediate previous version is also reliable and stable. This provides a clear upgrade path for users who are already on v1.33.

RHEL

  • /test pull-kubeone-e2e-aws-rhel-stable-upgrade-cilium-containerd-external-from-v1.32-to-v1.33
    • This test focuses on upgrading RHEL clusters from KubeOne v1.32 to v1.33. RHEL is a popular choice for enterprise Kubernetes deployments, making this test case critical. The test ensures that the upgrade process is compatible with RHEL's specific configurations and requirements.
  • /test pull-kubeone-e2e-aws-rhel-stable-upgrade-cilium-containerd-external-from-v1.33-to-v1.34
    • This test case upgrades RHEL clusters from KubeOne v1.33 to v1.34. This test provides an essential validation step for users on the latest minor release. This ensures a smooth transition to the newest KubeOne version.

Rocky Linux

  • /test pull-kubeone-e2e-aws-rockylinux-stable-upgrade-cilium-containerd-external-from-v1.32-to-v1.33
    • This test validates the upgrade process for Rocky Linux clusters, moving from KubeOne v1.32 to v1.33. Rocky Linux's binary compatibility with RHEL makes this test particularly important for users migrating from or considering RHEL-like environments. The test verifies that the upgrade process is seamless and doesn't introduce any compatibility issues.
  • /test pull-kubeone-e2e-aws-rockylinux-stable-upgrade-cilium-containerd-external-from-v1.33-to-v1.34
    • This test upgrades Rocky Linux clusters from KubeOne v1.33 to v1.34. This test provides an additional layer of assurance for users on the most recent version. This helps ensure compatibility and stability in Rocky Linux environments.

Ubuntu

  • /test pull-kubeone-e2e-aws-default-stable-upgrade-cilium-containerd-external-from-v1.32-to-v1.33
    • This test case covers the upgrade of Ubuntu clusters from KubeOne v1.32 to v1.33. Ubuntu's wide adoption makes this test a crucial part of our validation process. The test ensures that the upgrade process is compatible with Ubuntu's default configurations and settings.
  • /test pull-kubeone-e2e-aws-default-stable-upgrade-cilium-containerd-external-from-v1.33-to-v1.34
    • This test upgrades Ubuntu clusters from KubeOne v1.33 to v1.34. This upgrade path is vital for users who want to stay current with the latest KubeOne features and improvements. The test provides a critical validation point for Ubuntu users.

These tests cover a broad spectrum of upgrade scenarios, ensuring that KubeOne v1.12 is ready for a wide range of environments. The results of these tests will inform our decision on when to release v1.12.

Expected Outcomes and Next Steps

So, what are we hoping to achieve with these tests? Our primary goal is to ensure a smooth and reliable upgrade experience for KubeOne users. We're looking for successful completion of all test cases, with no unexpected errors or regressions. This means that the upgrade process should complete without issues, and the resulting cluster should be fully functional and stable.

We'll be closely monitoring the test results and analyzing any failures or errors. If we encounter any issues, we'll investigate them thoroughly and implement the necessary fixes. This iterative process of testing, analysis, and remediation is crucial to ensuring the quality of the KubeOne v1.12 release. If any issues are identified, the development team will prioritize addressing them before the final release.

Once all tests have passed and we're confident in the stability and reliability of KubeOne v1.12, we'll proceed with the official release. We'll announce the release through our usual channels, including our website, blog, and social media. We'll also provide detailed release notes, including information on new features, bug fixes, and any known issues.

After the release, we'll continue to monitor user feedback and address any issues that may arise. We're committed to providing ongoing support and maintenance for KubeOne, ensuring that it remains a reliable and stable platform for your Kubernetes deployments. User feedback is invaluable in this process, helping us to continuously improve KubeOne.

Stay tuned for updates on the KubeOne v1.12 release! We're excited about the new features and improvements it brings, and we're committed to delivering a high-quality release that you can rely on. Thanks for following along with our testing process!