Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS)

Deploy, manage, and scale containerized applications with ease using Azure's managed Kubernetes service.

Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) simplifies deploying, managing, and automating the scaling of containerized applications. AKS uses Kubernetes, an open-source system for automating deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications, on Azure. With AKS, you can leverage the power of Kubernetes without the complexity of managing the control plane or underlying infrastructure.

Key Features of AKS

Simplified Kubernetes Cluster Management: Azure handles the availability and maintenance of the Kubernetes control plane, freeing you up to focus on your containers.
Automated Updates and Upgrades: Keep your Kubernetes version up-to-date with automated or manual upgrades for the control plane and nodes.
Integrated CI/CD: Easily integrate AKS with Azure DevOps, GitHub Actions, or other CI/CD tools for streamlined application delivery.
Hybrid and Multi-cloud Capabilities: AKS can be extended to run on-premises with Azure Arc.
Built-in Observability: Monitor your applications with Azure Monitor and Container Insights.
Secure and Compliant: Benefit from Azure's robust security features and compliance offerings.

Get Started with AKS

Learn how to create your first AKS cluster and deploy a simple application.

Start Now

Deploy Applications

Explore different deployment strategies and best practices for running your applications on AKS.

Learn More

Scale Your Cluster

Understand how to scale your AKS cluster and applications based on demand.

Explore Scaling

Networking in AKS

Dive deep into network configurations, ingress controllers, and service meshes.

View Networking Docs

When to Use AKS

AKS is ideal for various scenarios:

Orchestrating microservices and complex applications.
Modernizing existing applications by containerizing them.
Building new cloud-native applications.
Implementing CI/CD pipelines for containerized workloads.
Leveraging hybrid cloud strategies.

Tip: For simpler container deployments without complex orchestration needs, consider Azure Container Instances (ACI).

Core Concepts

Kubernetes Architecture

AKS abstracts away the complexity of the Kubernetes control plane. You interact with AKS clusters using standard Kubernetes tools like kubectl.

Nodes and Pods

AKS clusters consist of:

Control Plane: Managed by Azure, it runs Kubernetes services like API server, etcd, scheduler, etc.
Agent Nodes: These are Azure Virtual Machines that run your containerized applications in Pods. You manage the size, number, and configuration of these nodes.

Deployments and Services

You define your applications using Kubernetes objects like:

Deployments: Describe the desired state of your application, including the container image and number of replicas.
Services: Provide a stable network endpoint for your applications, allowing them to communicate with each other and be accessed from outside the cluster.

Note: Understanding fundamental Kubernetes concepts is crucial for effectively using AKS.

Pricing

AKS itself is free. You only pay for the underlying Azure resources consumed by your cluster, such as virtual machines, storage, and networking. Visit the Azure AKS Pricing page for more details.

Next Steps

Ready to get started? Explore the following resources: