Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) is a managed container orchestration service, based on the open-source Kubernetes system, which is available on the Microsoft Azure public cloud. An organization can use AKS to deploy, scale and manage Docker containers and container-based applications across a cluster of container hosts. Kubernetes orchestrates clusters of virtual machines and schedules containers to run on those virtual machines based on their available compute resources and the resource requirements of each container. Containers are grouped into pods, the basic operational unit for Kubernetes, and those pods scale to your desired state.
Containers are a good way to bundle and run applications. In a production environment, you need to manage the containers that run the applications and ensure that there is no downtime. Containers solved this critical issue of portability allowing you to separate code from the underlying infrastructure it is running on. Developers could package up their application, including all of the bins and libraries it needs to run correctly, into a small container image. In a production that container can be run on any computer that has a containerization platform.
AKS is an open-source fully managed container orchestration service that became available in June 2018 and is available on the Microsoft Azure public cloud that can be used to deploy, scale and manage Docker containers and container-based applications in a cluster environment.
Azure Kubernetes Service offers provisioning, scaling, and upgrades of resources as per requirement or demand without any downtime in the Kubernetes cluster and the best thing about AKS is that you don’t require deep knowledge and expertise in container orchestration to manage AKS.
AKS is certainly an ideal platform for developers to develop their modern applications using Kubernetes on the Azure architecture where Azure Container Instances are the pretty right choice to deploy containers on the public cloud. The Azure Container Instances help in reducing the stress on developers to deploy and run their applications on Kubernetes architecture. The great part about cloud-based managed Kubernetes services like Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) is that it integrates natively with other Azure services, and you don’t have to worry about managing the availability of your underlying clusters, auto scaling, or patching your underlying VMs.
The Benefits :
Containers help to move applications and their dependencies between environments, and Kubernetes does its job best as it orchestrates containerization, effectively. Azure Kubernetes Service is considered to be the best way to simplify and streamline Kubernetes and hence, you are able to scale your application development effectively, with great agility.
1. Accelerated Application Development
Most of the developer’s time is spent on bug-fixing. AKS reduces the wastage of time due to debugging and handles auto-upgrades, patching and self-healing. With the help of AKS, container orchestration is simplified. You save a lot of time and it enables your developers to remain more productive as they are able to combat their biggest time-sinks.
2. Supports Agile Project Management
Most of the developer’s time is spent on bug-fixing. AKS reduces the wastage of time due to debugging and handles auto-upgrades, patching and self-healing. With the help of AKS, container orchestration is simplified. You save a lot of time and it enables your developers to remain more productive as they are able to combat their biggest time-sinks.One of the key benefits of AKS is that it supports agile development programs – Continuous Integration (CI), Continuous Delivery/ Continuous Deployment (CD) and DevOps.
3. Security and Compliance
Cybersecurity is of utmost importance. AKS protects your business by enabling administrators to tailor access to Azure Active Directory (AD) and identity and group identities. When people are provided only the access that they need, the threat is greatly reduced. AKS is also, totally compliant. It meets the regulatory requirements of System and Organization Controls (SOC), as well as being compliant with ISO, HIPAA, and HITRUST.
4. Ease of Application and Efficient Resource Utilization
The fully managed Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) makes deploying and managing containerized applications easy. Efficient resource utilization paves the way for elastic provisioning of additional capacity without the need to manage the infrastructure.
5. Faster End-to-end Development and Integration
AKS helps in minimizing infrastructure maintenance, using automated upgrades, repair, monitoring, and scaling. This leads to faster development and integration. It helps in provisioning additional compute capacity in Serverless Kubernetes in a matter of seconds, without worrying about how to manage the infrastructure.
6. Run any Workload in the Cloud
You are able to orchestrate any type of workload running in the environment of your choice. You can move .NET applications to Windows Server containers or modernize Java applications in Linux containers and also, run microservices applications in the public cloud. AKS has the solution for you.
7. Removes Complexities and Reduces Expenditure
AKS helps in removing the complexities with regard to implementing, installing, maintaining and securing Kubernetes in Azure. There is also, a substantial reduction in expenditures as there are no per-cluster charges levied on you.
8. Using only the Resources needed
AKS is considered to be a flexible system that adapts to use only the resources that you need. If you need more resources, then all you need to do is click a button and let the elasticity of Azure containers do the rest. This enables reduction in cost, easier scaling, and faster start-up speed.
For now, Kubernetes is the market leader and the standardized means of orchestrating contained and deploying distributed applications. Kubernetes can be run on a public cloud service or on-premises, is highly modular, open-source, and has a vibrant community.
We (AudvikLabs) have worked with companies of all sizes and have helped then invest in it.