Cloud Native Compass

Flatcar Linux: A Modern OS for the Always-On InfrastructureIn this episode, we dive deep into Flatcar Linux, an immutable Linux distribution designed for always-on infrastructures. The discussion covers the architecture and features of Flatcar, including its self-updating capabilities and minimal attack surface. We explore the use of Ignition for provisioning, the role of Systemd and its extensions, and the detailed update process via an update server. The Flatcar maintainers also highlight the benefits of full-disk encryption, node-level metrics, and operational insights available through tools like Nebraska and Node exporter. Guest speakers include Flatcar maintainers and engineers from Microsoft, who share their experiences and insights on managing and maintaining Flatcar at scale.Creators & Guests David Flanagan - Host :thilo: - Guest Mathieu Tortuyaux - Guest James Le Cuirot - Guest (00:00) - Introduction (01:59) - Guest Introductions (03:10) - What is Flatcar? (12:30) - Kernel modules and Flatcar (17:41) - Getting started with Flatcar (21:27) - Encryption with Flatcar (29:40) - Kubernetes Upgrades with Flatcar (35:14) - Flatcar k8s node upgrades (38:08) - Flatcar Metrics (40:42) - Operating at scale (44:25) - Recap (45:07) - Quick-fire questions

Evolving Platform Engineering & The Rise and Fall of Kubernetes with Evelyn Osman.In today's episode of Cloud Native Compass, we dive deep into the world of platform engineering and Kubernetes. Our guest, Evelyn Osmond, head of platform at a Munich-based energy trade startup, shares her extensive experience and insights on building and maintaining platforms. We discuss the future of scripting, the challenges of release management, and the importance of continually asking 'why' in both technical and business contexts. Join us as we explore the benefits and potential pitfalls of Kubernetes, the necessity of understanding the 'why' behind our choices, and the evolving landscape of cloud-native technologies. Whether you're a junior developer or a seasoned engineer, there's something here for everyone.Click here to watch a video of this episode. (00:00) - Introduction and Overview (01:02) - Guest Introduction: Evelyn Osmond (03:26) - Evelyn's Background in Tech (05:08) - The Evolution of Scripting and Platforms (13:53) - The Importance of Asking 'Why' (19:14) - Engineering Principles and Practices (22:49) - Debating Code Generation and Templating (23:14) - Understanding Developer Motivations (24:05) - The Importance of Questioning Requirements (30:02) - Challenges with Kubernetes Adoption (30:52) - Evaluating Kubernetes for Different Use Cases (35:37) - The Future of Kubernetes and Cloud Native Solutions (41:59) - Concluding Thoughts and Farewell Creators & Guests Laura Santamaria - Host David Flanagan - Host Evelyn Osman - Guest

Discover how AI is revolutionizing coding practices! The hosts share personal journeys and debates on the merits and challenges of AI tools. Real-world examples showcase AI's role in simplifying front-end development and enhancing productivity. Delve into the environmental implications of AI technologies and the need for responsible usage. The discussion also highlights AI-generated documentation, transforming how developers relate to their projects. Tune in for an engaging mix of insights and humor!

Observability for Developers: What You Need to Know?In this episode, we discuss the intricacies of observability in microservices with Adriana Villela, a principal developer advocate at Dynatrace and an OpenTelemetry maintainer. Adriana shares insights about the importance of properly instrumenting code, managing technical debt, and balancing the environmental impact of observability data. She also delves into practical advice for getting started with OpenTelemetry and the importance of community contributions. Join us to pick up practical tips on improving your observability practices — and learn how to make smarter decisions that help you sleep better at night, even while running complex distributed systems. 00:00 Introduction to Observability01:22 Meet Adriana Villela03:40 The Role of Developer Advocacy06:27 Challenges in Observability08:05 Understanding OpenTelemetry15:07 Manual vs. Auto Instrumentation20:25 Best Practices for Instrumentation22:58 Understanding Instrumentation Importance23:29 Defining Observability24:14 Cost and Environmental Impact of Tracing25:57 Effective Observability Practices28:23 Choosing the Right Technology Stack32:37 Balancing Cost and Data Storage39:36 Learning and Contributing to OpenTelemetry47:20 Final Thoughts

The Future of Sustainability in Open Source Can open source ever truly be sustainable?In this mind-bending episode, Hazel Weakly guides us through the social, economic, and emotional layers of open source communities. We dig into governance, funding models, trust, burnout, and what it means to scale collective ownership—without losing your mind. Hazel Weakly: The Nivenly Foundation Fellow, Member of CNCF’s Deaf and Hard of Hearing WG, Software Developer | Leader  Hosts: David Flanagan and Laura Santamaria 00:00 Introduction to Open Source Sustainability01:28 Meet Hazel Weakly02:56 The Challenges of Open Source Sustainability09:17 Maintainer Burnout and Governance17:01 Funding Models and Economic Realities27:26 Community Health and Conflict Resolution40:46 The Future of Web Browsers as Public Utilities47:07 Conclusion and Farewell

