How to Install Helm: A Step-by-Step Tutorial
What is Helm and Why Do You Need it?
If you’re working on a Kubernetes environment, you might have come across Helm at some point. Helm is a package manager designed to help you install, upgrade, and manage Kubernetes applications. It’s an open-source tool that helps you simplify your deployment process by automating the installation of Kubernetes resources in your cluster. Instead of manually configuring each resource, Helm allows you to package a set of resources into a single chart, which can be easily installed by running a single command. Think of Helm as your trusted assistant that automates your Kubernetes deployments, allowing you to focus on writing code instead of configuring resources.
Helm was initially created by Deis, a company that specializes in containers and platform-as-a-service (PaaS) technologies. Originally, Helm was designed to help manage applications on Deis’ PaaS platform. However, it later gained popularity as a Kubernetes package manager, and the Helm project became a part of the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) in 2018.
One of the biggest benefits of using Helm is that it simplifies the installation and management of Kubernetes applications. Prior to Helm, managing multiple Kubernetes resources was a time-consuming and error-prone process. You had to manually create each resource, configure it with the correct parameters, and then deploy it onto your cluster. This process could take hours, and even then, there was no guarantee that everything would work as expected.
Helm simplifies this process by allowing you to package a set of resources into a single chart, which is essentially a collection of YAML files that define the resources and their configurations. Instead of deploying each resource manually, you can now deploy them all at once by running a single Helm command. The chart ensures that the resources are deployed in the correct order, with all of the parameters configured correctly.
Another benefit of using Helm is that it makes it easier to share and reuse software. Charts can be shared via a centralized repository, allowing you to easily distribute your applications to other teams, departments, or even the entire Kubernetes community. You can also use pre-built charts from the Helm charts repository, which contains thousands of Helm charts for popular software like MySQL, WordPress, and Prometheus.
Finally, Helm makes it easier to manage upgrades and rollbacks for your Kubernetes applications. Upgrading or downgrading a Kubernetes application involves updating the manifest files and then re-deploying the application. With Helm, you can simply update the chart to a new version and run the upgrade command. Helm will automatically apply the necessary changes to your Kubernetes resources, ensuring a smooth deployment process.
Preparing Your Environment for Helm Installation
Helm is a popular package manager that eases the process of installing and managing applications on Kubernetes. Before you install Helm, it is essential to ensure that your environment meets the necessary requirements. The following article will guide you through the prerequisites before installing Helm.
Firstly, you will need to have a running instance of Kubernetes. If you do not have an instance running, you can quickly set one up using a cloud provider such as Google Cloud, Azure, or AWS. However, if you prefer running Kubernetes on a local machine, you can use solutions such as Minikube, Docker Desktop, or any other Kubernetes distribution.
Secondly, you will need to ensure that kubectl, the command-line interface for Kubernetes, is installed and running on your environment. Kubectl is used to interact with the Kubernetes API server and, therefore, is necessary for deploying and managing Kubernetes clusters. To check whether kubectl is installed, run the following command:
kubectl version --client
If kubectl is not installed, you can install it by following the official documentation for your specific environment. For example, to install kubectl on a Mac using Homebrew, you can run the following command:
brew install kubectl
Thirdly, you will need to have Helm installed on your environment. Helm can be installed on different operating systems, including Mac, Linux, and Windows. To install Helm on a Mac using Homebrew, you can run the following command:
brew install helm
You can also download the latest Helm binary from the official Helm website and install it on your environment manually. Once you have installed Helm, you can confirm its installation by running the following command:
helm version --short
The output of this command should display the version of Helm currently installed on your environment. For example, if version 3 of Helm is installed, the output should be similar to:
v3.6.3+g19e47ee
At this point, you have prepared your environment for Helm installation. However, before you start deploying and managing applications using Helm, it is crucial to ensure that you have a good understanding of Kubernetes objects and Helm charts. Kubernetes objects such as pods, services, and deployments are used for deploying and managing containerized applications on Kubernetes. On the other hand, Helm charts are packages that contain pre-configured Kubernetes objects that can be easily installed, updated, and managed using Helm.
