The container ecosystem is vast, and Kubernetes is only one important piece of it. To build a solid understanding, you should start from the low-level runtimes and move upward, covering orchestration, networking, storage, security, and the tool ecosystem.
This article provides a learning path with curated, high-quality articles, helping you progress step by step from fundamentals to advanced topics.
1. Container Runtime Basics
Start with runc to understand the fundamentals of container runtimes.
To understand how Kubernetes, CRI, containerd, and runc work together:
Extra readings:
2. Linux Namespaces and Core Mechanisms
Understanding namespaces and cgroups is key to grasping how containers work.
- Quarkslab: Digging into Linux namespaces - Part 1
- Quarkslab: Digging into Linux namespaces - Part 2
- Linux programmers manual: NAMESPACES(7)
Additional resources:
- What even is a container: namespaces and cgroups
- Cgroups, namespaces, and beyond: what are containers made from (DockerCon)
3. Must-Read Series
A highly recommended series for both technical and historical context:
- Demystifying Containers: Part I: Kernel Space
- Demystifying Containers: Part II: Container Runtimes
- Demystifying Containers: Part III: Container Images
- Demystifying Containers: Part IV: Container Security
- Demystifying Containers GitHub repository
4. From Containers to Orchestration
Once you understand containers, the next step is orchestration and Kubernetes.
- Journey From Containerization To Orchestration And Beyond\
- How Kubernetes Reinvented Virtual Machines (in a good sense)\
- What are Kubernetes Pods Anyway\
- Docker Containers vs. Kubernetes Pods - Taking a Deeper look\
- Kubernetes pod vs container: Multi-container pods and container communication
5. Container Networking and Service Discovery
Networking is one of the most complex parts of the container world.
- Tracing the path of network traffic in Kubernetes
- Using network namespaces and a virtual switch to isolate servers
Advanced series:
- What Actually Happens When You Publish a Container Port
- How To Publish a Port of a Running Container
- How to Expose Multiple Containers On the Same Port
- Sidecar Proxy Pattern - The Basis Of Service Mesh
- Service Discovery in Kubernetes: Combining the Best of Two Worlds
6. Key Components
Important but often overlooked pieces:
7. Tools and Ecosystem
Beyond Docker, the container ecosystem is full of powerful tools:
8. Further Readings & References
- Containers Explained by Ivan Velichko
- Quarkslab containers category
- CNI specification
- The Best Places to Learn & Try Kubernetes Online
Conclusion
From low-level runc and Linux namespaces, to orchestration and Kubernetes networking, and finally ecosystem tools and references, this curated collection covers the full-stack learning path of container technologies.
👉 Suggested reading order: runtime → namespaces → must-read series → orchestration → networking → key components → tools.
This way, you'll gradually build a comprehensive understanding of the container world.