Key Takeaways

• Ephemeral Environments in Kubernetes
  Unlike traditional approaches, Kubernetes namespaces don't incur costs when empty. It's more efficient to maintain pre-configured namespaces and scale workloads down rather than destroying and recreating environments. Devtron maintains 25-30 pre-configured environments that scale down when inactive.

• Cost Optimization Through Infrastructure
  Use spot instances and preemptible VMs for non-production environments. Consider VM sizing carefully - larger VMs can be more cost-effective than many smaller ones. Monitor and optimize data transfer costs between availability zones.

• Smart Deployment Strategies
  Choose deployment strategies based on actual needs rather than defaulting to complex options. Recreate deployments can be more cost-effective than rolling or blue-green deployments in non-production. Right-size workloads and consider self-managed solutions for non-production databases.

• Automated Scaling Solutions
  Implement request-based scaling using the KEDA HTTP add-on. Use time-based scaling for predictable usage patterns (e.g., scaling down on weekends). Devtron’s "Winter Soldier" tool allows scheduled scaling of environments based on time and usage patterns.

• Build and Deployment Efficiency
  Optimize build and deployment systems to reduce developer wait times. Consider the hidden costs of inefficient processes across the organization. Implement efficient scaling mechanisms that balance cost with developer productivity.