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2024

  • 3 min read

Embracing Challenges and Transforming My Career Path

Self-reflection is really helpful for both personal and work growth. When you reflect regularly, you get a better understanding of your actions and decisions. Writing down your thoughts can improve how well you know yourself and show you where you can get better.

Writing in a journal is one way to reflect. It helps you organize your thoughts, keep track of your progress, and be more likely to succeed. It makes your goals clear and helps you learn on purpose. In the end, self-reflection improves your ability to make decisions and gives you the knowledge you need to handle challenges better. This leads to lasting success and personal satisfaction.

As the only child from a family in Hong Kong, my educational and professional journey has been unique. I have a bachelor's degree in Chemistry, master's degrees in Computer Science and Business Administration, and certifications in AWS, Kubernetes, and TOGAF.

Moving Through Roles

I started as a Software Engineer, became a Technical Lead, and now I am a Solution Architect. I've had a real impact through my work, like launching important financial products, developing mobile apps and servers, and building user-friendly front-end applications.

Using My Strengths

I learn quickly and am always curious, which helps me solve problems in different areas. Diving deep into business, technology, and personal development has not only widened my knowledge but also improved my skills in cloud technologies like AWS and Kubernetes, programming in Python and JavaScript, and managing important infrastructure.

My Soft Skills

Even though I'm shy, I've gotten good at public speaking, experimenting, writing, and communicating. These skills are crucial in my consulting and banking jobs. They help me explain complex tech ideas and influence important decisions.

Energized by Challenges

I love tackling tough tech problems, whether it's fixing software deployment issues or a broken Bluetooth system. I also enjoy writing, coding, and making engaging presentations. I get a lot of satisfaction from turning complex ideas into real solutions.

A Future in Consulting

My ongoing interest in solving problems points to a promising future in consulting. I can offer both tech solutions and strategic advice. I enjoy putting theory into practice, especially in projects that upgrade old systems to new technologies.

Career Goals and Moving Forward

My current goal is to find opportunities where I can use what I've learned in real projects, ideally transforming old systems with new technologies. Connecting with industry experts to understand their challenges is key.

I need to keep adding to my skills, choosing and using the right tools for each job. Another big challenge is convincing senior management of my solutions. I plan to get better at telling stories and aligning my ideas with what the business needs.

Conclusion

This self-reflection isn't just about looking inward; it's a plan for my future. It shows where I am, where I want to go, and how I plan to get there. By embracing my nature, using my diverse skills, and facing challenges directly, I am creating a path that's about solving problems and making a big impact.

  • in zh
  • 1 min read

擁抱挑戰並轉變我的職業生涯路徑

自我反思對個人和工作成長都非常有幫助。當你定期反思時，你會更好地理解你的行為和決策。寫下你的想法可以提高你了解自己的程度，並顯示你可以變得更好的地方。

寫日記是一種反思的方式，它可以幫助你整理思緒，追蹤進度，更有可能成功。它使你的目標明確，並幫助你有目的地學習。最後，自我反思提高了你的決策能力，並給了你應對挑戰的知識。這將導致持久的成功和個人滿足。

作為來自香港的一個獨生子，我的教育和職業之旅獨一無二。我擁有化學學士學位，計算機科學和商業管理碩士學位，以及AWS、Kubernetes和TOGAF的認證。

職位之轉變

我從軟件工程師開始，成為技術主管，現在我是解決方案架構師。我通過我的工作產生了實際影響，比如推出重要的金融產品，開發手機應用和服務器，以及構建用戶友好的前端應用程序。

利用我的優勢

我學習迅速且總是充滿好奇心，這幫助我在多個領域解決問題。深入研究商業，技術和個人發展不僅擴大了知識，也提高了我的雲技術（如AWS和Kubernetes）、Python和JavaScript編程、以及管理重要基礎設施的技能。

