Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) When to Use and Why? And Provisioning using Terraform
Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) simplifies Kubernetes management tasks, making it easier to deploy, manage, and scale containerized applications using Kubernetes.
The Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) facilitates the deployment of managed Kubernetes clusters in Azure. AKS offloads critical tasks from developers and administrators, such as health monitoring and maintenance.
When running on AKS, you only need to manage agent nodes, and pay only for agent nodes. There is no charge for Kubernetes master nodes — these are configured and deployed automatically. You can configure other features, including Azure AD integration, advanced networking, and monitoring.
You can use the Azure CLI, or the Azure Portal, to create AKS clusters. Another option is to use infrastructure as code (IaC) solutions like Azure Resource Manager templates or TerraForm.
When to Use AKS
- Microservices Architecture:
When your application is designed using microservices architecture, AKS helps manage the deployment, scaling, and operation of these containerized services efficiently. - Containerized Applications:
If you have applications that are containerized using Docker, AKS is ideal for orchestrating these containers and ensuring smooth deployment and management. - Scalability and Flexibility:
For applications that need to scale up or down quickly based on demand, AKS provides robust scaling options, both manual and automatic. - CI/CD Integration:
When you require a seamless continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipeline, AKS integrates well with Azure DevOps, GitHub Actions, and other CI/CD tools to automate the deployment
of containerized applications. - High Availability and Resilience:
When high availability and resilience are critical, AKS provides features like multiple node pools, availability zones, and auto-replication, ensuring your application is always available and can handle failures gracefully. - DevOps and Modern Development Practices:
If your development workflow embraces DevOps practices, AKS supports these by enabling rapid development cycles, continuous deployment, and operations management. - Hybrid and Multi-Cloud Deployments:
When you need a consistent environment across hybrid or multi-cloud setups, AKS offers a Kubernetesbased orchestration that is consistent with other Kubernetes services across different clouds.
Why Use AKS:
- Managed Kubernetes Service:
AKS is a managed service that abstracts the complexities of Kubernetes management, allowing you to focus on your applications rather than managing Kubernetes clusters.
- Integration with Azure Ecosystem:
AKS integrates seamlessly with other Azure services like Azure Active Directory, Azure Monitor, Azure Policy, and Azure DevOps, providing a cohesive cloud environment.
- Cost Efficiency:
With AKS, you only pay for the underlying compute and storage resources, not for the Kubernetes management itself, making it cost-effective.
- Security and Compliance:
AKS offers built-in security features like Azure Active Directory integration, role-based access control (RBAC), and network policies, helping meet compliance and security requirements.
- Ease of Use:
Azure provides a user-friendly interface for AKS management through the Azure Portal, CLI, and APIs, making it easier to manage and monitor your Kubernetes clusters.
Services to Use for Hosting an App on AKS
Azure Container Registry (ACR):
Use Case: Store and manage container images.
Why: Secure, scalable, and integrated with AKS for seamless image deployment.
Azure DevOps or GitHub Actions:
Use Case: Implement CI/CD pipelines.
Why: Automate the building, testing, and deployment of containerized applications to AKS.
Azure Virtual Network (VNet):
Use Case: Isolate and secure AKS clusters.
Why: Provides network isolation, security, and connectivity to on-premises networks or other Azure services.
Azure Load Balancer:
Use Case: Distribute traffic across services running in AKS.
Why: Ensures high availability and distributes incoming traffic efficiently.
Azure Application Gateway with WAF:
Use Case: Provide advanced load balancing and web application firewall capabilities.
Why: Enhances security and performance for web applications hosted on AKS.
Azure Key Vault:
Use Case: Store and manage sensitive information like secrets, keys, and certificates.
Why: Secure access to secrets and integrate seamlessly with AKS for secret management.
Azure Monitor:
Use Case: Monitor and visualize the performance and health of AKS clusters.
Why: Provides comprehensive monitoring, logging, and alerting capabilities.
Azure Storage (e.g., Azure Files, Azure Blob Storage):
Use Case: Persistent storage for applications.
Why: Offers scalable and secure storage options that integrate well with AKS for stateful applications.
Azure Active Directory (AAD):
Use Case: Manage user identities and access control for AKS.
Why: Provides secure authentication and authorization for users and applications.
Azure Policy:
Use Case: Enforce organizational policies and compliance.
Why: Helps ensure that the AKS environment adheres to compliance standards and organizational
policies.
Azure Service Bus or Event Grid:
Use Case: Enable event-driven architectures and messaging between services.
Why: Provides reliable messaging and event handling for microservices.
Azure Cosmos DB or Azure SQL Database:
Use Case: Database services for applications hosted on AKS.
Why: Provides scalable and managed database solutions that integrate well with containerized applications.
Summary!
By leveraging these Azure services alongside AKS, you can build, deploy, and manage robust, scalable, and secure applications, ensuring high availability and efficient operations.
But wait, there’s more to explore! checkout this article on setting up and Deploying Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) with Terraform
In upcoming articles, I’ll delve into exciting topics like Ansible, Helm charts, and beyond. Your feedback and questions are invaluable, so feel free to share as I continue this learning adventure. Stay curious, and let’s keep building amazing things! 🚀
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