Kubernetes static web application deployment scenario

Question

I was wondering what is best way to setup a static web application in kubernetes:

1. Place web app files inside the container image.
2. Place web app files in a share volume (mounted to pods).

In scenario #1 for every release (minor or major), we should deploy a new image and update the deployment.
In scenario #2 since files are in a shared location (like NFS share), it is easy to update files and releases without changing the kubernetes deployment.
So what is the recommended way for this scenario?

Answer 1

First, in my opinion your deployment has to be immutable. Each release is tagged and you have a kind of bijection between your docker image and your git tags.

Second, without an NFS share or a PVC you are reducing the complexity of your deployment and the network traffic.

So, as a general best practice: Keep it simple and immutable!