我的軟技能

即使我很害羞，我在公開演講，實踐，寫作，和溝通上進步了許多。這些技能在我的咨詢和銀行工作中起著關鍵性的作用。他們幫助我解釋复雜技術的觀念並影響決策。

由挑戰激發能量

我喜歡解決技術問題，無論是修复軟件部署問題还是藍牙系統失靈。我也熱愛寫作，編碼，做吸引人的演示文稿。我在將複雜的思想轉化為實際解決方案中獲得了很多滿足感。

顧問的未來

我對解決問題的持久興趣指向了咨詢的有前途的未來。我既能提供技術解決方案，也能提供策略建議。我享受把理論付諸實踐，尤其是在將舊系統升級為新技術的項目中。

職業目標和前進方向

我的目前目標是找到我可以在實際項目中使用我所學知識的機會，理想情況下用新技術改變舊系統。與行業專家聯繫以了解他們的挑戰非常重要。

我需要繼續增加我的技能，為每項工作選擇並使用正確的工具。另一個大挑戰是說服高層管理人員接受我的解決方案。我計劃幫助我能更好地講故事，並使我的想法與公司需求保持一致。

結論

這種自我反思不只是自我內省，這也是我未來的計劃。它顯示出我現在的位置，我想去哪，以及我打算如何去那。通過擁抱自我，運用我多樣的技能，並正面應對挑戰，我正在創建一條解決問題和產生巨大影響的路徑。

  • 3 min read

The Essential Approach to Master Enterprise Architecture

In the realm of IT architecture, understanding what sets a distinguished architect apart from their peers involves more than a mere glance at their job description. This exploration into the professional journey of an IT architect reveals that, much like a three-legged stool, a stable career in architecture rests on three fundamental elements: skill, impact, and leadership.

The Foundation: Skill

Skill is the bedrock of any architect's career. It encompasses not just the acquisition of knowledge but the adept application of this knowledge to solve real-world problems. Just as a craftsman possesses a chest full of tools, an architect's skills involve selecting the right tool at the right time. Whether it's deciding on service granularity in a complex microservices architecture or choosing the appropriate technologies like Docker, the key lies in the application. Professional certifications often verify this knowledge, but true skill is demonstrated through practical application.

Building Upon Impact

Once skills are honed, the focus shifts to impact—specifically, how these skills benefit the business. This could mean driving additional revenue or reducing costs, achieving faster market times, or integrating new requirements into product cycles effectively. Architects must avoid the trap of retreating into theoretical planning, often dubbed "PowerPoint-land," and instead engage in rational and disciplined decision-making that translates skills into tangible business outcomes.

Elevating Through Leadership

The pinnacle of an architect's journey is leadership. This doesn't merely involve leading projects but also mentoring the next generation, advancing the field, and sharing knowledge through various channels such as academic publications, conference talks, and blogs. Leadership is about expanding influence beyond individual projects to shape the broader architectural practice.

Interestingly, the act of mentoring itself serves a dual purpose: it not only accelerates the development of junior architects but also deepens the mentor’s own understanding and adaptability to new challenges and technologies. Senior architects, like IBM distinguished engineers and fellows, are expected to give back to both the community and the industry, further solidifying their leadership role.

The Interconnected Cycle

These three facets—skill, impact, and leadership—do not operate in isolation. They form a virtuous cycle, continuously feeding into and reinforcing each other. As architects apply their skills to create impact, they identify which skills are most valuable and where to focus their learning efforts. Leadership activities then amplify these impacts, enabling architects to scale their influence horizontally by sharing their knowledge and experience with others.

This cycle is not a one-time journey but a continuous loop that evolves with changing technologies and architectural styles. For instance, a seasoned architect in relational databases might need to delve into NoSQL databases to stay relevant, often learning these new skills much faster due to their foundational knowledge.

Conclusion: The Lasting Role of an Architect

Contrary to some career paths where progression might mean moving away from the original discipline, in architecture, the apex of professional growth often means remaining deeply engaged in the field. This is akin to other high-skill professions like medicine or law, where senior professionals continue to practice their craft at advanced levels, enriching their expertise and contributing to their fields.

