Cert manager

In today’s digital era, securing web applications has become a top priority for all organizations, irrespective of their size and the domain they operate in. When these applications are hosted on a Kubernetes cluster, a solution like cert-manager becomes an invaluable tool for managing certificates and enhancing security.

Cert-manager is a Kubernetes add-on that automates the management and issuance of TLS certificates. It allows us to set up and renew certificates automatically, freeing us from the hassle of manual management and ensuring our web applications remain secure at all times.

Setting up cert-manager on a Kubernetes cluster usually involves a few key steps. First, we need to install cert-manager and its Custom Resource Definitions (CRDs) onto the cluster. This is typically done using Helm, a package manager for Kubernetes, or directly via kubectl apply command.

Next, we must configure an issuer or cluster issuer, which is responsible for issuing certificates. There are several options for the issuer including Let’s Encrypt, a free, automated, and open certificate authority that provides certificates recognized by most modern web browsers.

Once we’ve configured an issuer, we can then define a Certificate resource which will issue the certificate. In this resource, we mention details like the secret name, domain names covered by the certificate, and the issuer.

When a certificate request is made, cert-manager talks to the issuer, gets a certificate for the specified domain name, and stores it in a secret in the Kubernetes cluster. This secret is then used by the ingress controller to enable TLS on the path specified.

In a nutshell, cert-manager significantly simplifies the process of securing web applications hosted on a Kubernetes cluster by automating certificate management tasks. Its seamless integration with Kubernetes and support for various issuers make it a versatile tool for enhancing the security posture of your web applications.

In the realm of web application security, the deployment of cert-manager on your Kubernetes cluster is a game-changer. As a native Kubernetes certificate management controller, cert-manager is purpose-built to automate the management of x509 certificates. This covers everything from issuance and renewal to expiration.

Initiating the deployment process involves adding the Jetstack Helm repository to your local Helm client using the helm repo add command. Jetstack, the force behind cert-manager, continually maintains and updates this repository with the latest cert-manager Helm chart versions. By doing so, you’re able to deploy the most up-to-date cert-manager version equipped with the newest features, enhancements, and security patches.

Updating your local Helm chart repository cache is the next step. This is achievable with the helm repo update command, serving to boost performance and reduce the number of requests to remote chart repositories. Once these steps are completed, you’re ready to install the cert-manager Helm chart in your Kubernetes environment. This primes you for the next stage of the journey towards automated certificate management.

The actual installation of cert-manager into your Kubernetes cluster involves using the helm install command with several arguments that specify the name of the release (cert-manager), the chart to install (jetstack/cert-manager), the Kubernetes namespace to install into (cert-manager), the specific version of the chart to install (v1.12.1), and a flag to install Custom Resource Definitions (CRDs) for cert-manager. If the namespace does not exist, it will be created.

Once you’ve successfully installed cert-manager, it’s good practice to check all the resources in the cert-manager namespace to ensure that everything is running as expected. The kubectl get all command can help you confirm the status of all the components.

In the upcoming section of this blog post, we’ll be focusing on how to configure cert-manager to meet your unique needs. Stay tuned to learn more about the exciting world of automated certificate management within Kubernetes!

helm repo add jetstack https://charts.jetstack.io
helm repo update

helm install \
  cert-manager jetstack/cert-manager \
  --namespace cert-manager \
  --create-namespace \
  --version v1.12.1 \
  --set installCRDs=true

kubectl get all -n cert-manager

To keep pace with the rapidly evolving cybersecurity landscape, it’s crucial to maintain your tools and systems at their latest versions. Not only do these versions come with new features and improvements, but they also include vital security patches that can help fortify your defenses. In this context, the process of upgrading cert-manager, a critical tool in your Kubernetes arsenal for certificate management, deserves a special mention.

Commencing the cert-manager upgrade process requires an update of your local Helm chart repository cache with the helm repo update command. This operation fetches the latest chart information from the remote Helm chart repositories. By doing this, you ensure you have access to the latest versions of the chart, including any recent updates or patches.

The actual cert-manager upgrade is executed using the helm upgrade command, an incredibly powerful tool within the Helm utility belt. This command allows you to upgrade a release to a new version of a chart or to update its configuration settings.

When performing the cert-manager upgrade, you specify the release’s new version using the --version flag followed by the desired version. The name of the release (cert-manager) and the chart to upgrade (jetstack/cert-manager) are also specified in the command.

Executing these steps will upgrade cert-manager to the latest version. This not only empowers you with the latest features and enhancements from the cert-manager project, but also ensures that your Kubernetes environment is fortified with the latest security protections.

helm repo update
helm upgrade --version <new version> cert-manager jetstack/cert-manager

In the realm of Kubernetes, cert-manager plays a pivotal role, ensuring smooth operations by automating the management and issuance of TLS certificates. However, there could be circumstances where you need to uninstall cert-manager. In this blog post, we delve into the detailed process of uninstalling cert-manager and cleaning up associated resources.

Uninstalling cert-manager from a Kubernetes cluster begins with the helm uninstall command. Helm, the package manager for Kubernetes, includes this command to remove all the Kubernetes components associated with the chart and to delete the release.

However, a simple uninstall command may not remove all Kubernetes resources related to cert-manager. The Helm chart creates several Kubernetes resources, such as roles, service accounts, and jobs, that may need to be explicitly deleted.

For instance, roles such as cert-manager-startupapicheck:create-cert may still exist in the cert-manager namespace. These roles can be removed using the kubectl delete roles command.

Similarly, service accounts like cert-manager-startupapicheck and default in the cert-manager namespace may persist after uninstallation. You can remove these lingering service accounts using the kubectl delete serviceaccount command.

The cert-manager installation also creates jobs in the cert-manager namespace. These jobs can be manually deleted using the kubectl delete jobs command.

Lastly, you may need to remove any role bindings associated with cert-manager. Role bindings like cert-manager-startupapicheck:create-cert in the cert-manager namespace can be deleted using the kubectl delete rolebindings command.

Uninstalling cert-manager and deleting these resources ensure a clean environment, paving the way for a fresh installation if needed. It’s important to follow these steps carefully to avoid complications or issues later on.

In the following sections, we’ll discuss the implications of these operations and offer tips for effectively managing these resources. Join us as we delve deeper into the nuances of Kubernetes resource management.

helm uninstall cert-manager -n cert-manager
kubectl delete roles cert-manager-startupapicheck:create-cert -n cert-manager;
kubectl delete serviceaccount cert-manager-startupapicheck -n cert-manager;
kubectl delete serviceaccount default -n cert-manager;
kubectl delete jobs cert-manager-startupapicheck -n cert-manager;
kubectl delete rolebindings cert-manager-startupapicheck:create-cert -n cert-manager;