Google SRE Prodcast The One with Ben Good and Our Kubernetes Friends
Jul 30, 2025
Ben Good, a Google Cloud Solutions Architect skilled in platform engineering, joins Kaslin Fields, co-host of the Kubernetes podcast. They dive into the powerful role of Kubernetes in platform engineering, discussing how to create user-friendly 'golden paths' for developers. The conversation highlights the significance of observability, adapting to evolving customer needs, and improving deployment archetypes. They explore the importance of DORA metrics for assessing team success, all while emphasizing a tailored approach to platform design and user experience.
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Early Platform Engineering Experience
- Ben Good shared his early platform engineering experience before Kubernetes, which involved enabling engineers to spin up VMs and databases through a portal.
- Containerization and Kubernetes later simplified many of those infrastructure abstractions he originally managed manually.
Kubernetes as a Platform Tool
- Kubernetes is a powerful tool for building platforms but not the only one needed.
- Platform engineering involves integrating various tools and automating workflows beyond just Kubernetes.
Designing Effective Platform Interfaces
- Build platforms by gluing together underlying infrastructure with automation and user-friendly interfaces.
- The interface can vary from simple documents to portals like Backstage, as long as it’s well-defined and easy to use.