In closing, the role of an architect is not just about building structures or systems but about fostering a rich, impactful, and continuously evolving career that benefits both the individual and the wider industry. As architects, the call to keep architecting is not just a professional obligation but a perpetual opportunity for growth and influence.

  • in zh
  • 1 min read

掌握企業架構的核心方法

在 IT 架構的領域中，理解區別出色架構師與其同行的因素，需要的不僅僅是對他們職位描述的簡單瀏覽。對 IT 架構師的專業歷程的探討揭示，穩定的架構職業生涯就如同三腿凳，建立在三個基本元素：技能、影響力和領導力。

基礎：技能

技能是任何架構師職業生涯的基石。它不僅包括知識的獲取，還包括熟練地應用這些知識來解決現實問題。就像工匠擁有一箱充滿工具，架構師的技能涉及到在合適的時候選擇合適的工具。無論是在複雜的微服務架構中決定服務粒度，還是選擇適當的技術如 Docker，關鍵在於應用。專業認證通常可以驗證這些知識，但真正的技能是通過實踐應用來展示的。

影響力的建立

一旦技能磨練得宜，焦點便轉向影響力——確切來說，是這些技能如何使業務受益。這可能意味著驅動額外收入或降低成本，實現更快的市場時間，或者有效地整合新要求到產品周期中。架構師必須避免陷入理論規劃的陷阱，常被稱為"PowerPoint-land"，而應理性和有紀律的做出決策，將技能轉化為實 tangible 的業務成果。

通過領導力提升

架構師旅程的頂峰是領導力。這不僅僅涉及到領導專案，還有指導下一代，推進領域，和透過各種途徑如學術出版物、會議講座和博客分享知識。領導力是關於擴大影響力，超越個別專案，形塑更廣泛的架構實踐。

有趣的是，指導自身就有雙重目的：它不僅加速了初級架構師的發展，也深化了導師對新挑戰和技術的理解和適應能力。像 IBM 區分工程師和院士等資深架構師，被期待回饋給社區和行業，進一步鞏固他們的領導角色。

環環相扣的循環

這三個方面--技能、影響力和領導力--並非孤立運作。他們形成了一個善循環，不斷地相互餵食和強化。架構師將他們的技能應用於創造影響力時，他們會找出哪些技能最有價值，並知道應該在哪裡努力學習。領導力活動則放大這些影響，使架構師有機會通過與他人分享他們的知識和經驗，橫向擴大他們的影響力。

這個循環並不是一次性的旅程，而是隨著技術和架構風格的變化而持續演變的循環。例如，一位經驗豐富的關係數據庫架構師可能需要深入 NoSQL 數據庫以保持相關性，並且通常會由於其基礎知識而更快地學習這些新技能。

結論：架構師的持久角色

與某些職業道路相反，進步可能意味著遠離原始學科，在架構中，專業成長的頂峰往往意味著深深地參與到該領域中。這與其它高技能專業，如醫學或法律，是相似的，資深專業者繼續在高水平上實踐他們的手藝，致力於將他們的專長和貢獻注入到他們的領域中。

總的來說，架構師的角色不僅僅是建立結構或系統，而是凝養一種豐富、有影響力並持續進化的職業生涯，不僅使個人受益，也使整個行業受益。作為架構師，繼續努力打造架構不僅僅是專業義務，更是永恆的成長和影響力的機會。

  • 3 min read

Lessons Learned from a Decade of Startup Architecture and Organizational Design

Designing the architecture and organizational structure of a startup is a nuanced journey, filled with challenges and learnings. Over the past decade, my experience with a platform operating across multiple markets in Southeast Asia has provided us with profound insights into the anatomy of startup success and the pitfalls to avoid.

The Startup Anatomy

Startups typically operate with high autonomy and low governance. This structure is characterized by limited resources, a flat organizational hierarchy, and a strong entrepreneurial spirit. Such environments prioritize growth and adaptability, allowing startups to pivot quickly but often at the cost of long-term planning.

