ACI vs AKS

In this lecture, you’ll be introduced to two primary container services in Azure: Azure Container Instances (ACI) and Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS). You’ll learn that containers are essential for packaging and deploying cloud applications efficiently. The discussion begins with ACI, highlighting its ease of use for running containers in Azure without the hassle of managing virtual machines or complex services. This makes ACI an excellent choice for single-container scenarios, such as straightforward applications, task automation, or build jobs.

As the lecture progresses, the focus shifts to scenarios that require more robust container orchestration. Here, you’ll learn about AKS, which is recommended for situations needing service discovery among multiple containers, auto-scaling, and coordinated application updates. AKS simplifies Kubernetes cluster deployment and management by shifting operational responsibilities to Azure. This includes automatic health monitoring and maintenance. With AKS, you’re informed that while Azure takes care of the Kubernetes master nodes, your responsibility lies with managing the agent nodes.

Furthermore, the lecture will cover the deployment options for AKS clusters, including Azure CLI, Azure Portal, PowerShell, and templates like ARM, Bicep, and Terraform. Advanced configurations such as networking, Azure AD integration, and monitoring are also mentioned as part of the AKS deployment process.

In summary, this lecture will equip you with the knowledge to differentiate when to use ACI for simple, isolated container scenarios and when to utilize AKS for more complex container orchestration needs. This understanding is crucial, especially when considering which Azure container service to select for various applications and when preparing for Azure-related exams.