In conclusion, Helm installation is straightforward, and the essential requirement is to have a running instance of Kubernetes, kubectl, and Helm. By ensuring that your environment meets these prerequisites, you can quickly start deploying and managing applications using Helm.
Step-by-Step Guide to Helm Installation on Different Platforms
Aside from Linux, you can also install Helm on other platforms such as Windows and Mac. In this section, we will guide you on how to install Helm on different platforms to further enhance your Kubernetes experience.
Installing Helm on Windows
For windows users, there are two ways to install Helm. The first option is through the command line and the second option is through the GUI installer.
Option 1: Command Line
Step 1: Download the Windows executable for Helm from the official Helm website.
Step 2: Extract the contents of the zip file to your desired location.
Step 3: Open Windows PowerShell as an administrator and navigate to the extracted directory.
Step 4: Run the following command to install Helm:
./install-helm.ps1
Option 2: GUI Installer
Step 1: Download the windows GUI installer from the official Helm website.
Step 2: Double click the executable file.
Step 3: Follow the instructions in the setup wizard to complete the installation process.
Installing Helm on MacOS
Installing Helm on MacOS is relatively easy. Here’s how you do it:
Step 1: Open Terminal on your Mac.
Step 2: Use the following command to install Helm via Homebrew package manager.
brew install helm
Step 3: Once the installation is complete, you can verify the installation by running the command:
helm version
This will output the version number, which will indicate that Helm is installed and ready to use.
Installing Helm on Cloud Platforms
Helm can also be used on various cloud platforms such as Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, and Amazon Web Services (AWS). Here are the steps on how to install Helm on these cloud platforms.
Microsoft Azure
Step 1: Open the Azure Cloud Shell.
Step 2: Install Helm via Homebrew.
brew install kubernetes-helm
Step 3: Add Helm stable to your charts.
helm repo add stable https://kubernetes-charts.storage.googleapis.com/
Google Cloud
Step 1: Open the Google Cloud Shell.
Step 2: Install Helm via Homebrew.
brew install kubernetes-helm
Step 3: Initialize Helm in your Kubernetes cluster.
helm init
Step 4: Verify whether Helm is installed or not.
helm version
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Step 1: Open the AWS CloudShell.
Step 2: Install Helm via Homebrew.
brew install kubernetes-helm
Step 3: Check the version of Helm.
helm version
With Helm installed on your desired platform, you can now easily deploy and manage Kubernetes applications using Helm Charts. Happy developing!
Helm Usage: Basic Commands and Features
When it comes to managing Kubernetes applications, Helm is one of the most popular tools out there. Helm allows you to package, configure, and deploy Kubernetes applications using a simple command-line interface. In this article, we will cover some of the basic commands and features that you need to know to get started with Helm.
Install and Setup
Before diving into the basic commands, you need to have Helm installed and set up on your local machine. You can install Helm by following the official documentation provided on the Helm website. Once you have installed Helm, you can set up your cluster by running the command:
“`
$ helm init
“`
This command will install Tiller, the server-side component of Helm, into your cluster. Tiller is responsible for managing the deployment of your application using the Helm chart.
Create a Chart
To start working with Helm, you need to create a chart. A chart is a collection of YAML files that define the application, its dependencies, and configurations. You can create a chart using the command:
“`
$ helm create
“`
This command will create the necessary files and folders for a Helm chart with the given name. You can modify the chart files according to your application’s needs. Once you have created your chart, you can package it using the command:
“`
$ helm package
“`
This command will create a Helm package (.tgz file) that you can use to deploy your application.
Install a Chart
To install a chart, you need to run the following command:
“`
$ helm install
“`
The release name can be any name you choose for the deployment. This command will install the chart with the given name and create a new release with the specified name. You can check the status of your release using the command:
“`
$ helm status
“`
This command will show you the current status of your deployment, including all the deployed resources.
Upgrade a Chart
You can update your application by making changes to your chart files and upgrading the existing release using the command:
“`
$ helm upgrade
“`
This command will update your release with the changes in the chart files. You can also pass additional values to the chart using the `–set` flag:
“`
$ helm upgrade
“`
This will set the key-value pairs for the specified release.