Challenges Encountered

Our journey wasn't without its challenges:

  • High attrition rates and disengagement among the team were frequent.
  • Frequent downtimes plagued our technology stack.
  • Dependence on monolithic architectures made scaling and maintenance difficult.
  • We became a feature factory, creating many features that were rarely, if ever, used.

Strategic Solutions: Picking the Right Battles

Preventing Feature Bloat

We implemented a rigorous process to vet all business requests, which involved thorough impact and effort analysis. Commitment from business teams before moving forward was essential to ensure alignment and avoid unnecessary features.

Setting Common and Transparent Goals

We aligned on a common roadmap and revisited our goals through regular follow-ups and accountability checks. This transparency helped keep everyone on the same page and focused on our most critical objectives.

Advocacy and Leadership

Leading by example was crucial. We ensured that our processes were transparent and fair, and we advocated for projects that we truly believed in, making their benefits clear and accessible to everyone.

Addressing Technical Debt

Technical debt was a significant hurdle, often overlooked because it didn't directly tie into immediate business outcomes. However, addressing technical debt was critical as it:

  • Reduced development time and sped up market time.
  • Enhanced system reliability, reducing costly downtimes.
  • Improved user experience, leading to potential revenue increases.
  • Fostered better developer experiences, increasing retention rates.

Connecting Code to Business

We emphasized articulating the impact of technical improvements in the same way we handled feature development. This strategy involved sharing knowledge extensively and creating organizational transparency around goals and product strategies, enhancing everyone's understanding of their contributions to broader objectives.

Supporting Through Culture

Making Good Work Visible

We held regular show-and-tells, town halls, and awarded recognitions to highlight excellent work, promoting a culture of appreciation and visibility.

Promoting Knowledge Sharing

We established permanent, cross-functional teams to foster ongoing learning and collaboration across different functions, enhancing our team's overall effectiveness and cohesion.

Ecosystem Mindset

From the hiring process to daily operations, we integrated an ecosystem mindset, focusing not just on coding skills but also on architectural understanding and a product-oriented approach.

Organizing for Fast Flow

We adopted the four fundamental team topologies — stream-aligned, enabling, complicated subsystem, and platform teams — to organize our business and technology teams effectively. This structure, coupled with three core interaction modes, facilitated better flow and responsiveness to customer needs.

Governance and Reliability Improvements

We invested heavily in observability and defined clear criteria for microservice readiness, ensuring our infrastructure could support our growth and innovation needs sustainably.

Key Lessons

Our journey taught us the importance of:

  • Creating alignment through transparent and equitable planning.
  • Applying customer-centric processes internally.
  • Experimenting and measuring the impact of architectural changes.
  • Investing in observability with a product mindset.

In conclusion, the decade-long journey through startup landscape taught us invaluable lessons on balancing growth with sustainability, innovation with reliability, and autonomy with alignment. These insights not only shaped our technical strategies but also our organizational culture, propelling us towards a more integrated, resilient future.

  • in zh
  • 1 min read

從十年創業架構與組織設計的經驗教訓

設計啟動公司的架構與組織結構是一個充滿挑戰和學習的微妙歷程。過去十年，在東南亞多個市場運營的平台經驗給我們提供了對啟動公司成功的解剖以及應規避的陷阱的深刻洞見。

啟動公司的結構

啟動公司通常以高自主性和低治理結構運作。此結構的特點是資源有限，組織階層扁平，並充滿強烈的創業精神。這樣的環境優先考慮增長和適應性，使得啟動公司能夠快速轉型，但往往以長期計劃為代價。

遭遇的挑戰

我們的旅程並非一帆風順：

  • 團隊的高流失率和缺乏參與感很常見。
  • 我們的技術堆棧經常遭受頻繁的停機時間。
  • 依賴單體架構使得規模化和維護變得困難。
  • 我們變成了一個功能工廠，創建了很多很少或從未使用的功能。

