Kubernetes Tutorial Chapter 1: Local Cluster Setup with Docker Desktop on Windows

Introduction

This is the first chapter in a series of tutorials on Kubernetes (K8s). This series will provide practical guidance on Kubernetes deployment and management, beginning with local development environments and progressing to more advanced configurations.

Prerequisites

• Windows 10 64-bit: Pro, Enterprise, or Education (Build 16299 or later)
• 4 GB RAM minimum (8 GB recommended)
• BIOS-level hardware virtualization support enabled
• 40 GB minimum free disk space

Docker Desktop Installation

1. Download and Install Docker Desktop

Kubernetes Tutorial Chapter 2: GitOps with ArgoCD

Introduction

In the previous chapter, we set up a local Kubernetes cluster using Docker Desktop and deployed a simple React application using traditional imperative commands. While this approach works for learning and small-scale deployments, it doesn’t scale well for production environments where multiple team members need to collaborate on deployments, track changes, and maintain consistency across environments.

This is where GitOps comes in - a modern approach to managing Kubernetes deployments that leverages Git as the single source of truth for declarative infrastructure and applications.

Kubernetes Tutorial: Troubleshooting Guide

This guide provides solutions to common issues you might encounter when setting up and working with a local Kubernetes cluster on Docker Desktop.

Docker Desktop Startup Issues

Problem: Docker Desktop fails to start

Possible causes and solutions:

1. Virtualization not enabled in BIOS

   • Restart your computer and enter BIOS settings (usually by pressing F2, F10, or Del during startup)
   • Look for Virtualization Technology, VT-x, AMD-V, or similar options
   • Enable these settings, save changes, and restart

2. Hyper-V or WSL 2 configuration issues