Tutorials

Tutorials

• Step-by-step guide to working with Crossplane and Kubernetes

  Crossplane is built to extend Kubernetes resources to and from external sources like databases, the cloud or the edge. Try out the tool, and learn its processes with this tutorial.  Continue Reading

• Follow this tutorial to get started with Azure Bicep

  Azure Bicep enables IT ops teams working with IaC to create and deploy Azure resources in a more streamlined manner. Follow this tutorial to learn how.  Continue Reading

• Use MicroK8s with Raspberry Pi in this tutorial

  Kubernetes is important to tackle, but its resource requirements can balloon dramatically. MicroK8s lets individuals experiment with the platform -- try it on Raspberry Pi 4.  Continue Reading

• How to set up a K3s cluster

  Admins have choices when it comes to selecting a Kubernetes distribution. One such option is K3s, which can be used for development or production. Here's how to get started.  Continue Reading

• Use Dapr on Kubernetes to build microservices in production

  Dapr is an application runtime that targets cloud-native application development. Developers can use it to streamline their workflows. Here's how.  Continue Reading

• How to secure passwords with PowerShell

  Storing passwords in plain text is bad, but what methods are good? Try one of these approaches, such as secure strings or the SecretManagement module, to encrypt passwords.  Continue Reading

• How to secure Kubernetes clusters in 7 steps

  Kubernetes security is critical for an enterprise's welfare. To protect Kubernetes clusters, create a plan to implement security protocols and control access.  Continue Reading

• How to use Pulumi Automation API, with examples

  In this tutorial, integrate Pulumi's Automation API into existing projects -- and remove the need for CLI to perform infrastructure lifecycle changes in a CI/CD pipeline.  Continue Reading

• Use Kubernetes and Terraform together for cluster management

  Kubernetes and Terraform provide many container cluster management benefits -- but combining the two makes them even stronger. In this tutorial, discover how to use them together.  Continue Reading

• How to use Git to save PowerShell scripts

  Git eases scripting by pushing developers into better habits -- especially around change documentation. Get familiar with the technology and how to use it with PowerShell.  Continue Reading

• How to install and deploy Quay on Red Hat OpenShift

  Quay enables Red Hat OpenShift users to store and manage container images -- with added advantages. Follow this tutorial to install and deploy the container registry.  Continue Reading

• Create an SSH key with GitHub for network access

  SSH keys are a network security method that verifies the identity of the user or application seeking access to a system or other application. Create and store yours in GitHub.  Continue Reading

• How to build a Kubernetes operator

  Operators unleash the full power of developing complicated offerings or abstractions on Kubernetes. And, while they have a lot of potential, there is a steep learning curve.  Continue Reading

• Try this AWS Proton tutorial to build templates quickly

  AWS Proton enables IT admins to create templates for environments and the services that live in them. Follow this tutorial and learn to do both.  Continue Reading

• Connect data with PowerShell's Join-Object module

  In PowerShell, connect different data sources and sets with the community module Join-Object. Examine different examples and use cases to relate your data.  Continue Reading

• An eBPF tutorial to try out the bpftrace framework

  You know what eBPF is, but can you run it? This article offers a brief tutorial to demonstrate the bpftrace framework and how to install a simple eBPF program.  Continue Reading

• How to use Azure Arc-enabled Kubernetes, step by step

  As the use of the cloud expands and becomes more complex, Azure Arc offers a way to manage resources. Learn how to set it up for Kubernetes with this tutorial.  Continue Reading

• Try PSScriptAnalyzer to check PowerShell code best practices

  Meeting best practices can be a tough feat. Thankfully, PowerShell Script Analyzer checks the code for you. Follow these examples to learn how it works and get started.  Continue Reading

• How to auto scale Kubernetes pods for microservices

  In Kubernetes, autoscaling prevents over provisioning resources for microservices running in a cluster. Follow this tutorial to set up horizontal and vertical scaling.  Continue Reading