策略解決方案：挑選正確的戰鬥

防止功能膨脹

我們實施了一種嚴格的業務請求審核過程，涉及到徹底的影響和努力分析。在向前推進之前，需要業務團隊的承諾，以確保對齊並避免不必要的功能。

設定共同且透明的目標

我們對共同的路線圖達成一致，並通過定期的跟進和領導難受的檢查，以重訪我們的目標。這種透明度有助於讓每個人保持同一頁，並專注於我們最重要的目標。

倡導和領導

以身作則是至關重要的。我們確保我們的流程是透明和公平的，我們為我們真正相信的項目倡導，讓它們的好處對每個人都清晰可見。

解決技術債務

技術債務是一個重大的障礙，因為它並沒有直接與即時的業務結果掛鉤。然而，解決技術債務是至關重要的，因為它：

  • 縮短開發時間，加快上市時間。
  • 提高系統的可靠性，減少昂貴的停機時間。
  • 改善使用者體驗，可能增加收入。
  • 促進更好的開發者體驗，提高保留率。

連接代碼與業務

我們強調以同樣處理功能開發的方式來說明技術改進的影響。這個策略涉及到廣泛的知識共享，並在目標和產品策略周圍創建組織透明度，增強每個人對他們對更廣泛目標的貢獻的了解。

通過文化提供支持

讓優秀的工作可見

我們定期舉辦展示和講說，城鎮廳，並給予認可來突出優秀的工作，提升欣賞和可見性的文化。

促進知識分享

我們建立了常設的，跨職能的團隊，以促進不同功能間的持續學習和協作，提高我們團隊的整體效能和凝聚力。

生態系統思維

從招聘過程到日常運作，我們都融入了生態系統思維，不僅關注編碼技能，也關注架構理解和產品導向的方法。

組織快速流動

我們採用了四種基本的團隊拓撲 - 流對齊的，啟用的，複雜的子系統，和平台團隊 - 來有效地組織我們的業務和技術團隊。這種結構，配合三種核心互動模式，促進了對客戶需求的更好流動性和反應能力。

治理和可靠性改進

我們大力投資於觀察性，並為微服務的準備定義了清晰的條件，確保我們的基礎設施可以持續支援我們的增長和創新需求。

關鍵教訓

我們的旅程教會我們重要的是：

  • 通過透明和公平的規劃創造一致性。
  • 內部落實以客戶為中心的流程。
  • 實驗和衡量架構變更的影響。
  • 以產品思維投資於可觀察性。

總的來說，十年的啟動公司經驗教會我們如何平衡增長與可持續性，創新與可靠性，自主性與一致性的寶貴教訓。這些洞見不只形塑了我們的技術策略，也形塑了我們的組織文化，推動我們朝向一個更整合，更韌性的未來。

  • 3 min read

Transforming the Singapore Cruise Centre with Digital Architecture

The Singapore Cruise Centre (SCC) has been a cornerstone of maritime passenger services since its inception in 1991. Owned entirely by Maple Tree/Temasek, SCC operates international cruise and regional ferry terminals with a vision to be the world's leading cruise and ferry terminal operator. Their mission encompasses providing efficient, innovative, and safe terminal services, enhancing waterfront developments, and being a preferred international partner in terminal management and consultancy.

Their Transformation Journey

In the ever-evolving landscape of maritime passenger services, SCC is dedicated to modernizing their operations and enhancing the customer experience. This commitment is evident in their adoption of the Cruise and Ferry Operating System (CFOS), the Integrated Operations Center (IOC), and a focus on digital twins for operational management. These technologies and strategies are part of their broader digital transformation aimed at improving efficiency and security while fostering sustainable practices.

Role of Digital Architecture in Their Journey

Digital Architecture (DA) plays a pivotal role in their transformation by providing a structured approach to integrate and optimize their technological and operational frameworks. DA acts as the backbone that supports SCC's alignment with their strategic business goals, ensuring that their IT landscape not only supports but also drives their business objectives forward.

