What is Kubernetes? The Engine of the Digital World, Simply Explained
1. For the Curious but Non-Technical – What Are Containers, and What Is Kubernetes?
Imagine Switzerland’s world-famous logistics system: trains, trucks, planes, and, well, not too many ships – all reliably moving goods through mountains, valleys, cities, and across borders.
Now picture a few freight trains: each wagon is loaded with a container, and each container holds a specific product – cheese from Gruyères, watches from Biel, or chocolate from Bern.
In the digital world, software containers work the same way. Each container carries a specific application or service, along with everything it needs to run – the code, settings, and dependencies – so it can be moved and operated anywhere, whether that’s a laptop, a data center, or the cloud.
But what if you had hundreds or thousands of these containers running at once – all needing to be loaded, routed, monitored, restarted if they fail, and scaled up when demand grows?
That’s where Kubernetes comes in.
Just like a logistics control center coordinates trains, planes, and trucks across Switzerland and beyond, Kubernetes coordinates software containers. It decides where they should run, makes sure they’re healthy, scales them up and down, and restarts them if something goes wrong – all automatically.
Originally developed by Google, Kubernetes was inspired by the company’s internal system “Borg” and released as open source in 2014. Today, it’s maintained by the Cloud Native Computing Foundation and backed by a global community.
And even if you’ve never heard of Kubernetes before, it’s likely already part of your life. From online banking to e-commerce shops to streaming services – many of the apps you use every day are running on Kubernetes behind the scenes.
Just one example:
In short:
- A container is a standardized software package that runs anywhere
- Kubernetes is the smart system that operates thousands of containers efficiently
Without Kubernetes, companies would have to manage each container manually – like sending cargo across Switzerland without signals, schedules, or a central control tower.
A few ideas on how to explain Kubernetes in one sentence: 😊
2. A bit more technical – What Kubernetes actually does
Modern applications are no longer monolithic – they’re modular, cloud-native, and increasingly built around DevOps workflows. Instead of installing software directly on static servers, teams now package their applications into containers – lightweight, isolated units that include everything an app needs to run.
Now imagine you’re running:
- 50 services
- 500 containers
- Across multiple environments (development, testing, production)
- In a mix of public cloud, private servers, and edge locations
Managing that manually is not just difficult – it’s nearly impossible. That’s where Kubernetes comes in.
Kubernetes solves problems like:
- Automatically starting and stopping containers based on real-time demand.
- Restarting containers when something goes wrong.
- Ensuring services are available and responsive.
- Rolling out updates without downtime.
- Distributing workloads to avoid overloading servers.
Real-world examples:
- In retail: online shops use Kubernetes to handle traffic spikes, such as those on Black Friday. Kubernetes scales up – and then back down again to save costs.
- In finance: Banks use Kubernetes to run apps that need high security and zero downtime, while continuously deploying new features.
- In healthcare: Patient data platforms use Kubernetes to ensure compliance, redundancy, and secure access.
- In SaaS: Tech companies use Kubernetes to ship updates faster, run multiple versions in parallel, and reduce infrastructure overhead.
Without Kubernetes, teams would still rely on scripts and manual steps to deploy and maintain software – slowing down innovation and increasing the risk of failure.
3. For the Tech-Curious – Clusters, Distributions, and What VSHN Does
What is a Kubernetes Cluster?
A single Kubernetes system is called a cluster. It includes:
- Control plane: the brains of the operation, deciding what should run where.
- Worker nodes: the servers where containers actually run.
- Services and tools to keep things secure, observable, and resilient.
You can have a small cluster on your laptop or a massive multi-cluster setup across global data centers.
What is a Kubernetes Distribution?
Kubernetes is open source, but it comes in different versions called distributions – similar to how Linux has different flavors like Ubuntu or Red Hat. These are tailored variants of Kubernetes with added features, support, or integration.
Example Kubernetes distributions include:
- Vanilla Kubernetes – the plain open source version.
- Red Hat OpenShift – adds developer tools, hardened security, and enterprise support.
- Rancher – focuses on multi-cluster and edge use cases.