• Combine PowerShell and Docker to simplify testing across OSes

  Run PowerShell scripts in Docker containers to manage multiple environments from the same system. Follow this tutorial to see how to test Linux environments with a Windows host OS.  Continue Reading

• Be selective with Kubernetes RBAC permissions

  Kubernetes RBAC has some vital best practices that save IT teams frustration and consternation. This brief tutorial takes you through new role creation to permissions management.  Continue Reading

• Kubernetes basics: A step-by-step implementation tutorial

  This Kubernetes implementation example demonstrates how to create a single-node cluster on Windows 10 to get a containerized application up and running.  Continue Reading

• Try out this GitOps tutorial with Flux and Kubernetes

  Learn how to implement GitOps with Kubernetes workloads. See the benefits of this approach and follow this Flux tutorial to get started.  Continue Reading

• 2 ways to craft a server consolidation project plan

  Server consolidation enables admins to boost server utilization and decrease power consumption, which can also reduce costs and improve performance.  Continue Reading

• Use Docker and Alpine Linux to build lightweight containers

  Alpine Linux won't always be the right OS choice for IT teams, but it's an option worth consideration when lightweight container images are the goal.  Continue Reading

• Build and deploy a microservice with Kubernetes

  Ready to run microservices in production? Follow along to create a containerized microservice and deploy it on Kubernetes in this step-by-step tutorial.  Continue Reading

• Kubernetes performance testing tutorial: Load test a cluster

  Follow along step by step to run Kubernetes performance tests with Metrics Server and Horizontal Pod Autoscaler. This tutorial works for cloud-, data center- or locally hosted clusters.  Continue Reading

• Use Pulumi and Azure DevOps to deploy infrastructure as code

  Follow this tutorial for an overview of Pulumi, an IaC tool, within the Azure DevOps toolchain, and how to use them together to define, build, test and deploy infrastructure.  Continue Reading

• Follow this Grafana Loki tutorial to query IT log data

  IT pros evaluating log data should try tools like Grafana Loki. Follow this tutorial to see how it works firsthand, exploring LogCLI and LogQL.  Continue Reading

• A Graylog tutorial to centrally manage IT logs

  Graylog enables IT admins to manage and analyze log data from multiple sources. Use this tutorial to set up the tool and learn its primary features, such as pipelines and extractors.  Continue Reading

• How to use Clair to scan Docker images

  Container vulnerabilities open the door to security issues and cascading failures across an IT environment. Use this Clair tutorial to scan for compromised Docker container images.  Continue Reading

• How to set up Prometheus for Kubernetes monitoring

  Prometheus enables IT teams to automate and quickly configure infrastructure monitoring with open source tools natively in Kubernetes. Follow this tutorial to get started.  Continue Reading

• A Terraform Registry tutorial to build and share modules

  Before IT teams share Terraform modules through the tool's public registry, they must familiarize themselves with these prerequisites and technical steps.  Continue Reading

• A Kubernetes namespaces tutorial to manage cluster resources

  Namespaces in Kubernetes serve several purposes -- from allowing teams to share a single cluster to enforcing resource quotas. Use this tutorial to get started with this important Kubernetes feature.  Continue Reading

• Create an AKS cluster with this Ansible and Kubernetes tutorial

  IT admins familiar with Ansible can use the configuration management tool, alongside Azure Cloud Shell, to spin up a Kubernetes cluster in AKS.  Continue Reading

• Use this Nagios monitoring tutorial for proactive IT monitoring

  Learn how to install and run Nagios to monitor your organization's IT assets. Follow these steps so you're prepared to catch problems before they get out of hand.  Continue Reading

• Visual Studio Code vs. the native console for PowerShell debugging

  Unsure whether to debug a PowerShell script in Visual Studio Code or the PowerShell console? Follow this tutorial to make the decision a little easier.  Continue Reading

• Best practices for Hyper-V template creation

  Admins can streamline template creation through Hyper-V SCVMM with a few best practices, such as evaluating whether a VM is the right fit for template creation.  Continue Reading

• Walk through common use cases for built-in Terraform functions

  Follow along with this Terraform tutorial to learn and apply various types of built-in functions -- including Numeric, String, and Date and Time -- within the IaC tool.  Continue Reading

