k8or on Azure

Tailoring the Kubernetes cluster with Pre-Selected Products on Azure AKS: An In-Depth Look

Raj Mars Marni February 4, 2024

Here's a detailed map and guide to building k8or example using managed Azure services:

Managed Services:

Scheduling and Orchestration:

Instead of managing your own control plane, leverage Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS). This fully managed service handles upgrades, patching, and scaling, making it ideal for beginners and experienced users alike.

Database:

For managed relational databases, choose Azure Database for MySQL, PostgreSQL, or MariaDB. For NoSQL, consider Azure Cosmos DB or Azure Table Storage.

Continuous Integration and Delivery:

Employ Azure DevOps Pipelines for building, testing, and deploying your applications to the cluster. It integrates seamlessly with other Azure services and supports diverse build configurations.

Streaming and Messaging:

Utilize Azure Event Hubs for a managed publish-subscribe messaging system. It offers high scalability, reliability, and integration with other Azure services.

Service Mesh:

Simplify service-to-service communication with Azure Service Mesh. It provides traffic management, observability, and security features for your AKS applications.

API Gateway:

Use Azure API Management for managing and securing external access to your applications. It simplifies API development, offers scalability, and provides policy enforcement and analytics.

Monitoring:

For comprehensive monitoring of your cluster and applications, utilize Azure Monitor. It collects metrics, logs, and events for analysis and troubleshooting.

Logging:

Employ Azure Log Analytics for centralized log management. It aggregates logs from various sources and allows filtering, analysis, and visualization.

Storage:

Depending on your needs, consider:

Azure Blob Storage: Object storage for unstructured data like backups and media.
Azure Managed Disks: Block storage for persistent volumes attached to applications.
Azure Files: Managed file shares for containerized applications.

Container Registry:

Store and manage container images securely with Azure Container Registry (ACR). It integrates seamlessly with AKS deployments.

Deployment Steps:

Create an Azure Account: Sign up for a free tier account on Azure.
Launch an AKS Cluster and set up a basic cluster using the Azure portal or Azure CLI.
Configure Managed Services:
- Database: Create Azure Database instances or provision Cosmos DB/Table Storage resources following their respective documentation.
- Continuous Integration and Delivery: Set up an Azure DevOps Pipeline with necessary steps for code building, testing, and deployment to AKS.
- Streaming and Messaging: Create an Event Hubs namespace and configure event producers and consumers as needed.
- Service Mesh: Enable Azure Service Mesh on your AKS cluster and configure service meshes for your applications.
- API Gateway: Create and configure API Management policies and gateways for your public or private APIs.
- Monitoring: Install the Azure Monitor agent on your cluster nodes and configure dashboards for metrics, logs, and events.
- Logging: Install the Azure Monitor agent on your cluster nodes and configure dashboards for metrics, logs, and events.
- Storage: Create appropriate storage resources based on your application needs.
- Container Registry: Set up an ACR repository to store and manage your container images.
Deploy Applications: Use kubectl or tools like Helm to deploy your applications to the AKS cluster, leveraging container images from ACR.

Additional Resources:

Azure Documentation: The official documentation for each service offers detailed instructions and best practices.
Azure Quickstart Guides: Various Azure services provide Getting Started guides that simplify initial setup.
Azure Labs: Participate in free online labs to gain practical experience with various services.

Remember:

This is a high-level overview. Each service has its own configuration options and considerations.
Start small and gradually add complexity as you become more comfortable with Azure and Kubernetes.
Consider security best practices throughout the deployment process.
Leverage Azure documentation and support resources for further assistance.
By following these steps and utilizing the recommended managed services, you can build a robust and scalable Kubernetes cluster on Azure, even with limited prior experience.
Important Note: While similar in core functionality, there are some key differences between various cloud provider offerings in terms of naming conventions and specific features. Be sure to carefully review the individual service documentation within the Azure ecosystem to ensure you understand their capabilities and limitations.