In today’s fast-paced world of software development, speed and efficiency are crucial. Containerization and container orchestration technologies are revolutionizing how we build, deploy, and manage applications. This blog post will break down these concepts for beginners, starting with the fundamentals of containers and then exploring container orchestration with a focus on Kubernetes, the industry leader.
1. What are Containers?
Imagine a shipping container. It’s a standardized unit that can hold various cargo and be easily transported across different modes of transportation (ships, trucks, trains). Similarly, a software container is a standardized unit of software that packages code and all its dependencies (libraries, runtime environment) into a lightweight, portable package.
Benefits of Containers:
Portability: Containers run consistently across different environments (physical machines, virtual machines, cloud platforms) due to their standardized nature.
Isolation: Each container runs in isolation, sharing resources with the operating system but not with other containers, promoting security and stability.
Lightweight: Containers are much smaller than virtual machines, allowing for faster startup times and efficient resource utilization.
2. What is Docker?
Docker is a free and open-source platform that provides developers with the tools to build, ship, and run applications in standardized units called containers. Think of Docker as a giant toolbox containing everything you need to construct and manage these containers.
Here’s how Docker is involved in containerization:
Building Images: Docker allows you to create instructions (Dockerfile) defining the environment and dependencies needed for your application. These instructions are used to build lightweight, portable container images that encapsulate your code.
Running Containers: Once you have an image, Docker can run it as a container instance. This instance includes the application code, libraries, and runtime environment, all packaged together.
Sharing Images: Docker Hub, a public registry, allows you to share and discover container images built by others. This promotes code reuse and simplifies development.
Benefits of Using Docker:
Faster Development: Docker simplifies the development process by ensuring a consistent environment across development, testing, and production.
Portability: Containerized applications run consistently on any system with Docker installed, regardless of the underlying operating system.
Efficiency: Containers are lightweight and share the host operating system kernel, leading to efficient resource utilization.
3. What is Container Orchestration? As the number of containers in an application grows, managing them individually becomes cumbersome. Container orchestration tools automate the deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications. They act as a conductor for your containerized orchestra.
Key Features of Container Orchestration:
Scheduling: Orchestrators like Kubernetes determine where to run containers across available resources.
Scaling: They can automatically scale applications up or down based on demand.
Load Balancing: Orchestrators distribute incoming traffic across multiple container instances for an application, ensuring stability and high availability.
Health Monitoring: They monitor the health of containers and can restart them if they fail.
4. What is Kubernetes?
Kubernetes, often shortened to K8s, is an open-source system for automating container deployment, scaling, and management. It’s the most popular container orchestration platform globally due to its scalability, flexibility, and vibrant community.
Thinking of Kubernetes as a City (Continued):
Imagine Kubernetes as a city that manages tiny houses (containers) where different microservices reside. Kubernetes takes care of:
Zoning: Deciding where to place each tiny house (container) based on resource needs.
Traffic Management: Routing requests to the appropriate houses (containers).
Utilities: Providing shared resources (like storage) for the houses (containers).
Maintenance: Ensuring the houses (containers) are healthy and restarting them if needed.
Example with a Simple Web App:
Let’s say you have a simple web application with a front-end written in Node.js and a back-end written in Python (commonly used for web development). You can containerize each component (front-end and back-end) and deploy them on Kubernetes. Kubernetes will manage the deployment, scaling, and communication between these containers.
Benefits of Kubernetes:
Scalability: Easily scale applications up or down to meet changing demands.
Portability: Deploy applications across different environments (on-premise, cloud) with minimal changes.
High Availability: Kubernetes ensures your application remains available even if individual containers fail.
Rich Ecosystem: A vast ecosystem of tools and integrations exists for Kubernetes.
5. How Docker Relates to Container Orchestration and Kubernetes Docker focuses on building, sharing, and running individual containers. While Docker can be used to manage a small number of containers, container orchestration tools like Kubernetes become essential when you have a complex application with many containers that need to be deployed, scaled, and managed efficiently.