• Use this Kubernetes and Helm tutorial to simplify app deployments

  Helm charts are a helpful tool to deploy applications onto Kubernetes clusters. Follow this tutorial, which also features Windows and Chocolatey, to get started with the package manager.  Continue Reading

• Build a Graphite dashboard for data analysis, visualization

  Data visualization is a powerful capability for IT admins and business managers alike. In this tutorial, learn how to create charts and dashboards in Graphite, an open source monitoring tool.  Continue Reading

• How to create PowerShell modules with a Plaster template

  Follow along this tutorial to create templates in Plaster, an open source tool, and accelerate the development of PowerShell modules.  Continue Reading

• Follow this Terraform and AWS tutorial to create a VPC

  As an infrastructure-as-code tool, Terraform simplifies and streamlines resource deployments. Follow along with this example, which features Amazon VPCs, to get started.  Continue Reading

• Use this Mesos and Marathon tutorial to try resource abstraction

  Marathon, the Mesos-based tool, eases large-scale container orchestration. Before you begin deployments, set up Zookeeper and Mesos with Marathon, and try a simple task.  Continue Reading

• Build a PowerShell performance monitoring script step by step

  Admins familiar with PowerShell can bypass a third-party server monitoring tool and instead write scripts to track key performance metrics. Learn how with this tutorial.  Continue Reading

• Perform this infrastructure as code tutorial with Pulumi and AWS

  Learn the basics of an infrastructure as code deployment with this tutorial, which features the open source tool Pulumi, along with Python and AWS.  Continue Reading

• Build a successful Apache Mesos installation on Linux servers

  As Apache Mesos gains traction for container orchestration, admins should try it out and evaluate its capabilities. Use this tutorial to set up the necessary software and avoid the pitfalls that plague the process.  Continue Reading

• Manage Elasticsearch documents with indices and shards

  Before they can put the search capabilities of Elasticsearch to use for their organization, admins need to properly organize and manage documents via indices, shards, replicas and mapping.  Continue Reading

• Use Elasticsearch shard allocation to distribute workload demand

  Learn how to use Elasticsearch shards to distribute data storage and retrieval across physical resources, as workload demands grow.  Continue Reading

• Automate Windows configurations with Boxstarter and Chocolatey

  Follow this Boxstarter tutorial to install the open source tool, and use it alongside PowerShell, Chocolatey and GitHub gists for streamlined and repeatable Windows configurations.  Continue Reading

• Create Vagrant boxes with Packer for rapid IT environment builds

  Vagrant boxes enable IT admins to test infrastructure updates in production-identical QA environments. Follow this Vagrant tutorial to build a machine and export it to a Vagrant box.  Continue Reading

• How to update configurations via the Salt state file

  Salt users must grasp the concepts around state files for configuration changes and updates. Follow along with this tutorial, which also features Cassandra, to get started.  Continue Reading

• Control Docker containers with the Nginx load balancer

  Docker is an efficient container platform, but it isn't perfect. Follow this Nginx load balancer tutorial to provide your container environment with high availability across multiple nodes.  Continue Reading

• Manage Salt minions in large environments in symphony

  IT organizations must create, enforce and update configurations in a standardized manner. Learn how to direct Salt minions to install software without repetitive manual work.  Continue Reading

• Try this Chocolatey tutorial to pick up Vagrant provisioning for Windows

  To install a Linux-based tool on a non-Linux machine, at least one intermediary tool is necessary. On Windows, use the Chocolatey package manager for a smooth process.  Continue Reading

• Boost DevOps cred with script management in Git version control

  DevOps teams use configuration management to automate patches and provisioning. They use version control to increase collaboration and change control. Learn how to combine the two.  Continue Reading

• Get started with your first Docker container build

  Many admins have a purely theoretical understanding of containers -- despite the technology's seeming ubiquity. This tutorial offers container newbies the opportunity to get hands-on.  Continue Reading

