Developing and Deploying MERN Stack on Azure AKS: A Comprehensive Guide

Abstract

This paper introduces Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS), a managed Kubernetes service provided by Microsoft Azure that enables the execution and management of containerized applications in the cloud. The prerequisite knowledge for engaging with AKS, including familiarity with Docker and Kubernetes fundamentals, is highlighted, alongside resources for acquiring this essential information. The document outlines the preliminary steps necessary to begin utilizing AKS, such as creating a Microsoft Azure account, securing a subscription for billing purposes, and various methods for creating an AKS cluster, including through the Azure portal, Azure CLI, and REST API. Additionally, the paper details the process of installing and configuring Azure CLI and kubectl for AKS cluster management, integrating and attaching a container registry to the cluster, and creating a deployment coupled with a Load Balancer service for external access. Accessing the AKS dashboard through Kubeconfig or Token, and important considerations for managing cloud expenses by deleting unnecessary resources, are also discussed. This comprehensive guide aims to equip users with the knowledge to successfully deploy and manage containerized applications using AKS, emphasizing ease of use, scalability, and operational efficiency.