Azure Kubernetes Service

Jim analyzes and writes about Teams and other Microsoft services for collaboration and unified communication, Windows Server and related OSs,... more

Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS), Microsoft’s flagship Kubernetes (often abbreviated as “K8s”) offering, provides orchestration (deployment, provisioning, and automation) and management of container-based production applications as a managed Azure service. Kubernetes is the most broadly used open source software solution for container orchestration. AKS deploys and manages VM-based container host infrastructure and updates the VMs and Kubernetes software, which can simplify infrastructure management for the customer.

Product: Azure Kubernetes Service

Near Term (2026-2027)

AKS receives numerous and frequent updates, with improvements provided both by AKS itself in the form of management and Azure integrations, and by new Kubernetes versions. Notable AKS capabilities in preview include the following:

Application Gateway for Containers, a managing load balancing system for Kubernetes workloads, is adding AI gateway capabilities in preview that can route traffic requests to better serve LLM and inference workloads. Application Gateway for Containers can also be provisioned into AKS Automatic.

Atlas Members have full access

Get access to this and thousands of other unbiased analyses, roadmaps, decision kits, infographics, reference guides, and more, all included with membership. Comprehensive access to the most in-depth and unbiased expertise for Microsoft enterprise decision-making is waiting.

Membership Options

Already have an account? Login Now

Not a member but want to see the full content? Contact us.