• Compare Go vs. Python for infrastructure programming

  Both code languages get the infrastructure-as-code job done, but each from a different angle. This comparison tutorial puts their similarities and differences center stage.  Continue Reading

• Adopt the Git version control system for configuration as code

  Configuration files define infrastructure as code, which enables IT admins to control updates and enforce standardization. Start using a version control system to codify configurations with just a handful of commands.  Continue Reading

• Create and configure a shielded VM in Hyper-V

  In just a few easy steps, including installing a Host Guardian Service server and creating certificates, you can shield a Hyper-V VM to protect it against access or tampering.  Continue Reading

• Write cloud-config automation scripts into the configuration file

  Bypass the need for excess infrastructure, and put off the automation languages seminar -- you need to configure the cloud now. Fortunately, you can still do that.  Continue Reading

• Create a shielded VM template in SCVMM in four easy steps

  SCVMM templates simplify the process of deploying shielded VMs. Prepare the disk to use shielded VM technology before creating the template.  Continue Reading

• Follow a Kubernetes and Go tutorial in your home lab

  Learn how to use the Kubernetes Go client, dep for dependency management and other capabilities for Kubernetes and Go in this home lab exercise on Minikube.  Continue Reading

• Perform this Octopus Deploy tutorial in under 60 minutes

  Octopus Deploy extends a variety of agents called Tentacles that manage a wide swath of tasks. In just one hour, create an Octopus Deploy instance in a simple home lab.  Continue Reading

• These Go code examples showcase its main features

  Google's golang uses many of the same functions as older code languages, such as key-value pairs and compiling, but is better fitted to modern systems development requirements.  Continue Reading

• Set up BSD jails as a form of virtualization

  Using the ezjail tool, you can easily create and install a BSD jail. Execute these simple commands to get started and take advantage of key ezjail features.  Continue Reading

• Resolve issues between Python and Linux with virtualenv

  While Linux OSes favor Python 2, Python 3 is the widely preferred version. Install virtualenv to isolate Python 2 and 3 and prevent IT issues.  Continue Reading

• Get started with this Nutanix Community Edition installation guide

  Install Nutanix Community Edition to test its features in your infrastructure for free. Learn about the download, installation, configuration and VM creation processes.  Continue Reading

• Try these Salt commands to master the config management tool

  The command line is an IT administrator's best friend. Salt users should try these commands to understand how the configuration management tool works.  Continue Reading

• Follow this Minikube tutorial to brew up a Kubernetes home lab

  Set up a Minikube home lab, and begin exploring Kubernetes container orchestration before the coffee in your mug turns cold.  Continue Reading

• Learn Kubernetes infrastructure in a personal lab

  Live servers are not the place to build up Kubernetes skills. Instead, set up a Kubernetes cluster, and start experimenting with it on a laptop in a lab.  Continue Reading

• Assess Salt configuration management's capabilities and limitations

  Salt's benefits for IT operations include fast configuration and flexible, responsive functioning. Get a handle on the basics of Salt, then install it to explore the tool's capabilities.  Continue Reading

• Create a self-signed certificate to control PowerShell scripts

  Signing code ensures that every change is official and approved. This helps to prevent errors and security breaches. Write a PowerShell self-signed certificate for code testing.  Continue Reading

• Follow a PXE boot tutorial to increase OS configuration automation

  PXE boot servers are simple to set up and can aid in IT operations' goals toward high-level efficiency and automation. This tutorial runs through setup and optimal settings.  Continue Reading

• A Red Hat Satellite tutorial to install an update server

  With Red Hat Satellite, IT ops can deploy an update server to simplify patching. Follow this step-by-step tutorial to install the server, attach subscriptions and devise a sync plan.  Continue Reading

• PowerShell scripts enable automated cloud deployments

  This step-by-step tutorial walks through the process to automate an Azure deployment; start with launching the virtual server, and finish with the deletion process.  Continue Reading

• Pick up infrastructure as code tools and techniques

  Walk through an infrastructure as code template, using AWS CloudFormation as an example, to better understand defining and connecting resources.  Continue Reading