Components of Their Digital Architecture

Their DA is composed of several key components:

  • Business Architecture (BA): Aligns IT infrastructure with business goals for better management and reusability.
  • Data Architecture (DA): Manages data from collection to disposal, ensuring it is handled securely and efficiently.
  • Application Architecture (AA): Defines the functional and non-functional requirements of their software applications.
  • Technology Architecture (TA): Oversees their hardware and software infrastructure, ensuring they meet the needs of their operations.
  • Security Architecture: Ensures that all digital and physical assets are protected from external and internal threats.

Defining, Executing, and Maintaining DA Components

To effectively manage these components, they employ a cycle of continuous improvement:

  1. Define: Establish clear objectives and blueprints for each component based on business needs and goals.
  2. Execute: Implement solutions according to the defined architectures, ensuring alignment with their overall business strategy.
  3. Maintain: Regularly review and update the architectures to adapt to new challenges and opportunities, treating the enterprise architecture as a living document.

Wrap Up and Key Takeaways

The journey of digital transformation at SCC is both ambitious and necessary, aiming to enhance customer experiences and operational efficiencies through a comprehensive digital architecture framework. The key takeaways from their journey are:

  • Strategic Alignment: Their digital architecture is meticulously aligned with their business objectives, ensuring every technological investment and initiative supports their broader business goals.
  • Agility and Adaptability: Their architectures are designed to support a quick and adaptive response to market changes and operational demands.
  • Sustainability and Innovation: Emphasizing sustainable practices and innovative solutions is at the heart of their digital transformation efforts.

By modernizing their terminals and adopting advanced digital solutions, SCC is setting a benchmark in the maritime industry, enhancing guest experiences, and leading the way toward a more integrated and sustainable future in maritime passenger services.

  • in zh
  • 1 min read

將新加坡郵輪中心通過數字化建築進行改造

新加坡郵輪中心(SCC)自1991年成立以來，一直是海洋乘客服務的重要基石。SCC完全由楓樹／淡馬錫擁有，經營國際郵輪和區域渡輪碼頭，並懷抱著成為全球領先的郵輪和渡輪碼頭運營商的願景。他們的使命包括提供高效、創新和安全的碼頭服務，增強濱水區的發展，並成為碼頭管理和諮詢的首選國際合作夥伴。

他們的轉型之旅

在不斷變化的海洋乘客服務景觀中，SCC致力於現代化營運並提升客戶體驗。他們通過採納郵輪和渡輪營運系統 (CFOS)、集成運營中心 (IOC)以及專注於數字雙生的營運管理，體現了這一承諾。這些技術和策略是他們更廣泛的數位化轉型的一部分，旨在提高效率和安全性，同時促進可持續的實踐。

數位化建築在他們的轉型之旅中的角色

數位化建築(DA)在他們的轉型中起著關鍵的作用，提供了一種結構化的方法來整合和優化他們的技術和營運框架。DA充當支援SCC與其戰略業務目標對齊的支柱，確保它們的IT環景不僅支援，而且推動他們的業務目標向前。

他們數位化建築的組成部分

他們的DA由幾個關鍵部分組成：

  • 商業建築(BA)：將IT基礎設施與業務目標對齊，以實現更好的管理和重用。
  • 數據建築(DA)：從收集到處置管理數據，確保安全有效地處理。
  • 應用程式建築(AA)：定義軟體應用的功能和非功能需求。
  • 技術建築(TA)：監督他們的硬件和軟體基礎設施，以確保可滿足其營運需求。
  • 安全建築：確保所有數位和實體資產免於外部和內部威脅。

定義、執行、維護DA組成部分

為了有效管理這些組件，他們採用持續改進的循環：

  1. 定義：根據業務需求和目標，為每個組件確立清晰的目標和藍圖。
  2. 執行：根據定義的建築實施解決方案，確保符合他們的整體商業策略。
  3. 維護：定期審查和更新建築，以適應新的挑戰和機會，將企業建築視為活躍的文件。

