Declarative Edge Kubernetes: Immutable Clusters with Talos + Zarf - Brandt Keller & Merijn Keppel

This talk covers the challenges of running Kubernetes at the edge, emphasizing the need for simplicity and security in environments with unreliable internet connectivity. Brandt Keller from Defense Unicorns and Merijn Keppel from TrueFullstaq demonstrate how to deploy and manage an entire Kubernetes cluster in an air-gapped environment using Talos Linux and Zarf. Talos serves as a dependable operating system specifically designed for Kubernetes, while Zarf simplifies the deployment process by bundling the OS, Kubernetes, and all necessary applications into a single package. The session includes a live demo where the speakers spin up a Talos cluster from bare metal without internet access and perform an on-the-spot upgrade using Zarf, providing attendees with a clear blueprint for managing secure Kubernetes clusters at the edge.