Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS)

  • Author: Ronald Fung

  • Creation Date: 25 May 2023

  • Next Modified Date: 25 May 2024

A. Introduction

Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) simplifies deploying a managed Kubernetes cluster in Azure by offloading the operational overhead to Azure. As a hosted Kubernetes service, Azure handles critical tasks, like health monitoring and maintenance. When you create an AKS cluster, a control plane is automatically created and configured. This control plane is provided at no cost as a managed Azure resource abstracted from the user. You only pay for and manage the nodes attached to the AKS cluster.

You can create an AKS cluster using:

When you deploy an AKS cluster, you specify the number and size of the nodes, and AKS deploys and configures the Kubernetes control plane and nodes. Advanced networking, Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) integration, monitoring, and other features can be configured during the deployment process.

For more information on Kubernetes basics, see Kubernetes core concepts for AKS.

B. How is it used at Seagen

As a biopharma research company, Seagen can use Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) to deploy and manage its containerized applications and services. AKS is a fully managed Kubernetes service that simplifies the deployment and management of Kubernetes clusters in Azure.

Here are some ways Seagen could use Azure Kubernetes Service:

  1. Deploying containerized applications: Seagen can use AKS to deploy its containerized applications and services to Kubernetes clusters. This enables Seagen to manage its applications in a more structured and efficient manner, reducing the risk of errors and inconsistencies in its deployments.

  2. Scaling applications: AKS enables Seagen to scale its applications and services automatically based on demand. This ensures that Seagen’s applications and services can handle increased traffic and workload without manual intervention.

  3. Managing multiple environments: AKS provides a platform for managing multiple environments, such as development, staging, and production. This enables Seagen to manage its resources across different environments in a more structured and efficient manner, reducing the risk of errors and inconsistencies in its deployments.

  4. Automating infrastructure deployment: AKS provides a platform for automating the deployment of infrastructure resources, such as virtual machines and storage accounts, to Kubernetes clusters. This enables Seagen to manage its infrastructure in a more structured and efficient manner, reducing the risk of errors and inconsistencies in its deployments.

  5. Integrating with DevOps: AKS integrates with DevOps workflows, enabling Seagen to automate the deployment and management of its applications and infrastructure.

Overall, Azure Kubernetes Service provides a powerful platform for managing and deploying containerized applications and services. Its fully managed service, scaling capabilities, and integration with DevOps workflows enable Seagen to manage its resources more efficiently, reducing the risk of errors and inconsistencies in its deployments.

C. Features

Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) is a fully managed Kubernetes service that simplifies the deployment and management of Kubernetes clusters in Azure. Some of the key features of AKS include:

  1. Fully managed service: AKS is a fully managed service that handles the deployment, scaling, and management of Kubernetes clusters. This enables organizations to focus on developing and deploying their applications, without worrying about the underlying infrastructure.

  2. Automatic scaling: AKS enables automatic scaling of applications and services based on demand. This ensures that applications and services can handle increased traffic and workload without manual intervention.

  3. High availability: AKS provides a highly available platform for running Kubernetes clusters, ensuring that applications and services are always available, even in the event of a failure.

  4. Security: AKS provides a secure platform for running Kubernetes clusters, with features such as role-based access control (RBAC), network security policies, and integration with Azure Active Directory.

  5. Integration with Azure services: AKS integrates with other Azure services, such as Azure Monitor and Azure DevOps, enabling organizations to monitor and manage their applications and infrastructure more efficiently.

  6. Support for hybrid environments: AKS supports hybrid environments, enabling organizations to run Kubernetes clusters both on-premises and in the cloud, using a single control plane.

  7. DevOps integration: AKS integrates with DevOps workflows, enabling organizations to automate the deployment and management of their applications and infrastructure.

Overall, Azure Kubernetes Service provides a powerful platform for managing and deploying containerized applications and services. Its fully managed service, automatic scaling, high availability, security features, and integration with other Azure services make it a popular choice for organizations looking to deploy and manage Kubernetes clusters in the cloud.

D. Where Implemented

LeanIX

E. How it is tested

Testing Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) involves several steps that include:

  1. Setting up the testing environment: The first step is to create a testing environment that is separate from the production environment. This ensures that any issues or bugs discovered during testing do not affect the live system.

  2. Creating test cases: The next step is to create test cases that cover all the functionalities of AKS. Test cases should include positive and negative scenarios, edge cases, and stress tests.

  3. Running tests: Once the test cases are created, the next step is to run the tests. This involves executing the test cases and recording the results.

  4. Debugging and fixing issues: If any issues or bugs are discovered during testing, they must be debugged and fixed before proceeding with further testing.

  5. Repeat testing: After fixing the issues, the tests must be run again to ensure that the fixes have been successful and there are no further issues.

  6. Integration testing: Once AKS has been tested, it must be integrated with other systems and applications to ensure that it works seamlessly with other components.

  7. User acceptance testing: Finally, AKS must undergo user acceptance testing to ensure that it meets the requirements of the end-users.

Overall, testing AKS involves a comprehensive testing approach that covers all the functionalities of the solution and ensures that it meets the requirements of the end-users. Testing should include both functional and non-functional testing, such as performance testing, security testing, and scalability testing.

F. 2023 Roadmap

????

G. 2024 Roadmap

????

H. Known Issues

Like all software products, Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) may have some known issues. Here are some of the known issues for AKS:

  1. Network performance issues: Some users have reported network performance issues related to AKS. This can impact the performance of AKS and the overall user experience.

  2. Configuration issues: Configuring AKS correctly can be complex, and there may be issues related to configuration that impact the functionality of the solution.

  3. Compatibility issues: AKS may have compatibility issues with some third-party applications and systems. This can impact the performance of AKS and the overall user experience.

  4. Documentation: Some users have reported that the documentation for AKS can be confusing or incomplete. This requires users to spend additional time understanding the solution and its functionality.

  5. Performance issues: AKS relies on cloud-based infrastructure, which may cause latency issues when retrieving data from various sources. This can impact the performance of AKS and the overall user experience.

  6. Security issues: As with any cloud-based solution, there may be security issues related to AKS. Organizations must take steps to ensure that their deployments are secure and compliant with industry standards.

Overall, while Azure Kubernetes Service is a powerful solution for managing and deploying Kubernetes clusters, users must be aware of these known issues and take steps to mitigate their impact. This may include addressing configuration issues, providing adequate training to users, and ensuring that AKS is compatible with other systems and applications.

[x] Reviewed by Enterprise Architecture

[x] Reviewed by Application Development

[x] Reviewed by Data Architecture