The error message “Unable to connect to the server: dial tcp: lookup *.eks.amazonaws.com on IP:53: no such host” is a common issue encountered when using kubectl, the command-line interface for Kubernetes. This error occurs when kubectl is unable to establish a connection to the Kubernetes API server.
The main cause of this error is a failure to resolve the hostname of the API server. The hostname is typically specified in the kubeconfig file, which is used to configure the connection between kubectl and the API server. In this case, the hostname contains a wildcard, which is causing the DNS resolver to fail to find the correct IP address for the API server.
How to Resolve the Kubectl Command Error
If you are encountering the error “Unable to connect to the server: dial tcp: lookup *.eks.amazonaws.com on IP:53: no such host” while using kubectl with an Amazon EKS cluster, you can follow the steps to resolve the issue:
- Backup your existing kubeconfig file: This step is optional, but it’s always a good idea to back up your existing configuration before making any changes. You can run the following command:
mv $HOME/.kube/config $HOME/.kube/config.old
Configure kubectl with the EKS API server credentials: To do this, run the following command, replacing [EKS_Region] and [EKS_Cluster_Name] with the appropriate values for your cluster:
aws eks --region [EKS_Region] update-kubeconfig --name [EKS_Cluster_Name]
For example, if your EKS cluster is in the us-east-1 region and the name of your cluster is k21-eks-cluster-cli, you would run the following command:
aws eks --region us-east-1 update-kubeconfig --name k21-eks-cluster-cli
Test the connection: After updating the kubeconfig file, run the following command to check the connection to the API server:
kubectl get svc
If the connection is successful, you should see a list of services running in your EKS cluster.
In conclusion, if you are encountering the error “Unable to connect to the server: dial tcp: lookup *.eks.amazonaws.com on IP:53: no such host” when using kubectl with an Amazon EKS cluster, you can resolve the issue by configuring kubectl with the correct API server credentials using the aws eks update-kubeconfig command.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does kubectl have issues resolving the hostname for EKS clusters?
The hostname resolution issue typically stems from wildcard entries in the kubeconfig file. Wildcards in DNS hostnames can lead to failures in resolving to the correct IP address, as DNS resolvers may not correctly handle them.
How can I back up my current kubeconfig file before making changes?
You can back up your kubeconfig file by renaming it. Use the command mv $HOME/.kube/config $HOME/.kube/config.old to rename the existing config file, preserving it before you make changes.
How can I test if my kubectl connection to the EKS cluster is now working?
After updating the kubeconfig file, test the connection by running kubectl get svc. If the connection is set up correctly, you will see a list of services running in your EKS cluster.
What should I do if I continue to encounter the same error after updating the kubeconfig file?
If the error persists, check for any typos in your AWS CLI command and ensure that your AWS credentials are up-to-date and have the necessary permissions. Also, verify that your EKS cluster is active and that you have network connectivity to the AWS region hosting your cluster.
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