總結與關鍵得到

SCC的數位化轉型之旅雄心勃勃，且必要，目的是通過全面的數位化建築框架來提升客戶體驗和營運效率。他們旅程的主要得到包括：

  • 策略對齊：他們的數位建築與業務目標精確對齊，確保每個技術投資和倡議都支援他們的更廣泛業務目標。
  • 敏捷性和適應性：他們的建築被設計成可以對市場變化和營運需求做出快速和適應性的回應。
  • 可持續性和創新：強調可持續實踐和創新解決方案是他們數位化轉型努力的核心。

通過現代化他們的碼頭和採用先進的數位解決方案，SCC正在海洋行業中設立標杆，提升客人的體驗，並引領著朝向在海洋乘客服務中更為整合和可持續的未來邁進。

  • 3 min read

Understanding MutatingWebhook in Kubernetes - Enhancing Resource Management

Kubernetes, with its extensive architecture, provides various mechanisms to manage and modify resources dynamically. One such powerful feature is the MutatingWebhook, a tool that intercepts requests to the Kubernetes API server before a resource is saved, and allows for modifications to that resource. This capability is critical for enforcing policies, managing resources effectively, and introducing custom behavior without changing existing application code. In this blog post, we’ll dive into what a MutatingWebhook is, how it works, and the benefits it brings to Kubernetes environments.

What is a MutatingWebhook?

A MutatingWebhook is part of Kubernetes' admission controllers, which are plugins that act before resources are created or updated. These controllers can mutate (modify) the resource before it is persisted to the Kubernetes object store. The MutatingWebhook specifically allows you to inject custom logic into the admission control process by deploying webhook servers that Kubernetes calls with information about requested changes to resources.

How Does a MutatingWebhook Work?

The MutatingWebhook works by intercepting API requests based on configured rules. Here's a simplified workflow:

  1. API Request: When a resource creation or update request is made, it triggers the admission control phase.
  2. Webhook Configuration: Kubernetes checks the MutatingWebhookConfiguration, which defines what types of operations (e.g., CREATE, UPDATE) and resources (e.g., Pods, Deployments) the webhook should apply to.
  3. Calling the Webhook: If the request matches the rules, Kubernetes sends the resource object to the MutatingWebhook’s server.
  4. Webhook Server Processing: The server processes the request, possibly modifying the resource. It then returns the modified object and a response indicating whether the mutation was successful.
  5. Admission Review: The API server reviews the webhook’s response, applies the modifications if approved, and then proceeds with storing the resource.
Benefits of Using a MutatingWebhook
  • Dynamic Configuration: It enables dynamic modification of objects at runtime, which is essential for environments that require high flexibility in resource management.
  • Policy Enforcement: Organizations can enforce custom policies, such as adding specific labels, annotations, or environment variables to Pods automatically.
  • Security Enhancements: It can be used to enhance security by injecting sidecar containers that handle tasks like logging, monitoring, or network traffic control.
  • Simplification of Operations: By automating modifications, it reduces the need for manual configurations and helps maintain consistency across the environment.
Best Practices and Considerations
  • Testing: Thorough testing is crucial as errors in webhook logic can lead to unexpected behaviors or resource unavailability.
  • Timeouts: Webhook timeouts should be carefully configured to avoid slowing down the API server in case the webhook server takes too long to respond.
  • Failure Policy: You can define failure policies to decide whether to ignore errors and proceed with the API request or fail outright, depending on the criticality of the webhook.
  • Security: Secure your webhook service using TLS, and consider using authentication and authorization mechanisms to ensure that only the API server can invoke the webhook.
Conclusion

MutatingWebhooks are a powerful tool in the Kubernetes ecosystem, offering flexibility and control over how resources are modified and managed. They enable developers and operators to implement complex operational requirements and policies dynamically and securely. As with any powerful tool, they require careful implementation and management to ensure they contribute positively to the Kubernetes environment’s stability and efficiency.

