When should teams adopt Admission controllers, and when should they avoid it?

Admission controllers are essential components in Kubernetes that govern how the cluster manages resources. Teams should consider adopting them when:

  • Enhanced Security: If your application requires strict security policies, admission controllers can enforce these policies before resources are created.
  • Resource Management: When teams need to manage resources efficiently, controlling the types of resources that can be created can prevent quota exhaustion.
  • Compliance Requirements: For organizations with regulatory compliance needs, admission controllers can ensure that all deployments are compliant with industry standards.
  • Custom Business Logic: If there are specific operational requirements, such as tagging resources or enforcing naming conventions, admission controllers can automate these processes.

However, teams should avoid using admission controllers in scenarios where:

  • Performance Bottlenecks: If the admission controller's logic is too complex or resource-intensive, it may slow down the API server and impact resource provisioning.
  • Overly Complex Logic: If the business logic can't be easily encapsulated, it can lead to maintenance challenges and confusion within the team.
  • Development Velocity: In a fast-paced development environment, introducing admission controllers can slow down deployments, which may hinder agility.
  • Flexibility Concerns: If the team prioritizes flexibility in resource management, admission controllers may impose rigid structures that limit experimentation.

Keywords: Admission controllers Kubernetes security resource management compliance business logic performance development velocity.