boot2k8s is a boot2docker variant for Kubernetes. It is distributed as an ISO image that you can use to create a virtual machine in VirtualBox. That VM will run Kubernetes in a single node (a.k.a Kubernetes solo). boot2k8s is used to get started with Kubernetes, learn the basic concepts and start developing your cloud native application.

The ISO for boot2k8s is available on the release page.

To build it yourself, you will need to have a Docker host, clone this repo and run make:

$ docker version
...
$ git clone https://github.com/skippbox/boot2k8s.git
$ cd boot2k8s
$ make

You will then have a boot2k8s.iso file that you can use to start a VirtualBox machine that will run Kubernetes solo.

If you did not clone the repo and just downloaded the ISO image from the release page, create a VirtualBox VM manually through the VirtualBox UI. Setup portforwarding on the default NAT interface to expose port 8080 of the host to port 8080 of the guest.

If you have cloned the repository you can automatically create the VirtualBox VM based on boot2k8s:

$ make run

If you do not have the kubectl Kubernetes client, get it now and make it executable chmod +x kubectl.

Darwin: $ wget https://storage.googleapis.com/kubernetes-release/release/v1.0.3/bin/darwin/amd64/kubectl

Linux: $ wget https://storage.googleapis.com/kubernetes-release/release/v1.0.3/bin/linux/amd64/kubectl

Then, once the Kubernetes API server starts running you can use kubectl to start using Kubernetes:

$ kubectl get pods
NAME                          READY     STATUS    RESTARTS   AGE
kube-controller-boot2docker   5/5       Running   0          1s
$ kubectl get pods
NAME                          READY     STATUS    RESTARTS   AGE
kube-controller-boot2docker   5/5       Running   0          3s

If you experience problems with boot2k8s or want to suggest improvements please file an issue.