By leveraging MutatingWebhooks, organizations can achieve a more automated, secure, and compliant infrastructure, crucial for managing modern cloud-native applications. Whether you’re enforcing custom policies or injecting essential functionalities into Pods, MutatingWebhooks provide a pathway to more dynamic and effective Kubernetes resource management.

  • in zh
  • 1 min read

理解Kubernetes中的變更Webhook - 提升資源管理

Kubernetes擁有其廣泛的架構，提供各種機制來動態管理和修改資源。變更Webhook（MutatingWebhook）就是其中一種強大的功能，這是一種可以攔截到Kubernetes API伺服器保存資源之前的要求，並允許對該資源進行修改的工具。這種能力對於執行政策，有效地管理資源，以及在不修改現有應用程式碼的情況下引入自定義行為至關重要。在這篇博客文章中，我們將深入探討變更Webhook是什麼，它是如何工作的，以及它為Kubernetes環境帶來的好處。

什麼是MutatingWebhook？

變更Webhook是Kubernetes' admission controllers的一部分，這些插件在資源被創建或更新時起作用。這些控制器可以在將資源持久化到Kubernetes對象存儲之前改變（修改）資源。變更Webhook特別允許你通過部署Webhook伺服器將自定義邏輯注入到接納控制過程中，Kubernetes會用有關對資源的更動的請求資訊來呼叫這些伺服器。

變更Webhook是如何運作的？

變更Webhook的運作方式是根據配置規則攔截API請求。 下面是一個簡化的工作流程：

  1. API請求： 當有資源創建或更新請求產生時，會觸發接納控制階段。
  2. Webhook配置： Kubernetes檢查MutatingWebhookConfiguration ，這定義了webhook應適用於哪種類型的操作（例如，創建，更新）和資源（例如Pods，Deployments）。
  3. 呼叫Webhook： 如果請求符合規則，Kubernetes則將資源對象發送到MutatingWebhook的伺服器。
  4. Webhook伺服器處理： 伺服器處理該請求，可能會修改資源。然後將修改後的對象和回應一起回傳，回應指出該變更是否成功。
  5. 接納審核： API伺服器審核webhook的回應，如果被核准，則應用修改，然後繼續儲存資源。
使用變更Webhook的好處
  • 動態配置： 可以在運行時動態修改對象，對於需要在資源管理中具有高靈活性的環境至關重要。
  • 政策執行： 組織可以強制執行自定義政策，例如自動將特定的標籤，注釋或環境變量添加到Pods中。
  • 安全增強： 它可以用於提升安全性，通過注入負責處理日誌記錄，監控或網絡流量控制等任務的側車容器。
  • 簡化操作： 通過自動化修改，可以減少手動配置的需求，並幫助維護環境一致性。
最佳實踐和考慮事項
  • 測試： 仔細的測試至關重要，因為Webhook邏輯中的錯誤可能導致非預期行為或資源無法使用。
  • 超時： 應謹慎配置webhook超時以避免在webhook伺服器回應過慢時減慢API伺服器的速度。
  • 失敗策略： 你可以定義失敗策略以決定是否忽略錯誤並繼續API請求，或者根據Webhook的重要性直接失敗。
  • 安全： 使用TLS保護你的Webhook服務，並考慮使用身份驗證和授權機制以確保只有API伺服器可以調用Webhook。
結論

變更Webhooks是Kubernetes生態系統中的一個強大工具，提供了對如何修改和管理資源的靈活性和控制權。它們使開發人員和操作員能夠動態和安全地實現複雜的操作要求和政策。和任何強大的工具一樣，它們需要謹慎的實施和管理，以確保它們對Kubernetes環境的穩定性和效率做出積極的貢獻。

通過利用變更Webhooks，組織可以實現更自動化、更安全、更符合規定的基礎設施，對於管理現代雲原生應用非常關鍵。無論你是在強制執行自定義政策，還是將必要的功能注入Pods，變更Webhooks都提供了更動態、更有效的Kubernetes資源管理的途徑。