- EKS, AKS, GKE – managed Kubernetes services by AWS, Azure, and Google.
Each distribution serves different needs. Some focus on governance and compliance, others on developer experience or cost efficiency.
What VSHN Does with Kubernetes
At VSHN, Kubernetes is the backbone of everything we do.
We were the first Swiss Kubernetes Certified Service Provider (KCSP) and the first Swiss Red Hat Premier Certified CCSP Partner – official recognitions of our deep expertise and long-standing commitment to the Kubernetes ecosystem.
VSHN manages hundreds of Kubernetes clusters for customers of all sizes – from startups to banks and public institutions – running in public cloud, private cloud, on-premises, or Swiss or EU sovereign clouds like Exoscale, Cloudscale or IONOS.
We offer:
- Managed OpenShift – We set up and operate your OpenShift cluster and take care of its entire lifecycle: security, monitoring, upgrades, and backups.
- APPUiO – Expert hosting for expert software engineers. Our OpenShift Project-as-a-Service offering, ideal for getting started with Kubernetes at low cost. Try APPUiO for free at appuio.cloud/register with the code: K8s2025
- Servala – Open Cloud Native Service Hub – Our newest platform lets you deploy fully managed services – like databases, developer tools, and monitoring – in just a few clicks, all powered by Kubernetes.
Over the years, we’ve developed automation frameworks, monitoring tools, and proven best practices to help our customers focus on building software – not managing infrastructure.
Out of this experience, we’ve also launched two Open Source projects:
- K8up – A Kubernetes backup operator and CNCF Sandbox project.
- Project Syn – A modular, secure toolbox to manage fleets of Kubernetes clusters.
Where do Red Hat, OpenShift, and VSHN fit in the railway analogy?
Let’s stay with our Swiss railway analogy.
- Kubernetes is the Swiss railway infrastructure – tracks, switches, schedules, and the control center. It ensures all trains (containers) run safely and efficiently.
- Red Hat OpenShift is the premium freight rail operator – it adds polished locomotives, cargo workflows, and integrated safety systems to the tracks.
- VSHN is your logistics partner and train operator – we run and maintain the network, the trains, and even the cargo. We make sure everything is on time, scalable, and secure.
Even better: with our Solutions, we don’t just operate the trains – we help you load, monitor, and optimize the containers inside.
And Servala? Think of it as the logistics warehouse next to the railway yard – a place where you can grab pre-packed cargo (managed services) and deploy it directly onto your Kubernetes rail network with a few clicks.
In this picture:
- Red Hat builds the system and provides the premium trains (OpenShift).
- VSHN operates the system reliably for you (Managed OpenShift, VSHN Solutions).
- You focus on your cargo (apps) – while we ensure everything runs like a Swiss clock.
Why You Should Care – Even If You’re Not a Dev
Kubernetes is behind many of the services you use every day:
- Online banking
- E-commerce shops
- Streaming services
- Public digital services
Kubernetes is also a key technology for teams adopting DevOps – helping developers and operations work together more efficiently through automation, self-service infrastructure, and repeatable workflows.
For businesses, Kubernetes enables:
- Faster time to market – deploy features daily, not quarterly.
- Higher reliability – systems recover automatically from failure.
- Cost optimization – only use the resources you need, when you need them.
- Vendor flexibility – avoid cloud lock-in by running your workloads anywhere.
TL;DR
In 2025, Kubernetes is no longer a luxury – it’s the foundation of modern IT. Not just for tech giants – but for any team that wants to work faster and better. Kubernetes automates the deployment, scaling, and reliable operation of modern applications – in the cloud, on-premises, or in hybrid environments.
At VSHN, we make Kubernetes simple, reliable, and accessible – so you can build great digital products.
Further Reading
- Why Kubernetes?
- What is a Kubernetes Distribution?
- Stay Ahead of the Game with Kubernetes
- Official Kubernetes website: kubernetes.io
Curious how Kubernetes can help your team? Get in touch with us – we’d love to show you.
Disclaimer: This text was partially written by a human.
Markus Speth
Marketing, Communications, People
