How to scale your shop with Saleor on Kubernetes

Saleor is a modern, open-source e-commerce platform based on GraphQL that allows developers to create customised online shops. The platform is particularly known for its flexibility and extensibility, making it a preferred choice for companies looking for a customised solution for their e-commerce needs. Saleor utilises a microservices architecture that allows different components to be developed and operated independently of each other.

This not only promotes efficiency, but also the scalability of the application. Kubernetes, on the other hand, is a powerful container orchestration system that was originally developed by Google. It enables the automation of deployment, scaling and management of containerised applications.

Kubernetes offers a variety of features, including load balancing, self-healing and rollouts of updates that make it easier for developers to run complex applications in a cloud environment. The combination of Saleor and Kubernetes provides a robust foundation for organisations looking to scale their e-commerce platform while leveraging the benefits of cloud technology.

Key Takeaways

• Saleor is an open-source eCommerce platform based on Python and Django and built on Kubernetes for scaling.
• Scaling with Saleor on Kubernetes offers advantages such as high availability, automatic load distribution and simple horizontal scaling.
• Preparations for scaling include selecting the right Kubernetes distribution, setting up load balancing and optimising database performance.
• Setting up Saleor on Kubernetes requires the containerisation of the application, the creation of Kubernetes resources and the configuration of persistent storage.
• The configuration and customisation for scaling includes the adjustment of resource limits, the configuration of auto-scaling and the implementation of health checks.
• The monitoring and optimisation of scaling requires the use of Kubernetes dashboards, the monitoring of resource usage and the optimisation of container images.
• When overcoming challenges and problems, it is important to pay attention to scaling issues such as bottlenecks, data consistency and network latency.
• Best practices for scaling with Saleor on Kubernetes include the use of CI/CD pipelines, the implementation of rolling updates and the regular execution of performance tests.

Advantages of scaling with Saleor on Kubernetes

Scaling from Saleor to Kubernetes brings numerous advantages, both technical and operational. One major advantage is Kubernetes' ability to scale containers dynamically. This means that additional instances of Saleor can be deployed automatically in the event of increased traffic or a sudden demand for products.

This flexibility enables companies to react quickly to seasonal fluctuations or unexpected sales promotions without the need for manual intervention. Another advantage is the improved utilisation of resources. Kubernetes optimises the distribution of resources across different containers, which leads to more efficient use of the underlying infrastructure.

This can be particularly beneficial in a cloud environment, where organisations only pay for the resources they actually use. In addition, Saleor's microservices architecture in combination with Kubernetes enables better isolation of services, meaning that problems in one service do not necessarily affect other parts of the application.

Preparations for scaling

Before you can start scaling Saleor on Kubernetes, some preparations are necessary. Firstly, companies should clearly define their current requirements and goals. This includes analysing current traffic and expected growth rates.

This information is crucial for planning the right infrastructure and the necessary resources. A thorough analysis also helps to identify potential bottlenecks and develop strategies to resolve these issues. Another important step in the preparation phase is the selection of the appropriate cloud platform or infrastructure for Kubernetes.

There are several providers such as Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure that offer Kubernetes services. Each of these offerings has its own advantages and disadvantages in terms of pricing, performance and availability of additional services. Choosing the right platform can have a significant impact on the performance and scalability of the Saleor application.

Setting up Saleor on Kubernetes

Setting up Saleor on Kubernetes requires careful planning and execution. Firstly, the required container images must be created. These images contain all the necessary dependencies and configurations for Saleor.

The use of Docker to create these images is common, as Docker is a widely used platform for containerising applications. The images should then be uploaded to a container registry so that Kubernetes can access them. After creating the container images, the next step is to create the Kubernetes resources such as pods, deployments and services.

Pods are the smallest unit in Kubernetes and contain one or more containers. Deployments make it possible to define the desired state of the application and ensure that the right number of pods are always running. Services, on the other hand, provide a stable IP address and a DNS name for accessing the pods.

These resources can be defined using YAML files that contain all the necessary configurations.

Configuration and customisation for scaling

The configuration of Saleor on Kubernetes requires specific adjustments to ensure optimal scaling. One important consideration is the configuration of the Horizontal Pod Autoscaler (HPA), a Kubernetes feature that automatically adjusts the number of pods based on the current load. The HPA can be configured to monitor metrics such as CPU utilisation or custom metrics to make decisions about adding or removing pods.

In addition to the HPA, companies should also ensure that their database is configured for a scalable architecture. Saleor often uses PostgreSQL as its database management system, which can also be run in a containerised environment. It is important that the database is configured to handle the number of requests, especially if multiple instances of Saleor are active at the same time.

Techniques such as database replication or sharding can be considered to further optimise performance.

Monitoring and optimisation of scaling

Application monitoring is a crucial aspect of scaling Saleor on Kubernetes. Tools such as Prometheus and Grafana are widely used and offer comprehensive options for monitoring metrics in real time. These tools allow developers and system administrators to identify performance bottlenecks and take proactive measures to optimise the application.

By setting alarms, teams can be notified immediately if certain threshold values are exceeded. In addition, logging should not be neglected. A central logging solution such as ELK (Elasticsearch, Logstash and Kibana) can help to aggregate and analyse logs from different pods.

This makes troubleshooting much easier and enables teams to identify and resolve problems quickly. Continuous monitoring and optimisation are essential to ensure that the application remains stable even when the load increases.

Overcoming challenges and problems

Despite the many advantages, scaling Saleor on Kubernetes can also present challenges. One common challenge is managing state information in a distributed environment. Since Kubernetes creates and removes pods dynamically, it can be difficult to ensure that all instances are up to date and using consistent data.

Techniques such as StatefulSets, which were specially developed for stateful applications, can help here. Another problem can be the network configuration. In a Kubernetes environment, network policies need to be carefully configured to ensure that pods can communicate with each other.

Incorrect network configurations can result in services being unavailable or security risks. It is therefore important to familiarise yourself with Saleor's network requirements and ensure that all required ports are open.

Best practices for scaling with Saleor on Kubernetes

To ensure the successful scaling of Saleor on Kubernetes, a few best practices should be observed. Firstly, it is advisable to set up a CI/CD (Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment) pipeline. This pipeline automates the process of testing and deploying new versions of Saleor and ensures that changes can be implemented quickly and reliably.

Another important point is testing under realistic conditions. Load tests should be performed to ensure that the application remains stable under different load conditions. Tools such as JMeter or Locust can be used to generate simulated user requests and measure the application's response.

Finally, documentation should not be neglected either. Comprehensive documentation of all configurations and processes not only facilitates the onboarding of new team members, but also helps to identify and solve problems more quickly. By following these best practices, companies can ensure that their e-commerce platform remains both powerful and scalable.