Enable EKS Auto Mode on an existing cluster

introduce

Amazon Elastic Kubernetes Service (Amazon EKS) automated mode provides a new feature that simplifies Kubernetes cluster management for compute, storage, and networking. Now you can get started quickly, increase performance, and reduce overhead, allowing you to focus on building applications that drive innovation by offloading cluster management to AWS.

Amazon EKS Auto mode simplifies Kubernetes cluster management by automatically provisioning infrastructure, dynamically scaling resources, continuously optimizing compute costs, and patching clusters for deployment.

Challenges facing EKS automatic mode

Before the advent of EKS automated mode, Amazon EKS users had to deal with the multiple complex tasks associated with managing Kubernetes cluster infrastructure. Although the Kubernetes control plane itself is managed, the underlying worker node infrastructure remains the responsibility of the user. This requires a lot of time and expertise, which creates several challenges:

1. Select and configure EC2 instances
   Users need to choose the appropriate EC2 instances for their Kubernetes cluster. This involves balancing resource optimization with cost considerations—an often tricky task that requires a deep understanding of instance types and workload requirements.

2. Install and maintain plugins
   Kubernetes clusters often require additional plugins for networking, storage, and monitoring. Users must ensure that these plug-ins are properly installed, updated, and maintained to ensure the smooth operation of their clusters.

3. Ongoing maintenance and security updates
   In addition to managing EC2 instances and plug-ins, users are also responsible for performing routine maintenance such as operating system patches and cluster upgrades. These activities are critical to maintaining security but also increase operational overhead because each upgrade must be carefully planned and executed to avoid disruption.

Introducing the EKS automation mode: automated Kubernetes management

The introduction of EKS Auto mode represents a major shift in the way Kubernetes clusters are managed on AWS. With automated mode, much of the manual work previously performed by consumers is now automated, making it easier to run and scale Kubernetes workloads. Let’s see how EKS automatic mode solves the challenges we just discussed:

1. Automatic EC2 execution individual configuration
   Through EKS automatic mode, users no longer need to manually provision EC2 instances. This service automatically selects the most appropriate instance for a Kubernetes cluster based on workload needs, optimizing performance and cost. This takes the guesswork out of EC2 selection and saves users valuable time.

2. Simplified plugin management
   EKS automatic mode is also responsible for plug-in management. It ensures that necessary Kubernetes plugins are automatically installed and updated, reducing maintenance burden and ensuring that the cluster is always running the latest, most secure version.

3. Automatic cluster upgrades and security patches
   One of the most time-consuming tasks for administrators is ensuring that the Kubernetes control plane and worker nodes are kept up to date with patches. EKS automatic mode automatically performs these upgrades and security patches, ensuring that the cluster remains secure without manual intervention.

## How EKS automatic mode benefits users
By automating critical infrastructure management tasks, EKS automatic mode allows Kubernetes users to focus more on their applications rather than the underlying infrastructure. Key benefits include:

• Reduce operational overhead: Automated configuration, patching, and scaling eliminate many time-consuming management tasks, freeing resources for more important work.

• Improved security: Automatic updates and patching ensure security vulnerabilities are addressed promptly without manual intervention.

• Cost Optimization: By automatically selecting the right EC2 instance for the workload, users can optimize performance and cost, making it easier to run Kubernetes efficiently at scale.

getting Started

Step 1: Set up an EKS cluster
Step 2: Verify the EKS cluster

Step 3: Upgrade the cluster using the automatic mode option.

• Select a cluster and click Create Cluster

Step 4: Configure the cluster

• Open the cluster overview page in the AWS Management Console.
• Select Manage in EKS automatic mode
  • Quick Configuration (using EKS automatic mode) – New feature to quickly create clusters using production-grade default settings. This configuration uses EKS automatic mode to automate infrastructure tasks such as creating nodes and configuring storage.
  • Select this option if you want to change the default settings before creating a custom configuration. This configuration provides the option to use EKS automatic mode and custom cluster configuration.

The cluster IAM role for the existing EKS cluster must contain sufficient permissions for EKS automatic mode, such as the following policy:

• AmazonEKS computing strategy
• AmazonEKSBlockStoragePolicy
• AmazonEKS load balancing strategy
• AmazonEKS Network Policy
• AmazonEKS cluster strategy

Step 5: Verify the cluster

comma line program
Use the following command to enable EKS automatic mode on an existing cluster.

aws eks update-cluster-config \
 --name $CLUSTER_NAME \
 --compute-config enabled=true \
 --kubernetes-network-config '{"elasticLoadBalancing":{"enabled": true}}' 
 --storage-config '{"blockStorage":{"enabled": true}}'

in conclusion
EKS automatic mode significantly reduces the operational complexity of executing Kubernetes clusters on AWS. It automates critical tasks such as instance provisioning, plug-in management, and cluster upgrades, making it easier to maintain a secure, up-to-date, and cost-optimized Kubernetes environment. If you’re looking for a simpler, more efficient way to manage your Kubernetes infrastructure, EKS Automated Mode is the solution you’ve been waiting for.