Kubernetes Resource Limits and Requests

Cloud Intermediate

Kubernetes Resource Limits and Requests¶

KubernetesResourcesPerformance 3 min read

Proper CPU and memory configuration for pods. Requests, limits, QoS and OOMKill.

Requests vs Limits¶

spec:
  containers:
    - name: app
      resources:
        requests:      # Guaranteed minimum
          cpu: 250m    # 0.25 CPU
          memory: 256Mi
        limits:        # Maximum
          cpu: 1000m   # 1 CPU
          memory: 512Mi

Requests = the scheduler uses them for placement. Limits = kernel enforced maximum.

QoS Classes¶

Guaranteed — requests == limits (highest priority)
Burstable — requests < limits
BestEffort — no requests/limits (first to be OOMKilled)

Summary¶

Always set requests (correct scheduling). Memory limits protect the node. CPU limits are controversial — many recommend only using requests.

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Kubernetes Resource Limits and Requests