How to Install Kubernetes on Ubuntu in 2025?

Kubernetes has become the go-to platform for automating the deployment, scaling, and operation of application containers. With its popularity soaring, more developers and IT professionals are keen to master it. This guide will walk you through the steps to install Kubernetes on Ubuntu in 2025.

Prerequisites

Before diving into the installation process, ensure you have:

• An Ubuntu 20.04 or later system.
• A user account with sudo privileges.
• At least 2GB of RAM, although more is recommended for production environments.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Update Your System

First, update your system to ensure all packages are current. Open your terminal and execute the following commands:

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sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade

2. Install Docker

Kubernetes uses Docker as its container runtime. Install Docker by running:

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sudo apt-get install -y docker.io
sudo systemctl start docker
sudo systemctl enable docker

Verify the Docker installation:

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docker --version

3. Install Kubernetes

Add the Kubernetes APT repository and install the required packages:

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sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install -y apt-transport-https
curl -s https://packages.cloud.google.com/apt/doc/apt-key.gpg | sudo apt-key add -
echo "deb https://apt.kubernetes.io/ kubernetes-xenial main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/kubernetes.list
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install -y kubelet kubeadm kubectl

4. Start Kubernetes

Initialize your Kubernetes cluster with:

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sudo kubeadm init

After the initialization completes, set up your local kubeconfig:

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mkdir -p $HOME/.kube
sudo cp -i /etc/kubernetes/admin.conf $HOME/.kube/config
sudo chown $(id -u):$(id -g) $HOME/.kube/config

5. Deploy a Pod Network

Kubernetes requires a networking solution. Choose and deploy one, like Flannel, with:

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kubectl apply -f https://raw.githubusercontent.com/coreos/flannel/master/Documentation/kube-flannel.yml

Your Kubernetes installation is now complete! You can create and manage your containers.

Additional Resources

To further enhance your Kubernetes capabilities, consider exploring helm charts for efficient Kubernetes management:

• Learn How to Manage Kubernetes Helm Chart Configurations.
• Dive into a Kubernetes Helm Chart Tutorial.
• Explore more on Kubernetes Management.

By mastering these tools and processes, you’ll be well-equipped to manage complex Kubernetes deployments efficiently.