Introduction

The Challenge

The client’s services ran on a large bare-metal Kubernetes cluster with frequent latency spikes, database disconnects, and high operational overhead. Monitoring was minimal, manual intervention was the norm, and environments were inconsistent between dev and prod. The legacy DevOps team was reactive and unengaged, causing development bottlenecks and stalling growth for an otherwise successful product.

The Solution

The provider rebuilt the platform from scratch:

• Full network and infrastructure audit, followed by architecture planning
• Design and implementation of a new networking model across bare metal
• Migration to greenfield, fully monitored Kubernetes clusters
• CI/CD system built from scratch, standardized across ~60 services
• GitOps-driven delivery with automated deployments and pre-release testing
• Non-Kubernetes systems were adapted to work in hybrid mode during migration

Traffic cutover performed service-by-service with zero downtime

Implementation Process

• Presented networking and infra options, balancing cost and reliability
• Gained customer trust with clear analysis, audits, and planning
• Built and documented infrastructure, clusters, and pipelines from scratch
• Enabled external connectivity via cluster-aware proxies
• Performed live cutovers with no disruption while legacy infra was phased out
• Maintained constant collaboration with client’s tech lead
• Replaced former DevOps team and trained internal devs on CI/CD and tooling

Results Achieved

• Zero downtime during migration
• 8x traffic growth, handled without issues
• 2x infrastructure size increase, deployed smoothly
• Deployment time reduced from ~1 week to 1–2 hours
• No more critical incidents or unexplained slowdowns
• Developers gained confidence and autonomy across environments
• Team lead could finally go on vacation 🌴

Lessons Learned

• Deep transformation is possible even with zero handover
• Modern infrastructure enables growth that legacy ops can’t support
• Poor DevOps limits product velocity and developer happiness
• Engaged collaboration leads to trust and success