Think of Docker as the tool that builds the tiny houses (containers), and Kubernetes as the city planner and manager that oversees their placement, operations, and overall well-being. Getting Started with Docker and Kubernetes: There are several resources available to get started with Docker and Kubernetes:
Docker: https://docs.docker.com/guides/getting-started/ offers tutorials and documentation for beginners. Kubernetes: https://kubernetes.io/docs/home/ provides comprehensive documentation and getting started guides. Online Courses: Many platforms like Udemy and Coursera offer beginner-friendly courses on Docker and Kubernetes.
Conclusion
Containers and container orchestration offer a powerful approach to building, deploying, and managing applications. By understanding Docker, containers, and orchestration tools like Kubernetes,
Recently, I helped one of my clients who was using an Amazon Lightsail WordPress instance provided by Bitnami. Bitnami is advantageous in that it provides a fully working stack, so you don’t have to worry about configuring LAMP or environments. You can find more information about the Bitnami Lightsail stack here.
However, the client’s stack was using the latest PHP 8.x version, while the WordPress site he runs uses several plugins that need PHP 7.4. I advised the client to consider upgrading the website to support the latest PHP versions. However, since that would require a lot of work, and he wanted the site to be up and running, he decided to downgrade PHP.
The issue with downgrading or upgrading PHP on a Bitnami stack is that it’s not possible. Bitnami recommends launching a new server instance with the required PHP, MySQL, or Apache version and migrating the data over. So, I decided to do it manually.
Here are the server details:
Debian 11 Current installed PHP: 8.1.x
Upgrading or downgrading PHP versions on a Bitnami stack is essentially the same as on a normal Linux server. In short, you need to:
Ensure the PHP packages for the version you want are installed. Update any configuration for that PHP version. Update your web server configuration to point to the correct PHP version. Point PHP CLI to the correct PHP version. Restart your web server and php-fpm.
What we did was install the PHP version provided by the OS. Then, we updated php.ini to use the non-default MySQL socket location used by the Bitnami server. We created a php-fpm pool that runs as the “daemon” user. After that, we updated the Apache configuration to use the new PHP version.
1. Make sure packages for your target version of PHP are installed To make sure that the correct packages are available on your system for the PHP version you want, first make sure your system is up to date by running these commands:
sudo apt update sudo apt upgrade If it prompts you to do anything with config files, usually, you should just go with the default option and leave the current config as-is. Then, install the packages you need. For example, you can use the following command to install common PHP packages and modules: sudo apt install -y php7.4-cli php7.4-dev php7.4-pgsql php7.4-sqlite3 php7.4-gd php7.4-curl php7.4-memcached php7.4-imap php7.4-mysql php7.4-mbstring php7.4-xml php7.4-imagick php7.4-zip php7.4-bcmath php7.4-soap php7.4-intl php7.4-readline php7.4-common php7.4-pspell php7.4-tidy php7.4-xmlrpc php7.4-xsl php7.4-fpm
2. Make sure PHP configuration for your target version is updated Find the mysql socket path used by your Bitnami stack by running this command:
[Pdo_mysql] ; Default socket name for local MySQL connects. If empty, uses the built-in ; MySQL defaults. pdo_mysql.default_socket=
Replace with
[Pdo_mysql] ; Default socket name for local MySQL connects. If empty, uses the built-in ; MySQL defaults. pdo_mysql.default_socket= “/opt/bitnami/mariadb/tmp/mysql.sock”
Feel free to adjust the PHP FPM settings to match your server specifications or needs. Check out this informative article for more tips on optimizing PHP FPM performance. Just keep in mind that Bitnami configures their stack with the listen.owner and listen.group settings set to daemon.
This pool will listen on unix socket “/opt/bitnami/php/var/run/www2.sock”.
