Azure Kubernetes Services
Azure Kubernetes Services
What is kubernetes
Kubernetes is an open-source container-orchestration system for automating computer application deployment, scaling, and management. It was originally designed by Google and is now maintained by the Cloud Native Computing Foundation.
Kubernetes is a portable, extensible, open-source platform for managing containerized workloads and services, that facilitates both declarative configuration and automation.
WHY DO WE NEED KUBERNETES ?
Google built Kubernetes and has been using it for 10 years. That it has been used to run Google’s massive systems for that long is one of its key selling points. Two years ago Google pushed Kubernetes into open source.
Kubernetes is a cluster and container management tool. It lets you deploy containers to clusters, meaning a network of virtual machines. It works with different containers, not just Docker.
Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) ?
Microsoft Azure is one of the foremost players in the cloud computing market presently. We also have Kubernetes as the top instrument for the management of application containers.
The drastic rise in the application of both these tools in enterprise use cases is explicitly evident. Kubernetes provides a platform for automation of deployment, scaling, and operations of application containers across clusters of hosts.
Kubernetes helps in reducing the cost of cloud computing investments alongside simplifying architecture and operations. Therefore, Azure Kubernetes Service combines the functionalities of Kubernetes and Microsoft Azure for better outcomes in application development.
Azure Kubernetes Services:
Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) is a fully-managed service that allows you to run Kubernetes in Azure without having to manage your own Kubernetes clusters. Azure manages all the complex parts of running Kubernetes, and you can focus on your containers. Basic features include:
Pay only for the nodes (VMs)
Easier cluster upgrades
Integrated with various Azure and OSS tools and services
Kubernetes RBAC and Azure Active Directory Integration
Enforce rules defined in Azure Policy across multiple clusters
Kubernetes can scale your Nodes using cluster autoscaler
Expand your scale even greater by scheduling your containers on Azure Container Instances
Features of AKS:
🌟 Azure Kubernetes Service tutorial will inform you of the simplicity of deploying managed Kubernetes cluster in Azure using AKS.
🌟 Microsoft Azure can deal with important tasks such as maintenance and health monitoring because it is a hosted Kubernetes service.
🌟 Azure manages the Kubernetes nodes, and users could manage and maintain the agent nodes.
🌟 Users could create an AKS cluster in the Azure portal or with Azure CLI.
Clusters and Nodes:
🌟 Azure Kubernetes Service tutorial also include elaborations on the feature of clusters and nodes in AKS.
🌟 AKS nodes run on Azure Virtual Machines, and AKS provides support for Kubernetes clusters running multiple node pools.
🌟 With the changes in demand for resources, the number of cluster nodes or pods running services can be scaled accordingly.
Development Tooling Integration:
🌟 Azure Kubernetes Service also provides support for Docker image format. Furthermore, you could also integrate AKS with Azure Container Registry (ACR) for the private storage of Docker images.
🌟 AKS establishes credibility through the CNCF certification of “Kubernetes conformant.” The regulatory compliance of AKS with SOC, HIPAA, ISO, and PCI DSS make it reliable for application across diverse industries.
Virtual Networks and Ingress:
🌟 Azure Kubernetes Service documentation will also include virtual networks and ingress. You can deploy an AKS cluster into an existing virtual network.
🌟 Every pod in the cluster is attached with an IP address in the virtual network.
🌟 The pods can communicate with other pods in the cluster as well as other nodes in the virtual network.
🌟 The add-on of HTTP application routing can help in having flexible access to applications deployed on an AKS cluster.
🌟 HTTP application routing solution can help in configuration of an ingress controller in an AKS cluster.
Security, Access, and Monitoring:
🌟 Common Azure Kubernetes Service documentation can shed light on the improvements in areas of access, security, and monitoring.
🌟 AKS helps in integration with Azure Active Directory and using Kubernetes role-based access controls. Also, you could monitor the status of your cluster and resources.
Integration of development tools
🌟 Another important feature of AKS is the development tools such as Helm and Draft are seamlessly integrated with AKS where Azure Dev Spaces can provide a quicker and iterative Kubernetes development experience to the developers. Containers can be run and debugged directly in Azure Kubernetes environment with less stress on the configuration.
🌟 AKS also offers support for Docker image format and can also integrate with Azure Container Registry (ACR) to provide private storage for Docker images. And, regular compliance with the industry standards such as System and Organization Controls (SOC), Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), and ISO make AKS more reliable across various business.
Running any workload in Azure Kubernetes Service
🌟 You can orchestrate any type of workload running in the AKS environment. You can move .NET apps to Windows Server containers, modernize Java apps in Linux containers, or run microservices in Azure Kubernetes Service. AKS will run any type of workload in the cluster environment.
Removes complexities
🌟 AKS removes your implementation, installation, maintenance, and security complexities in Azure cloud architecture. It also reduces substantial costs where no per-cluster charges are being imposed on you.
Azure Kubernetes Service Use Cases
We’ll take a look at different use cases where AKS can be used.
Data streaming: AKS can also be used to ingest and process real-time data streams with data points via sensors and perform quick analysis.
Simplifying the configuration and management of microservices-based Apps: You can also simplify the development and management of microservices-based apps as well as streamline load balancing, horizontal scaling, self-healing, and secret management with AKS.
Bringing DevOps and Kubernetes together: AKS is also a reliable resource to bring Kubernetes and DevOps together for securing DevOps implementation with Kubernetes. Bringing both together, it improves the security and speed of the development process with Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) with dynamic policy controls.
Migration of existing applications: You can easily migrate existing apps to containers and run them with Azure Kubernetes Service. You can also control access via Azure AD integration and SLA-based Azure Services like Azure Database using Open Service Broker for Azure (OSBA).
