I want to share with you my experience in running a Kubernetes development environment on my laptop using docker desktop. I have experimented with different options, such as the Kubernetes feature from the docker desktop itself, Minikube with docker driver, and microk8s on ubuntu wsl2. I will compare these three alternatives and tell you why I think microk8s on ubuntu wsl2 is the best choice for me.
First, let me briefly explain what each option does. The Kubernetes feature from the docker desktop allows you to enable a single-node Kubernetes cluster on your laptop, which is integrated with the docker engine. This means you can use the same docker commands to build and run your containers on the cluster. Minikube with docker driver is another way to create a single-node Kubernetes cluster on your laptop, but it uses a separate docker daemon that runs inside a virtual machine. This means you have to switch between different docker contexts to use the Minikube cluster or the local docker engine. Microk8s on ubuntu wsl2 is a lightweight Kubernetes distribution that runs natively on ubuntu wsl2, which is a Linux subsystem for Windows 10. This means you can use the same kubectl commands to interact with the cluster, as well as other tools like helm and istio.
Now, let me tell you why I prefer microk8s on ubuntu wsl2 over the other two options. The main reason is that it is much lighter, probably because it has less overhead compared to docker desktop Kubernetes and Minikube with docker driver. I have noticed that when I run docker desktop Kubernetes or Minikube with docker driver, my laptop becomes slow and noisy, as the CPU and memory usage are very high. On the other hand, when I run microk8s on ubuntu wsl2, my laptop remains fast and quiet, as the CPU and memory usage are much lower. This makes a huge difference for me, as I can work more efficiently and comfortably without worrying about my laptop overheating or crashing.
Another reason I like microk8s on ubuntu wsl2 is that it is quite easy to install and use. All I had to do was to enable ubuntu wsl2 on my Windows 10 settings, install ubuntu from the Microsoft Store, and then run a simple command to install microk8s. After that, I could start using microk8s right away, without any additional configuration or setup. I also like that microk8s has a built-in dashboard to monitor the container deployment.
In conclusion, I think microk8s on ubuntu wsl2 is a great option for running a Kubernetes development environment on your laptop. It is lighter, faster, easier, and more feature-rich than the other alternatives. If you are looking for a way to improve your Kubernetes experience on your laptop, I highly recommend you give microk8s on ubuntu wsl2 a try. You will not regret it!
You can start your own microk8s single node cluster on wsl2 by following the official instructions from their website here: MicroK8s – Install MicroK8s on WSL2.