Test the installed version by running below command ~# php -v PHP 7.4.33 (cli) (built: Feb 22 2023 20:07:47) ( NTS ) Copyright (c) The PHP Group Zend Engine v3.4.0, Copyright (c) Zend Technologies with Zend OPcache v7.4.33, Copyright (c), by Zend Technologies
In today’s digital age, website security is more important than ever. One of the key components of website security is SSL (Secure Sockets Layer). SSL is a protocol for establishing secure, encrypted connections between a web server and a web browser. SSL (Secure Socket Layer) has historically been the standard encryption protocol for secure communication over the internet. However, it has been replaced by TLS (Transport Layer Security) as the standard encryption protocol. Despite this, SSL is still commonly used as a general term to refer to both SSL and TLS. In this article, we’ll explore what SSL is, why it’s important for website security, and how it works.
Definition of SSL SSL is a security protocol that uses encryption to protect data transmitted between a web server and a web browser. SSL ensures that any data transmitted between the two parties is kept confidential, authenticated, and secure from unauthorized access. SSL is often used to secure online transactions, such as e-commerce purchases, online banking, and other sensitive data transmissions.
Importance of SSL in website security Without SSL, data transmitted between a web server and a web browser is sent in plain text, which can be intercepted and read by hackers. SSL helps to prevent this by encrypting the data so that it cannot be intercepted or read. SSL also provides authentication, which ensures that the website being accessed is the genuine website and not a fake website designed to steal data. In addition, SSL provides integrity, which ensures that the data being transmitted has not been tampered with during transmission. SSL helps prevent man-in-the-middle attacks, where an attacker intercepts the data being transmitted and alters it without the knowledge of the sender or receiver.
How SSL Works
Explanation of SSL handshake When a web browser establishes a connection with a web server using SSL, a process called the SSL handshake occurs. During the SSL handshake, the web browser and web server exchange information and establish a secure, encrypted connection. The SSL handshake consists of the following steps:
1. The web browser sends a “hello” message to the web server, along with the SSL version number and the list of encryption algorithms that the browser supports. 2. The web server responds with a “hello” message, along with the SSL version number and the encryption algorithm that will be used for the connection. 3. The web server sends its SSL certificate to the web browser, which contains the public key needed to encrypt data sent to the server. 4. The web browser verifies the SSL certificate and sends a message to the web server to begin encrypting data. 5. The web server responds with a message indicating that it is ready to begin encrypting data.
SSL encryption and decryption process Once the SSL handshake is complete and the secure connection has been established, all data transmitted between the web browser and the web server is encrypted. The data is encrypted using the encryption algorithm negotiated during the SSL handshake. When the encrypted data reaches the web server, it is decrypted using the private key associated with the SSL certificate.
Role of SSL certificates in SSL SSL certificates are an essential component of SSL. SSL certificates are digital certificates that are used to verify the identity of a website and establish a secure, encrypted connection. SSL certificates contain information about the website, such as the domain name, the owner of the website, and the expiration date of the certificate. SSL certificates are issued by trusted third-party certificate authorities (CA) and must be installed on the web server.
In order to obtain an SSL certificate, the website owner must generate a Certificate Signing Request (CSR), which contains information about the website and the public key that will be used for encryption. The CSR is then submitted to a trusted third-party CA, who will verify the website’s identity before issuing the SSL certificate.
Types of SSL Certificates
SSL certificates come in different types, each with different validation requirements and levels of assurance. Here are the most common types:
1. Domain Validated (DV) SSL Certificates Domain Validated (DV) SSL certificates are the most basic type of SSL certificate. They verify that the domain name is registered and under the control of the certificate applicant. DV certificates are easy to obtain and are usually issued within minutes of submitting a certificate signing request (CSR).
To get a DV SSL certificate, you simply need to prove that you own the domain name by responding to an email or uploading a file to your website. DV certificates only provide basic encryption and do not display any company information in the certificate details.
2. Organization Validated (OV) SSL Certificates Organization Validated (OV) SSL certificates offer a higher level of assurance than DV certificates. In addition to validating the domain ownership, OV certificates also verify that the organization applying for the certificate is legitimate and registered to do business.
To obtain an OV SSL certificate, the applicant must provide additional information about their organization, such as business registration documents and legal information. OV certificates display the company name in the certificate details, which can help to build trust with website visitors.
