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Accessing the Kubernetes Cluster Dashboard

This guide explains how to expose and access the Kubernetes Dashboard securely via NodePort and the Virtual Router's public IP.

Step 1: SSH into the Controller Node​

Use the SSH key added during cluster creation:

ssh -i <ssh-private.key> -p 2222 cloud@<Public-IP-of-Virtual-Router>

Step 2: Verify the Dashboard Service​

Run the following command to check the current service status:

kubectl get services --all-namespaces

By default, the Kubernetes Dashboard runs on a ClusterIP, which is not publicly accessible. We’ll recreate it as a NodePort service.

Step 3: Delete the Existing ClusterIP Service​

Remove the default service with:

kubectl delete service kubernetes-dashboard -n kubernetes-dashboard

Step 4: Create a NodePort Service for the Dashboard​

Create a new YAML definition using a text editor (vi or nano):

vi kubernetes-dashboard-service.yaml
kind: Service
apiVersion: v1
metadata:
  labels:
    k8s-app: kubernetes-dashboard
  name: kubernetes-dashboard
  namespace: kubernetes-dashboard
spec:
  type: NodePort
  ports:
    - port: 443
      targetPort: 8443
      nodePort: 30001  # You may customize this port as needed
  selector:
    k8s-app: kubernetes-dashboard

Then apply the new service:

kubectl apply -f kubernetes-dashboard-service.yaml

Step 5: Configure Firewall & Port Forwarding​

• Open port 30001 in the firewall via the WebberStop portal. • Create a port forwarding rule for the same port using the Virtual Router’s public IP.

tip

This enables external access from the internet to your internal Kubernetes dashboard service.

Step 6: Access the Dashboard​

https://<Public-IP-of-Virtual-Router>:30001

Use a token or a valid kubeconfig to authenticate.

tip

You can generate a token with the following command if RBAC is configured:

kubectl -n kubernetes-dashboard create token admin-user