What is Kubernetes Worker?

A Kubernetes worker a.k.a a worker node, is a key component in a Kubernetes cluster that is responsible for running containerized applications. The primary roles and components of a Kubernetes worker node are given below:

Node - The worker node is a physical or virtual machine where Kubernetes schedules and runs your application workloads. Each node in the Kubernetes cluster has the services necessary to run pods, which are the smallest deployable units of computing that can be created and managed in Kubernetes.

Kubelet - This is an agent that runs on each worker node and ensures that containers are running in a pod. The Kubelet takes a set of PodSpecs that are provided (usually by the master node) and ensures that the containers described in those PodSpecs are running and healthy.

Container Runtime - This is the software that is responsible for running containers. Kubernetes supports several container runtimes, including Docker, containerd, and CRI-O.

Kube-proxy - This is a network proxy that runs on each worker node and maintains network rules on the nodes. These network rules allow network communication to your Pods from network sessions inside or outside of your cluster.

Why monitor Kubernetes Worker?

Monitoring Kubernetes workers is essential for ensuring optimal performance, reliability, and resource management. It helps detect issues like resource contention, pod failures, and network bottlenecks before they escalate into significant problems. By tracking metrics such as CPU, memory usage, and pod status, teams can make informed decisions on scaling, troubleshooting, and capacity planning. Additionally, monitoring supports compliance and security by identifying unauthorized changes or anomalies. Proactive monitoring enhances overall system health, improves user experience, and enables faster recovery from failures, making it a critical component of a robust Kubernetes environment.

eG Enterprise provides a specialized monitoring model for monitoring Kubernetes worker.