Getting Started with Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) Tutorials

Welcome to the Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) tutorial series. This collection of guides will help you get started with deploying, managing, and scaling containerized applications on Kubernetes within Azure.

What is AKS?

Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) simplifies deploying, managing, and automating Kubernetes applications. AKS integrates Kubernetes with Azure services, allowing you to leverage features like Azure Active Directory for authentication, Azure Monitor for insights, and Azure Networking for robust connectivity.

1. Create an AKS Cluster

The first step in using AKS is to create a managed Kubernetes cluster. This tutorial walks you through the process using the Azure CLI and the Azure portal.

  • Learn to provision an AKS cluster with specific node counts and VM sizes.
  • Configure networking and authentication options for your cluster.
  • Connect to your new AKS cluster using kubectl.

Follow the detailed steps in the AKS cluster creation guide.

2. Deploy Your First Application

Once your AKS cluster is ready, you can deploy your containerized applications. This tutorial covers deploying a sample application and exposing it to the internet.

  • Create Kubernetes manifests (Deployments and Services).
  • Use kubectl apply to deploy your application.
  • Understand how to expose your application using Kubernetes Services.

Dive into the application deployment tutorial for hands-on experience.

3. Secure Your AKS Cluster

Security is paramount. This section focuses on best practices for securing your AKS cluster and applications.

  • Integrate with Azure Active Directory for cluster access control.
  • Manage secrets using Azure Key Vault.
  • Implement network policies to control traffic flow.

Enhance your cluster's security by exploring the AKS security best practices.

4. Monitor AKS Health and Performance

Keep your applications running smoothly by effectively monitoring your AKS cluster.

  • Configure Azure Monitor for Container Insights.
  • Analyze logs and metrics to troubleshoot issues.
  • Set up alerts for critical events.

Learn more about monitoring AKS with Azure Monitor.

5. Explore Advanced Scenarios

Beyond basic deployment, AKS supports a wide range of advanced capabilities.

  • Automate deployments using CI/CD pipelines (e.g., Azure DevOps, GitHub Actions).
  • Implement scaling strategies (Horizontal Pod Autoscaler, Cluster Autoscaler).
  • Integrate with Azure services like Azure Database for PostgreSQL and Azure Cache for Redis.

Discover more in the advanced AKS tutorials.

Tip: Always start with a small, non-critical cluster for testing and learning before deploying production workloads.

We hope these tutorials provide a solid foundation for your journey with Azure Kubernetes Service. Happy containerizing!