In this episode David and Laura explore the world of Atlantis, the Terraform automation tool, with special guest Jose (PePe) Amengual, a core contributor and maintainer of the Atlantis project. We discuss the origins, features, and future of Atlantis, along with its role in production engineering and its integration with various VCS systems.00:00 Introduction00:14 Terraform Automation and Project Atlantis00:35 Pepe’s Journey with Project Atlantis03:40 What is Atlantis?22:05 Security Aspects of Atlantis11:09 Future of Atlantis

Java for Serverless Functions In this episode of Cloud Native Compass, hosts Laura and David explore the world of Java for serverless functions with special guest Otávio Santana. Otávio, a seasoned Java developer and Kubernetes expert, shares his insights into the modernization of Java, its ecosystem, and its place in the cloud native landscape. We discuss Java's evolution, the misconceptions surrounding it, and why it remains a powerful tool for developers today.00:00 Introduction to Java for Serverless Functions00:07 Meet Otavio Santana: Java Champion and Kubernetes Expert04:28 Java's Evolution and Modernization06:12 Java in the Cloud Native Landscape16:56 Java Ecosystem and Frameworks18:37 Java's Flexibility and Community Support28:14 Java in Kubernetes and Future Prospects29:44 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Mark Fussell, co-founder and CEO of Diagrid, discusses the revolutionary impact of Dapr on microservices. He explains how Dapr simplifies development through accessible APIs and addresses challenges like communication in distributed systems. The episode highlights the actor model's role in state management and the advantages of lightweight actors for scalability. Mark also touches on the integration of Dapr Agents and the significance of platform engineering, showcasing how these innovations can enhance developer productivity and facilitate microservices adoption.

Struggling to Learn Kubernetes?Here’s How to Stay MotivatedIn this episode of Cloud Native Compass, host David Flanagan talks with Koray Oksay, a Kubernetes consultant, trainer at Kubermatic, CNCF Ambassador, and organizer of KCD Istanbul. From this episode, you’ll learn how to overcome the challenges of learning new technologies, how to find motivation, and how to use real-world projects to improve skills. The guest shares personal experiences—how he moved from struggling with Perl and Python to using them effectively in production.Don’t miss this chance to learn from a seasoned professional!00:00 Introduction and Missing Co-Host00:25 Meet Koray: Background and Experience01:59 Journey into Kubernetes and Cloud Native04:55 Challenges in Adopting Kubernetes06:17 Training and Skill Levels in Kubernetes12:20 Tools and Best Practices in Kubernetes17:44 Choosing the Right Tools for Your Needs19:23 Preferred Tools and Final Thoughts20:35 Introduction to KKP and Managed Kubernetes21:10 Public Cloud vs On-Prem Kubernetes Management21:56 Customization and Freedom in Kubernetes24:04 Future Technologies in Kubernetes and Cloud Native25:07 The Complexity of Kubernetes27:01 Cluster Management Best Practices33:31 Getting Started with Kubernetes: Tips and Resources39:23 Final Thoughts and Community Involvement

In this episode, David and Laura catch up with Mikkel Mørk Hegnhøj from Fermyon to break down the latest in WebAssembly. They’ll cover how it’s changing cloud computing, what’s new with Spin and WASI, and why devs should care. Tune in for some great insights!Click here to watch a video of this episode. Creators & Guests David Flanagan - Host Laura Santamaria - Host Mikkel Mørk Hegnhøj - Guest (00:00) - Introduction to Server-Side WebAssembly (00:25) - Technical Difficulties and Banter (01:01) - Guest Introduction: Mikkel Mørk Hegnhøj (02:00) - WebAssembly Evolution and Spin 3.0 (05:02) - WASI and WebAssembly Components (10:23) - WebAssembly in Kubernetes (16:26) - Spin 3.0 Features and Future Directions (19:25) - Distributed Promises and WebAssembly (19:58) - Frameworks and Programming Languages in WebAssembly (20:58) - Polyglot Development and Experimentation (22:40) - Practical Use Cases for Polyglot Programming (24:37) - Enterprise Benefits of WebAssembly (25:29) - Component-Based Deployment in Kubernetes (28:20) - Developer Experience with Spin and WebAssembly (33:28) - Open Telemetry Integration in Spin V3 (35:50) - Future of Spin and WebAssembly (37:40) - Closing Remarks and Upcoming Events