3. Extended Validation (EV) SSL Certificates Extended Validation (EV) SSL certificates are the highest level of SSL certificate and offer the strongest level of assurance. They provide the most visible sign of trust with a green address bar and the company name displayed in the certificate details.
To obtain an EV SSL certificate, the applicant must go through a rigorous validation process that includes verifying the legal, physical, and operational existence of the organization. This process can take several days to complete, but the result is a certificate that provides the highest level of assurance and trust.
EV certificates are typically used by high-profile websites such as banks, e-commerce sites, and government agencies that handle sensitive information.
Besides the standard SSL certificates, some Certificate Authorities (CA’s) also offer Wildcard SSL certificates. These can be used to secure multiple subdomains with a single certificate.
The Process of Getting an SSL Certificate
SSL certificates are issued by a trusted third-party called a Certificate Authority (CA). Getting an SSL certificate involves several steps, including choosing a CA, generating a Certificate Signing Request (CSR), and validating the SSL certificate.
Choosing a Certificate Authority (CA) There are many CAs that offer SSL certificates, including popular options such as Let’s Encrypt, Comodo, DigiCert, and Symantec. When choosing a CA, consider factors such as the level of customer support, pricing, and the types of certificates they offer.
Generating a Certificate Signing Request (CSR) A CSR is a file that contains information about your website and is used to apply for an SSL certificate. To generate a CSR, you will need to have access to your web server and use a tool such as OpenSSL to create the file.
When generating a Certificate Signing Request (CSR), you will need to provide the following information:
Common Name (CN): This is the domain name that you want to secure with SSL. For example, www.example.com.
Organization (O): The legal name of your organization.
Organizational Unit (OU): This is the department within your organization that is responsible for the certificate.
City/Locality (L): The city where your organization is located.
State/Province (ST): The state or province where your organization is located.
Country (C): The two-letter country code where your organization is located.
Email Address: An email address where the Certificate Authority (CA) can contact you if needed.
Make sure to double-check your entries for accuracy as any errors may result in delays in obtaining your SSL certificate.
Here’s how to generate a CSR using OpenSSL:
1. Open a command prompt or terminal app. 2. Run the following command to generate a private key: openssl genrsa -out private.key 2048 3. Run the following command to generate a CSR: openssl req -new -key private.key -out mydomain.csr 4. Follow the prompts to enter the required information, such as your website’s domain name, location, and contact information.
It’s important to keep your private key safe and secure because it is required during the installation of your SSL certificate. If your private key is lost or compromised, your SSL certificate will no longer be valid and you will need to generate a new CSR and request a new SSL certificate.
Validation of the SSL certificate Once you have generated a CSR, you will need to submit the CSR to the Certificate Authority (CA). CA will then needs to verify the SSL request. So, you will need to validate your domain ownership to obtain the SSL certificate. The type of validation required will depend on the type of SSL certificate you have chosen.
a. Domain Validated (DV) SSL Certificates For DV SSL certificates, the CA will only validate that you own the domain for which you are requesting the certificate. There are three methods of domain validation that are commonly used:
Email Validation: The CA will send an email to a predefined email address associated with the domain, such as admin@yourdomain.com, and ask you to click on a link or reply with a code to confirm ownership.
DNS Validation: The CA will ask you to add a specific DNS record to your domain’s DNS settings. This proves that you have control over the domain’s DNS.
HTTP File Upload: The CA will ask you to upload a specific file to your website’s root directory. This proves that you have control over the domain and the website associated with it. b. Organization Validated (OV) SSL Certificates For OV SSL certificates, the CA will perform additional checks to validate the organization’s legal identity, including:
Checking the organization’s business registration documents
Checking the organization’s physical address and phone number
Verifying the organization’s name and the name of the person requesting the certificate
c. Extended Validation (EV) SSL Certificates For EV SSL certificates, the CA will perform the most rigorous checks to validate the organization’s legal identity, including:
Checking the organization’s legal existence and business’s government registration documents
Checking the organization’s physical address and phone number
Verifying the organization’s name and the name of the person requesting the certificate
Conducting a thorough background check on the organization’s reputation and business practices
Once the validation process is complete and the CA will issue the SSL certificate and then the certificate can be installed on the web server.
