Deploying Applications with Helm: Using the Helm Install Command

Deploying Applications with Helm: Using the Helm Install Command

Introduction

Helm, the package manager for Kubernetes, simplifies the deployment and management of applications using Helm charts. The helm install command is a core tool for deploying applications onto Kubernetes clusters using Helm charts. In this article, we'll explore the helm install command in detail, providing a step-by-step guide along with a practical example to demonstrate how to deploy applications using Helm.

  1. Understanding helm install Command: The helm install command is used to deploy applications onto Kubernetes clusters using Helm charts. It installs a chart onto the cluster, creating a new release with the specified name.

  2. Deploying an Application: Let's deploy an application named "my-app" using the helm install command.

    Example:

     $ helm install my-release my-chart
    

    Output:

     NAME: my-release
     LAST DEPLOYED: Mon Jan 24 15:04:12 2022
     NAMESPACE: default
     STATUS: deployed
     REVISION: 1
     TEST SUITE: None
     NOTES:
     1. Get the application URL by running:
        echo "http://$(kubectl get svc --namespace default my-release --template '{{ range (index .status.loadBalancer.ingress 0) }}{{.}}{{ end }}')"
    
    • The output provides information about the deployed release:

      • NAME: Name of the release.

      • LAST DEPLOYED: Timestamp of the deployment.

      • NAMESPACE: Namespace where the release is deployed.

      • STATUS: Deployment status (e.g., deployed).

      • REVISION: Revision number of the release.

      • TEST SUITE: Information about the test suite, if applicable.

      • NOTES: Additional notes or instructions for accessing the deployed application.

  3. Interpreting the Output:

    • The output confirms the successful deployment of the application with the specified release name (my-release).

    • It provides instructions for accessing the deployed application, including the application URL.

  4. Accessing the Deployed Application: Users can access the deployed application by following the instructions provided in the output. In this example, the application URL can be obtained using the kubectl command provided in the output notes.

  5. Conclusion: The helm install command is a powerful tool for deploying applications onto Kubernetes clusters using Helm charts. By following the steps outlined in this article, users can deploy applications with ease and confidence, streamlining the deployment process and accelerating application delivery.

Conclusion

The helm install command is an essential tool for deploying applications onto Kubernetes clusters using Helm charts. By understanding how to use the helm install command and interpreting its output, users can deploy applications with confidence and efficiency, simplifying the deployment process and accelerating application delivery in Kubernetes environments.