Cost optimization in Kubernetes - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is the main goal of cost optimization in Kubernetes?

To reduce cloud and infrastructure expenses by efficiently using resources like CPU, memory, and storage while maintaining application performance.

beginner

How do resource requests and limits help in cost optimization?

They define the minimum and maximum CPU and memory a container can use, preventing over-provisioning and resource waste.

intermediate

What is the role of the Kubernetes Horizontal Pod Autoscaler (HPA) in cost optimization?

HPA automatically adjusts the number of pod replicas based on CPU or custom metrics, ensuring you only use the resources needed.

intermediate

Why is using Spot Instances or Preemptible VMs beneficial for Kubernetes cost optimization?

They offer cheaper compute capacity but can be interrupted, so they are good for fault-tolerant workloads to save costs.

intermediate

What is the benefit of using namespaces and resource quotas in Kubernetes for cost control?

Namespaces isolate resources and resource quotas limit how much CPU and memory each namespace can use, preventing one team from overspending.

Which Kubernetes feature helps automatically scale pods based on CPU usage?

A Horizontal Pod Autoscaler

B Node Affinity

C Persistent Volume Claim

D ConfigMap

The Horizontal Pod Autoscaler adjusts pod count based on CPU or custom metrics to optimize resource use.

What happens if you set resource limits too high for your pods?

A Kubernetes ignores the limits

B Pods crash immediately

C Pods run faster

D You waste resources and increase costs

High limits cause over-provisioning, leading to unused resources and higher costs.

Why use Spot Instances in Kubernetes clusters?

A They guarantee 100% uptime

B They are cheaper but can be interrupted

C They increase CPU speed

D They provide unlimited storage

Spot Instances reduce costs but may be stopped by the cloud provider, suitable for flexible workloads.

What is a resource quota in Kubernetes?

A A storage volume

B A type of pod

C A limit on resources a namespace can use

D A network policy

Resource quotas restrict CPU, memory, and other resources per namespace to control usage and costs.

Which practice helps reduce idle nodes in a Kubernetes cluster?

A Cluster autoscaling

B Using ConfigMaps

C Setting pod labels

D Creating namespaces

Cluster autoscaling adds or removes nodes based on workload demand, reducing idle resources and costs.

Explain how resource requests and limits contribute to cost optimization in Kubernetes.

Think about how setting boundaries on resource use can save money.

Describe the benefits and risks of using Spot Instances or Preemptible VMs in Kubernetes clusters for cost savings.

Consider the trade-off between cost and reliability.