Configuring Applications in AKS
1. Configuring Applications in AKS
This video will focus on how applications are configured in Azure Kubernetes Service.2. Configuring applications in AKS
In real-world applications, configuration changes frequently. Connection strings, feature flags, and environment-specific values often vary between development, testing, and production. Rebuilding container images for every configuration change is inefficient and error-prone.3. Configuring applications in AKS
Kubernetes solves this by separating application code from configuration, allowing you to update behavior without redeploying images.4. Environment variables
The simplest way to configure applications in Kubernetes is through environment variables.5. Environment variables
These values are injected into containers when pods start, making them accessible to the running application.6. Environment variables
Environment variables are commonly used for settings like environment names, logging levels, or external service URLs. This approach keeps images reusable across different environments.7. ConfigMaps
A ConfigMap is a Kubernetes resource that stores non-sensitive configuration data, such as URLs, feature flags, or small settings files.8. ConfigMaps
When you create a ConfigMap, you can provide key-value pairs or small files that your application will use.9. ConfigMaps
The application can then read these values as environment variables or as files mounted inside the container.10. ConfigMaps
This means you can change configuration - like updating a URL for a running environment - without rebuilding or redeploying your container image.11. ConfigMaps
ConfigMaps can also be shared across multiple applications, which helps maintain consistency in larger systems.12. Secrets
Secrets are similar to ConfigMaps, but they are designed for sensitive data, like passwords, API keys, or database connection strings. Unlike ConfigMaps, Secrets are stored more securely within the cluster.13. Secrets
They can be referenced by pods in the same way as ConfigMaps, either as environment variables or as files. Using Secrets ensures sensitive data is not baked into container images or visible in source code, while allowing applications to access what they need securely.14. Updating configuration
By separating configuration from your container images, you can update ConfigMaps and Secrets independently of your application code. Kubernetes automatically provides the updated configuration to new pods. This makes rolling out changes predictable and reduces the risk of introducing errors in production environments.15. Recap
Azure Kubernetes Service encourages a clear separation between container images and configuration. Using environment variables, ConfigMaps, and Secrets, you can adapt applications across environments without rebuilding images, keeping deployments flexible and secure.16. Let's practice!
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