* [Topics](/en/topics "Topics") * [Containers](/en/topics/containers "Containers") * What is the Kubernetes API? What is the Kubernetes API? =========================== Published June 19, 2020•*2*-minute read Copy URL Jump to section --------------- OverviewKubernetesClustersAPI and operatorWhy choose Red Hat? Overview -------- The Kubernetes API is the front end of the Kubernetes control plane and is how users interact with their Kubernetes cluster. The API (application programming interface) server determines if a request is valid and then processes it. In essence, the API is the interface used to manage, create, and configure Kubernetes clusters. It's how the users, external components, and parts of your cluster all communicate with each other. At the center of the Kubernetes control plane is the API server and the HTTP API that it exposes, allowing you to query and manipulate the state of Kubernetes objects. Kubernetes ---------- To understand the full context of the Kubernetes API, let’s back up and take a high-level look at what [Kubernetes](/en/topics/containers/what-is-kubernetes) is. Kubernetes is an open source platform for orchestrating [containers](/en/topics/containers/whats-a-linux-container). A container is technology that lets you bundle and isolate applications with their entire runtime environment so that it’s easy to move the contained application between stages (development, production, etc.) and environments (on-premise, public cloud, private cloud, hybrid cloud, or multicloud) while retaining full functionality. So as a [container orchestration](/en/topics/containers/what-is-container-orchestration) platform, Kubernetes automates a lot of the manual processes involved in managing, deploying, and scaling containerized apps. By grouping together the machines (physical or virtual servers known as "nodes") running the containerized apps, you create a cluster, which you then manage and orchestrate with Kubernetes. A group of containers running on a single machine or node, and sharing resources, is known as a "pod" though a pod can also only have one container, in which case you can replace the word "pod" with the word "container" and still have the correct concept. [Check out the state of Kubernetes security](/en/resources/kubernetes-adoption-security-market-trends-overview "Kubernetes adoption, security, and market trends report 2024") Red Hat resources ----------------- [Keep reading](/en/resources "Keep reading") Clusters -------- A [Kubernetes cluster](/en/topics/containers/what-is-a-kubernetes-cluster) has 2 parts: the control plane and the application plane. The control plane is where we find the API, which is how the user interacts with the cluster and tells it what to do within the command line, using kubectl (a command line tool). Through the API, end users, the cluster itself, and external components can communicate with each other. Clusters each have a desired state, meaning a state which defines which apps or workloads should be running, as well as other configuration details like which images they use and which resources they need. The desired state of a cluster is set using the API, either through the command line’s kubectl tool or by interacting with the cluster via the API to set or modify the desired state. Kubernetes will automatically [manage your cluster](/en/topics/containers/what-is-kubernetes-cluster-management) to match the desired state. Kubernetes is declarative in that it will always attempt to self-manage and self-heal based on the parameters given to its workloads. The API and Kubernetes operator ------------------------------- A [Kubernetes operator](/en/topics/containers/what-is-a-kubernetes-operator) is a method of packaging, deploying, and managing an app by using the API via kubectl tooling. In Kubernetes, an operator is an application-specific controller that extends the functionality of the Kubernetes API to create, configure, and manage instances of complex applications on behalf of the user. By including domain or app-specific information, an operator makes it possible for Kubernetes to automate the entire life cycle of the software it manages. Why choose Red Hat for Kubernetes? ---------------------------------- As a leader of open source container technology and a creator of multiple tools and products to manage your container infrastructure, Red Hat helps bring Kubernetes and containers to your enterprise. With Red Hat® OpenShift®, you get an open source container platform that is enterprise-ready, with everything you need to manage hybrid cloud and multicloud deployments. We can help you transition your business to the cloud, while still getting the most from your current infrastructure. As part of a single, integrated platform, developers can choose the language, middleware, frameworks, and databases, while also deploying automation to increase efficiency and productivity. [Try Red Hat OpenShift](/en/technologies/cloud-computing/openshift/try-it "product | red hat openshift container platform | try it") Hub The official Red Hat blog ------------------------- Get the latest information about our ecosystem of customers, partners, and communities. [Keep reading](/en/blog "The official Red Hat blog") All Red Hat product trials -------------------------- Our no-cost product trials help you gain hands-on experience, prepare for a certification, or assess if a product is right for your organization. [Keep reading](/en/products/trials "All Red Hat product trials") Keep reading ------------ ### What is a Linux container? Find out more about Linux containers, which are a set of 1 or more processes that are isolated from the rest of the system. [Read the article](/en/topics/containers/whats-a-linux-container "article | what is a linux container?") ### What is container orchestration? Container orchestration automates the deployment, management, scaling, and networking of containers. [Read the article](/en/topics/containers/what-is-container-orchestration "article | what is container orchestration?") ### What is Kubernetes? Kubernetes is a container orchestration platform that eliminates many manual processes involved in deploying and scaling containerized applications. [Read the article](/en/topics/containers/what-is-kubernetes "article | what is kubernetes?") Containers resources -------------------- ### Related content * Blog post [Red Hat Named a Leader in 2025 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Container Management for the Third Consecutive Year](/en/blog/red-hat-named-leader-2025-container-management) * Blog post [Zero trust starts here: Validated patterns for confidential container deployment](/en/blog/validated-patterns-confidential-container-deployment) * Blog post [Deploy sensitive workloads with OpenShift confidential containers](/en/blog/deploy-sensitive-workloads-with-openshift-confidential-containers) * Blog post [Confidential containers on Microsoft Azure with Red Hat OpenShift Sandboxed Containers 1.10 and Red Hat Build of Trustee](/en/blog/confidential-containers-microsoft-azure-red-hat-openshift-sandboxed-containers-110-and-red-hat-build-trustee) ### Related articles * [What is a Linux container?](/en/topics/containers/whats-a-linux-container) * [What is container 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