Kubernetes Operator for Apache Cassandra FAQs

Use the FAQs to answer common questions and get help with Kubernetes Operator for Apache Cassandra.

I heard about the open-source "K8ssandra" project - what is it?

K8ssandra provides a production-ready platform for running Apache Cassandra on Kubernetes. K8ssandra (pronounced "Kate" + "Sandra) includes the Kubernetes Operator for Apache Cassandra and related features, including automation for operational tasks such as repairs, backups, and monitoring. For details, see the K8ssandra.io website and refer to its documentation.

Where is the installation package for Kubernetes Operator for Apache Cassandra?

There is no installation package for Kubernetes Operator for Apache Cassandra. Instead, set up the Kubernetes Operator for Apache Cassandra using configuration YAML files on top of an existing Kubernetes cluster.

Kubernetes Operator for Apache Cassandra is available on its own or is packaged with K8ssandra.

To install only the cass-operator, independent of K8ssandra, follow the kubectl commands in Getting Started with Kubernetes Operator for Apache Cassandra. This configuration includes specifying cassandra or dse as the serverType to use with Kubernetes Operator for Apache Cassandra. For details, refer to Configure Cassandra or DSE in Kubernetes with Kubernetes Operator for Apache Cassandra and Provision Cassandra or DSE in Kubernetes with Kubernetes Operator for Apache Cassandra.

To install only the cass-operator with K8ssandra, run the following commands:

helm repo add k8ssandra https://helm.k8ssandra.io/stable

helm install k8ssandra k8ssandra/k8ssandra --set cassandra.enabled=false --set reaper.enabled=false --set reaper-operator.enabled=false --set stargate.enabled=false --set kube-prometheus-stack.enabled=false

To install all the K8ssandra components, including cass-operator, Cassandra, Medusa, Reaper, and more, see the K8ssandra install topics.

Which Kubernetes platforms are certified for use with Kubernetes Operator for Apache Cassandra?

The current release of Kubernetes Operator for Apache Cassandra works with these certified platforms:

Microsoft Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS)
DigitalOcean Kubernetes (DOKS)
Amazon Elastic Kubernetes Service (EKS)
Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE)
Open-source Kubernetes
Pivotal Container Service (PKS)

What are the prerequisites to using Kubernetes Operator for Apache Cassandra?

The kubectl CLI tool.
A Kubernetes cluster.

If you have not already, Create a Kubernetes cluster.

Kubernetes v1.21 or later is recommended and supported. For sample manifest YAML, refer to this GitHub folder.
The ability to download Docker Hub images from within the Kubernetes cluster.
At least one Kubernetes worker node per Cassandra or DSE instance.

What tools does Kubernetes Operator for Apache Cassandra include?

Kubernetes Operator for Apache Cassandra provides sample YAML configuration files, which you can customize for your environment. For more information, see the DataStax GitHub-hosted files:

Operator manifests for each supported Kubernetes release
CassandraDatacenter YAML for:
- Cassandra
- DSE

Which version of open source Apache Cassandra is supported with Kubernetes Operator for Apache Cassandra?

After establishing your Kubernetes cluster, you can use Kubernetes Operator for Apache Cassandra CassandraDatacenter YAML to apply a Cassandra 3.11.7 image to the cluster. For details, see Configure Cassandra or DSE in Kubernetes with Kubernetes Operator for Apache Cassandra and Provision Cassandra or DSE in Kubernetes with Kubernetes Operator for Apache Cassandra.

Which versions of DSE are supported with Kubernetes Operator for Apache Cassandra?

After establishing your Kubernetes cluster, you can use Kubernetes Operator for Apache Cassandra configuration YAML to apply a DSE 6.8.0 or later image to the cluster. For details, see to Configure Cassandra or DSE in Kubernetes with Kubernetes Operator for Apache Cassandra and Provision Cassandra or DSE in Kubernetes with Kubernetes Operator for Apache Cassandra.

How do I interact with Kubernetes Operator for Apache Cassandra?

Use kubectl commands, helm, or both to interact with your environment.

How do I specify the Cassandra or DSE server image in a YAML file?

Refer to the sample YAML files for Cassandra or DSE.

How do I verify my Kubernetes Operator for Apache Cassandra configuration?

There are several kubectl commands that you can use to verify the environment. For examples, see Verify status.

Can I contribute to the Kubernetes Operator for Apache Cassandra project?

Yes! For information about contributing to the open-source Kubernetes Operator for Apache Cassandra project, see the K8ssandra Community tips.

Where can I find help?

Use this documentation to get answers about the Kubernetes Operator for Apache Cassandra features and deployment configuration options.

Ask your questions and exchange information with DataStax developers and other community developers in the DataStax Community forums.

Kubernetes Operator for Apache Cassandra FAQs

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