In addition to purchasing SSL certificates from a CA, some web hosting providers offer free SSL certificates through Let’s Encrypt, a nonprofit CA that provides free SSL certificates to promote web security. This can be an affordable option for website owners who want to ensure their website is secure. You can also install certbot tools and obtain free SSL certificates from Let’s Encrypt if you have a root or SSH access to your server.
Installing an SSL Certificate on Your Server The specific steps for installing an SSL certificate may vary depending on your server or service. Be sure to follow the instructions provided by your certificate authority or web server documentation.
When you receive an SSL certificate for your domain, the Certificate Authority (CA) typically provides a zip file that contains the following files:
SSL certificate: This is the primary certificate that contains your domain name, public key, expiration date, and other details. The certificate may be in different formats, such as .pem, .crt, or .cer. Intermediate certificate(s): These certificates form the chain of trust between the SSL certificate and the root certificate of the CA. They are required for SSL validation and may be included in the SSL certificate itself or provided as separate files. Root certificate: This certificate is at the top of the certificate chain and is used to establish trust. It may or may not be included in the SSL certificate.zip file.
The correct order of installation would be: Domain certificate Intermediate certificate Root certificate
Note that some SSL/TLS certificate providers may bundle the intermediate and root certificates together in a single file. If this is the case, you only need to install the bundled certificate and the domain certificate.
You can find detailed instructions on how to install an SSL certificate on Nginx and Apache by following the links provided.
SSL or Secure Socket Layer is a widely used technology to encrypt the data being transmitted between a web server and a web browser. It provides a secure connection and helps protect against cyber attacks like phishing, data theft, and man-in-the-middle attacks. In this section, we will explore how SSL helps protect against cyber attacks and some best practices for SSL implementation to enhance website security.
How SSL helps protect against cyber attacks:
Data Encryption: SSL encrypts the data being transmitted between the server and the browser, ensuring that the information is protected and cannot be intercepted by third-party attackers.
Authentication: SSL certificates provide authentication to the website, ensuring that the user is connecting to the correct website and not a malicious imposter.
Trustworthiness: SSL certificates are issued by trusted third-party Certificate Authorities (CA), which helps establish the trustworthiness of the website.
SSL best practices for website security:
Use strong encryption algorithms: Always use the latest and most secure encryption algorithms, such as AES 256-bit encryption, to encrypt the data being transmitted.
Keep SSL certificates up-to-date: Regularly update SSL certificates to ensure that they are not expired or revoked.
Implement HTTPS: Always use HTTPS instead of HTTP to secure your website. HTTPS is a protocol that encrypts the data being transmitted over the internet and provides a secure connection.
Common SSL vulnerabilities and how to avoid them:
Weak Encryption: Always use strong encryption algorithms and keep them updated to avoid weak encryption.
Insecure Certificates: Ensure that SSL certificates are issued by trusted third-party Certificate Authorities (CA) to avoid insecure certificates.
Expired Certificates: Regularly update SSL certificates to avoid expired certificates, which can lead to vulnerabilities and cyber attacks.
Conclusion
In summary, SSL is an essential technology for ensuring secure communication between a website and its visitors. It uses a combination of encryption, authentication, and trust mechanisms to protect against eavesdropping, tampering, and phishing attacks. With the increasing reliance on online services and the growing sophistication of cyber threats, it is more important than ever to secure your website with SSL.
To get started with SSL, you need to choose a certificate authority, generate a CSR, and complete the validation process. Once you have obtained your SSL certificate, you can install it on your server following the instructions provided by your web server software or hosting provider. Remember to keep your private key secure and regularly renew your SSL certificate to maintain the highest level of security.
By using SSL, you can not only safeguard your visitors’ data and privacy, but also enhance your website’s reputation, trustworthiness, and search engine visibility. SSL is not just a best practice, but a necessity for any website that wants to thrive in the digital age. So, don’t wait any longer, get your SSL certificate today and start reaping the benefits of a secure website!
