Kubernetes has revolutionized the way we manage containerized applications at scale, offering powerful orchestration features for deploying, scaling, and managing applications. However, managing Kubernetes resources directly can be cumbersome, especially when you're dealing with a large number of resources. That's where Helm comes in. Helm is a package manager for Kubernetes that simplifies the deployment and management of applications by providing a consistent, repeatable way to configure and install Kubernetes resources. Whether you're deploying a simple application or a complex system with multiple microservices, Helm helps streamline the process. ## What is Helm? <img src={require('./img/7647751.jpg').default} alt="Two DevOps engineers exploring what is Helm in Kubernetes and its benefits" width="500" height="450"/> <br/> Helm is essentially Kubernetes’ answer to package managers like `apt` or `yum`. It allows users to define, install, and upgrade complex Kubernetes applications using a tool called **Helm Charts**. A Helm Chart is a collection of pre-configured Kubernetes resources—like Deployments, Services, ConfigMaps, and Persistent Volumes—that can be reused and shared. A typical Helm chart structure: ```plaintext mychart/ Chart.yaml # Metadata about the chart values.yaml # Default configuration values for the chart charts/ # Dependent charts templates/ # Kubernetes manifest templates ``` ## Why Use Helm? * **Reusability**: Reuse and share Helm charts across environments. * **Versioning**: Manage application versions with ease. * **Configuration Management**: Pass dynamic values into charts. * **Upgrade and Rollback**: Simplify application updates and rollbacks. Learn how to structure, define, and configure Helm charts from [Helm Official Documentation](https://helm.sh/docs/) ## Installing Helm Charts in a Specific Namespace <img src={require('./img/2811143.jpg').default} alt="Illustration of Helm chart installation in a specific Kubernetes namespace" width="500" height="450"/> <br/> Namespaces divide cluster resources between multiple users or apps. By default, Helm installs to the `default` namespace, but you can (and should) specify your own. ### Step 1: Create a Namespace ```bash kubectl create namespace nife4321 ``` ### Step 2: Install Helm Chart into the Namespace ```bash helm install my-release ./nife-platform --namespace nife4321 ``` ### Step 3: Upgrade a Release in the Same Namespace ```bash helm upgrade my-release ./nife-platform --namespace nife4321 ``` ### Step 4: Use `values.yaml` to Define Namespace ```yaml namespace: nife4321 ``` In the template: ```yaml metadata: namespace: {{ .Values.namespace }} ``` Deep dive into [Kubernetes namespaces](https://kubernetes.io/docs/concepts/overview/working-with-objects/namespaces/) and how they help you organize and control your cluster environments efficiently. ## Best Practices for Helm in Kubernetes <img src={require('./img/10181739.jpg').default} alt="Visual guide to Helm best practices in Kubernetes for efficient chart deployment." width="500" height="450"/> <br/> ### Version Your Helm Charts Version control allows stable rollbacks and consistent deployments. ### Use Helm Repositories Add repos to access community-maintained charts: ```bash helm repo add prometheus-community https://prometheus-community.github.io/helm-charts helm repo update ``` Install charts into a namespace: ```bash helm install prometheus prometheus-community/kube-prometheus-stack --namespace monitoring ``` ### Use `values.yaml` for Dynamic Config Avoid hardcoding values in templates—use `values.yaml` for overrides like: ```yaml image: repository: nginx tag: stable resources: requests: cpu: 100m memory: 128Mi ``` Discover how to add, update, and manage repositories to find community-maintained Helm charts for popular applications on [Helm Repo Docs](https://helm.sh/docs/helm/helm_repo_add/) ### Integrate Helm into CI/CD Pipelines Use Helm with GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, or Jenkins to automate deployment pipelines. ## Conclusion Helm is a powerful tool that simplifies Kubernetes deployments by packaging resources and offering an easier way to install, manage, and upgrade applications. By utilizing Helm with namespaces, you can ensure that your applications are logically separated—even in large clusters. Whether you're managing complex microservices or deploying simple applications, Helm offers flexibility and consistency. For advanced use-cases like multi-chart deployments or continuous delivery, Helm fits right in. By integrating Helm into your workflow, you make Kubernetes more manageable, scalable, and developer-friendly. To simplify this, platforms like [Nife.io](https://nife.io/) help you manage and secure your infrastructure better. You can easily add [AWS EKS clusters](https://nife.io/solutions/Add%20AWS%20EKS%20Clusters) or even onboard [standalone clusters](https://nife.io/solutions/Add%20for%20Standalone%20Clusters) with built-in observability and recovery support.
