GitOps on AWS: Using ArgoCD & Flux with EKS

Introduction to GitOps

GitOps is a modern approach to managing infrastructure and application deployments using Git as the single source of truth. By leveraging declarative configurations and automation, GitOps ensures consistency, traceability, and reliability in DevOps workflows. This methodology aligns perfectly with cloud-native technologies like Kubernetes, making it a natural fit for AWS Elastic Kubernetes Service (EKS).

Why GitOps on AWS with EKS?

AWS EKS provides a scalable and managed Kubernetes environment, while GitOps tools like ArgoCD and Flux simplify deployment and lifecycle management. Benefits include:

• Declarative Infrastructure: Define everything as code (IaC) in Git repositories.
• Automated Synchronization: Tools automatically apply changes from Git to EKS clusters.
• Auditability: Track all changes via Git commits and pull requests.
• Security: Enforce policies and approvals through Git workflows.

Key Tools: ArgoCD and Flux

ArgoCD

• A declarative, GitOps continuous delivery tool for Kubernetes.
• Features a user-friendly UI, multi-cluster support, and synchronization status tracking.
• Ideal for teams needing visibility and manual approval workflows.

Flux

• A lightweight, GitOps operator for Kubernetes.
• Focuses on automation and speed, with minimal overhead.
• Best suited for fully automated pipelines and Git-centric workflows.

Setting Up ArgoCD on EKS

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Prerequisites:
   • An EKS cluster with kubectl
   • IAM permissions for EKS access.
2. Install ArgoCD:

3. Access the ArgoCD UI:
   • Port-forward the service:

• Retrieve the admin password:

4. Connect a Git Repository:
   • In the ArgoCD UI, add a repository containing Kubernetes manifests.
   • Create an application to sync the repo with your EKS cluster.

Setting Up Flux on EKS

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Prerequisites:
   • EKS cluster with Helm installed.
2. Install Flux CLI:

3. Bootstrap Flux:

4. Deploy Workloads:
   • Commit Kubernetes manifests to the Git repository.
   • Flux automatically detects and applies changes to the EKS cluster.

Comparing ArgoCD and Flux

Choose ArgoCD for visual management and approvals. Choose Flux for hands-off automation.

Best Practices for GitOps on AWS

1. Use Separate Repositories: Split infrastructure (IaC) and application manifests for clarity.
2. Implement RBAC: Restrict access to Git repos and EKS clusters.
3. Monitor Drift: Use tools like ArgoCD’s “Diff” feature to detect configuration drift.
4. Automate Testing: Integrate CI pipelines (e.g., AWS CodePipeline) to validate changes before Git commits.

Real-World Use Cases

• Blue/Green Deployments: ArgoCD can manage traffic switching between EKS clusters.
• Multi-Region Scaling: Flux synchronizes identical configurations across AWS regions.
• Disaster Recovery: GitOps ensures quick cluster rebuilds from Git history.

Conclusion

GitOps with ArgoCD and Flux on AWS EKS brings automation, reliability, and security to Kubernetes deployments. Whether you prefer ArgoCD’s UI-driven approach or Flux’s automation-first design, both tools empower teams to adopt GitOps seamlessly. As cloud-native ecosystems grow, integrating these practices will become a cornerstone of efficient DevOps on AWS.

About CloudThat

CloudThat is a leading cloud training and consulting provider, offering expertise in AWS, Kubernetes, and DevOps. As an AWS Advanced Consulting Partner, we help organizations harness cutting-edge technologies to drive innovation. Explore our training programs to master GitOps and cloud-native tools.

Reference Links

• ArgoCD Documentation
• Flux Documentation
• AWS EKS GitOps Guide
• GitOps Principles

About CloudThat