Adam Wright - Demystifying Kubernetes for Postgres DBAs; A Guide to Operators (PGConf.EU 2024)

This technical presentation, featuring live demos, aims to demystify Kubernetes and provide Postgres professionals with essential knowledge about Kubernetes Operators. Attendees will learn how day-to-day life might change for a DBA when shifting from self-managed Postgres to using a Postgres operator. The focus will be on general Kubernetes and Postgres concepts, with examples from multiple operators and demos from the open source CoudNativePG operator, but avoids favoring any specific operator. This talk will cover:
Introduction to Kubernetes components and operators. Differences between stateless and stateful Kubernetes deployments. Extending the Kubernetes API with Postgres logic. Ensuring high availability and understanding Kubernetes state management. Transforming the DBA role with a Kubernetes operator. Managing Postgres clusters: installation, configuration, and upgrades. Database security best practices. Storage and capacity planning: network vs. local storage. Performance monitoring and tuning. Troubleshooting Postgres performance. Effective backup and recovery strategies.