Uninstall a Chart
If you want to remove a chart from your cluster, you can run the command:
“`
$ helm delete
“`
This command will delete the specified release and all the resources associated with it. If you want to completely remove the chart, including all the releases, you can run:
“`
$ helm delete –purge
“`
This command will remove the specified release and all the resources associated with it, including the history of the release.
These are some of the basic commands and features of Helm that you need to know to get started with managing your Kubernetes applications using Helm. With Helm’s powerful features and simplicity, you can easily package, configure, and deploy your applications in a matter of minutes.
Advanced Helm Techniques: Chart Customization and Security Considerations
Helm deployment is a powerful tool that is used by many teams that want to automate the process of installing, upgrading, and managing their Kubernetes applications without having to go through the manual process. Helm charts are the files used to define, install, and configure Kubernetes applications. Helm charts come with different levels of customization, but advanced customization is required for complex applications that involve multiple microservices or architecture patterns. This section will look at advanced Helm techniques such as Chart Customization and Security Considerations that can help you deploy secure and customized applications with Helm.
Chart Customization
One of the powerful features of Helm is Chart Customization. Customizing Helm charts allows you to create a template that can be easily reused across environments or even different applications. Helm charts allow you to set default values for chart variables, chart dependencies, and chart hooks. Customization of Helm charts involves the following:
Values.yaml file customization
The “values.yaml” file is the default configuration file for the Helm chart. This file contains all values that define the chart’s default configuration. Advanced customization of the chart, in this case, will involve modifying this file to suit your requirements. For example, you could modify the image version for your application, or editing the ingress configuration. Values.yaml also supports declaring user-defined chart variables and working with default chart variables directly from the command line. It’s worthwhile to keep this file clean and well-structured to keep the chart maintainable and easy to understand.
Chart dependency management
Every advanced application comes with multiple microservices, which can be customized independently if the tools support it. Helm charts support modularization, which makes it easy to customize individual components without affecting the rest of the application. The Helm chart’s “requirements.yaml” file defines the chart dependencies that need to be installed before the chart can run correctly. Helm allows you to customize the chart dependencies by declaring new charts, updating dependencies’ versions, or even removing charts you don’t need.
Chart Hooks
Chart hooks allow you to execute scripts at specific points during the helm deployment. Helm supports pre-install, post-install, pre-upgrade, post-upgrade, pre-delete, and post-delete chart hooks. Customizing chart hooks involves adding or modifying script snippets in the chart hooks’ script files. Chart hooks are powerful Helm features that can be used in configuring application databases, cloud resources deployment, platform-based configurations, and much more.
Security Considerations
The security of your Kubernetes environment should always be a priority. Helm deployment is no exception. Helm deployment can have its security problems, such as malware injection, unauthorized access, and cross-site scripting. Advanced Helm techniques like Creating a Service Account, Using Pod Security Policies, and Setting up TLS can help enhance the security of your environment.
Creating a Service Account
Kubernetes creates a service account for each pod. This service account is used to authenticate the pod to the Kubernetes cluster and access cluster-level resources. Advanced customization and security best practices involve creating custom service accounts for helm charts that limit the service accounts’ access rights to the required resources only. By doing this, application security is enhanced by limiting the resources a service account can access.
Use of Pod Security Policies
Pod Security Policies is a Kubernetes native feature that enforces strict security standards in your application deployment. The feature allows you to restrict the deployment of pods that don’t comply with the defined security policies. Enabling Pod Security Policies will, therefore, enforce strict security perimeter controls that can help you detect and prevent certain security attacks.
Setting up TLS
Transport-level security (TLS) is a protocol that prevents data interception by encrypting data exchanged between two applications. Kubernetes provides a secure mechanism of securing HTTP applications using ingress resources. Advanced customization techniques include setting up TLS certificate and key to enable secure ingress routes. The use of TLS keeps server communication secure and reduces data breaches by malicious users.
Chart Customization and Security Considerations can help you deploy secure and reliable applications in complex Kubernetes environments. Customizing your Helm charts can help you manage and deploy complex applications more flexibly, while adopting security best practices will keep your deployed applications safe from any external threat. Use these Helm advanced techniques to execute Kubernetes deployments more effectively and securely.