Introduction

Deploying Kubernetes clusters efficiently is key for cloud-native practitioners and DevOps engineers. Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) simplifies this process, especially with the new AKS Automatic (Preview) deployment option. This tutorial provides a beginner-friendly, step-by-step guide to help you leverage AKS Automatic for scalable, modern cloud-native workloads.

What is AKS Automatic?

AKS Automatic (Preview) offers an intelligent, managed deployment experience. It automates node management, upgrades, security policies, and networking configurations, reducing operational overhead and streamlining Day-2 operations. It’s designed to integrate with Azure Arc innovations, enabling hybrid deployments and seamless management across environments.

Prerequisites

An Azure account with appropriate permissions
Azure CLI installed (version supporting AKS auto) or Azure Portal access
Basic understanding of Kubernetes concepts

Step 1: Create an AKS Automatic Cluster

Using Azure CLI, run the following command, replacing placeholders as needed:

az aks create \
  --name MyAutoAKSCluster \
  --resource-group MyResourceGroup \
  --enable-managed-identity \
  --auto-upgrade-channel stable \
  --enable-node-autoprovisioning \
  --network-plugin azure \
  --enable-cluster-autoscaler \
  --min-count 1 \
  --max-count 10 \
  --enable-workload-identity \
  --approvals All

This command deploys an AKS cluster with auto-managed node pools, integrated workload identity, and autoscaling, aligned with the Automatic variant.

Step 2: Networking and Security Setup

AKS Automatic clusters utilize Azure CNI Overlay powered by Cilium for high-performance, secure networking.

Networking: Configured by default, it supports private clusters and private API server access.
Security: Built-in workload identity (via Microsoft Entra ID) provides secure identity management with OpenID Connect (OIDC) support.
Policy Enforcement: Azure Policy safeguards Kubernetes best practices.

Implement network policies and Azure RBAC to control access granularly.

Step 3: Deploy an Application

Use your CI/CD pipelines or local kubectl commands to deploy your containerized app:

kubectl create deployment my-app --image=nginx
kubectl expose deployment my-app --port=80 --target-port=80

The cluster auto-scales your nodes based on workload demands, thanks to Node Autoprovisioning and autoscaler features.

Step 4: Manage Day-2 Ops

AKS Automatic simplifies ongoing management:

Auto-Upgrades: Clusters update within a supported channel, keeping Kubernetes secure and feature-rich.
Node Auto-Repair: Unhealthy nodes are repaired automatically.
Monitoring: Integrated with Azure Monitor, Prometheus, and Grafana for metrics and logs.
Networking: Managed NAT gateway ensures scalable outbound NAT, with options for private ingress, Istio service mesh, or custom ingress controllers.

Final Tips

Use Azure Arc integration to extend management across hybrid environments.
Regularly review policies and security configurations, enabled by deployment safeguards.
Plan maintenance windows to avoid disruptions during upgrades.

Conclusion

The AKS Automatic (Preview) deployment empowers cloud-native teams to focus on application development rather than operational overhead. By leveraging managed automation features—such as nodes, upgrades, networking, and security—your clusters become more resilient, scalable, and easier to manage. Stay tuned to Azure updates for emerging features and best practices to keep your deployment at the forefront of cloud-native innovation.

Easy AKS Deployment with Automatic (Preview)