Kubernetes: A system for running and managing many containers across many servers — starting them, restarting failed ones and adding more when needed. Often written K8s.
Example
When traffic increases, Kubernetes automatically starts more copies of your application’s container.
Why Kubernetes matters for IT interns
You don’t need to master it as an intern, but you will hear it often in larger companies.
Where you will hear it
You will hear this term when your team builds, deploys, and runs software on servers and cloud platforms. If someone uses it and you are not sure what they mean in your project, it is completely fine to ask; every team uses terms a little differently.
Related terms
- Docker: A popular tool for packaging an application with everything it needs into a container, so it runs the same…
- Environment: A separate setup where an application runs for a specific purpose — such as development, testing, staging or…
- Google Cloud: Google’s cloud platform (often called GCP), with services for computing, storage, data analytics and AI.
- Microsoft Azure: Microsoft’s cloud platform, offering services such as virtual machines, databases, storage and AI tools.
- Monitoring: Continuously tracking an application’s health — errors, speed and usage — and alerting the team when…
- Scalability: A system’s ability to handle more users or data by adding resources, without slowing down or breaking.
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Related guides
Frequently asked questions
What is Kubernetes?
A system for running and managing many containers across many servers — starting them, restarting failed ones and adding more when needed. Often written K8s.
What is an example of Kubernetes?
When traffic increases, Kubernetes automatically starts more copies of your application’s container.
Why does Kubernetes matter for IT interns?
You don’t need to master it as an intern, but you will hear it often in larger companies.
Explore more internship terms
The IT Internship Glossary explains 199 terms you will hear before and during your internship, with simple definitions and real examples.
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About the author
Dhaivat has 16+ years of experience in the IT industry, working on AI and cloud technologies, project delivery, and engineering leadership. He has interviewed and mentored many interns, wrote The Lost Intern, and runs the non-commercial Career Impact Initiative, mentoring students for free.