Kubernetes ResourceQuota & LimitRange Example Programs

Kubernetes ResourceQuota and LimitRange are two important mechanisms for managing resource allocation and usage within a Kubernetes cluster.

Here’s a comparison of ResourceQuota and LimitRange features and use cases in a tabular format:

This comparison highlights the complementary nature of ResourceQuota and LimitRange in managing Kubernetes cluster resources effectively.

ResourceQuota

ResourceQuota is used to limit the aggregate resource consumption per namespace. It can restrict:

• Total compute resources (CPU and memory) that can be requested
• Number of objects that can be created by type (e.g., pods, services)
• Total storage resources that can be consumed

Key features:

• Applied at the namespace level
• Limits the sum of resources across all pods in a namespace
• Enforces constraints on both resource requests and limits

Example ResourceQuota:

apiVersion: v1
kind: ResourceQuota
metadata:
  name: compute-resources
spec:
  hard:
    requests.cpu: "2"
    requests.memory: 1Gi
    limits.cpu: "4"
    limits.memory: 2GiCode language: CSS (css)

LimitRange

LimitRange sets constraints on individual pods and containers within a namespace. It can:

• Enforce minimum and maximum compute resources per pod or container
• Set default request/limit values for containers
• Enforce a ratio between request and limit for a resource

Key features:

• Applied at the pod and container level within a namespace
• Sets default values for resource requests and limits
• Can prevent the creation of pods that don’t meet the specified constraints

Example LimitRange:

apiVersion: v1
kind: LimitRange
metadata:
  name: limit-mem-cpu-per-container
spec:
  limits:
  - default:
      cpu: 500m
      memory: 512Mi
    defaultRequest:
      cpu: 200m
      memory: 256Mi
    type: ContainerCode language: JavaScript (javascript)

Use Cases

• ResourceQuota: Useful for enforcing overall resource constraints in a shared cluster environment, preventing one team or application from consuming all available resources.
• LimitRange: Helpful for setting reasonable defaults and preventing the creation of pods with excessive resource requirements or no specified limits.

By using both ResourceQuota and LimitRange together, cluster administrators can effectively manage resource allocation and ensure fair usage across different teams and applications within a Kubernetes cluster.

apiVersion: v1
kind: Namespace
metadata:
  name: myspace
---
apiVersion: v1
kind: ResourceQuota
metadata:
  name: compute-quota
  namespace: myspace
spec:
  hard:
    requests.cpu: "1"
    requests.memory: 1Gi
    limits.cpu: "2"
    limits.memory: 2Gi
---
apiVersion: v1
kind: ResourceQuota
metadata:
  name: object-quota
  namespace: myspace
spec:
  hard:
    configmaps: "10"
    persistentvolumeclaims: "4"
    replicationcontrollers: "20"
    secrets: "10"
    services: "10"
    services.loadbalancers: "2"



apiVersion: extensions/v1beta1
kind: Deployment
metadata:
  name: helloworld-deployment
  namespace: myspace
spec:
  replicas: 3
  template:
    metadata:
      labels:
        app: helloworld
    spec:
      containers:
      - name: k8s-demo
        image: wardviaene/k8s-demo
        ports:
        - name: nodejs-port
          containerPort: 3000
        resources:
          requests:
            cpu: 200m
            memory: 0.5Gi
          limits:
            cpu: 400m
            memory: 1Gi


apiVersion: v1
kind: LimitRange
metadata:
  name: limits
  namespace: myspace
spec:
  limits:
  - default:
      cpu: 200m
      memory: 512Mi
    defaultRequest:
      cpu: 100m
      memory: 256Mi
    type: ContainerCode language: JavaScript (javascript)

Rajesh Kumar

I’m Rajesh Kumar, a DevOps, SRE, DevSecOps, Cloud, and Platform Engineering expert passionate about sharing practical knowledge, real-world experiences, and industry best practices. I have worked at Cotocus and regularly write about technology, travel, investing, health, product reviews, and digital marketing through my various platforms.

I publish technical articles at DevOps School, travel stories at Holiday Landmark, stock market insights at Stocks Mantra, health and fitness guidance at My Medic Plus, product reviews at TrueReviewNow, and SEO and digital marketing strategies at Wizbrand.