Azure teams adopting Kubernetes for production services
Create controlled AKS foundations with Entra, networking, registries, nodes, policy, delivery, observability, security, and support.
AKS architecture, Entra identity, Azure networking, node pools, workload identity, policy, GitOps, observability, upgrades, and operations
Azure Kubernetes Service engineering
Rokad designs, builds, migrates, secures, upgrades, and operates Azure Kubernetes Service platforms for production container workloads.
Platform fit / 01
Designed for teams with a specific platform requirement.
AKS integrates Kubernetes with Microsoft Entra, Azure networking, registries, policy, monitoring, security, storage, and wider platform services. Rokad designs cluster boundaries, node pools, workload identity, network and ingress, add-ons, delivery, telemetry, upgrades, resilience, cost, and support as one operating platform.
Organisations migrating containers or legacy applications
Adapt workloads, configuration, storage, networking, identity, scaling, deployment, and operational ownership for AKS.
Enterprises standardising multiple AKS clusters
Align subscriptions, regions, environments, node pools, policies, add-ons, monitoring, upgrades, cost, and governance.
Implementation risks / 02
The platform problems Rokad is prepared to solve.
AKS clusters bypass the Azure landing-zone model
Subscriptions, virtual networks, private endpoints, DNS, identities, policies, logs, budgets, and ownership are inconsistent.
Entra, Azure RBAC, and Kubernetes RBAC overlap
Cluster administrators, groups, managed identities, service accounts, roles, secrets, and application access become difficult to reason about.
Node and Kubernetes lifecycle are reactive
Versions, node images, operating systems, add-ons, APIs, maintenance windows, workloads, and disruption are not rehearsed continuously.
Platform capabilities / 03
What Rokad can implement and operate.
01
AKS suitability, subscription, region, cluster, tenancy, workload, cost, and support assessment
02
Virtual networks, private clusters, private DNS, ingress, load balancing, egress, firewall, service mesh, and hybrid connectivity
03
System and user node pools, autoscaling, spot, Windows and Linux nodes, images, scheduling, capacity, and maintenance
04
Microsoft Entra, Azure RBAC, Kubernetes RBAC, workload identity, managed identities, Key Vault, policy, and secrets
05
Azure Container Registry, disks, files, managed databases, stateful workload decisions, backup, restore, and recovery
06
Helm, GitOps, Azure DevOps, GitHub Actions, progressive delivery, Azure Monitor, logs, traces, policy, and golden paths
07
Kubernetes and node upgrades, Defender, reliability, performance, cost, incidents, runbooks, and managed AKS operation
Implementation system / 04
The architecture behind a dependable platform delivery.
AKS cluster foundation
Subscriptions, networks, private connectivity, control plane, node pools, registries, DNS, storage, and shared add-ons.
Identity and policy
Entra groups, Azure and Kubernetes RBAC, managed identities, workload identity, namespaces, policy, secrets, and audit.
Delivery and telemetry
Helm, GitOps, pipelines, registries, progressive release, Monitor, logs, traces, alerts, objectives, and runbooks.
AKS operations
Versions, node images, add-ons, maintenance, capacity, incidents, backup, recovery, security, cost, and support.
Use cases / 05
Where this platform creates practical leverage.
Production private AKS platform
Establish subscriptions, networking, private access, identity, nodes, add-ons, delivery, telemetry, security, and operating procedures.
Application modernisation on AKS
Containerise services and connect Azure data, messaging, identity, secrets, monitoring, deployment, and recovery capabilities.
Enterprise multi-cluster AKS governance
Standardise clusters, policies, identities, networks, add-ons, templates, observability, upgrades, budgets, and ownership.
AKS version and node migration
Assess deprecated versions and images, test compatibility, build replacement pools, move workloads, validate, and retire old capacity.
Architecture / 06
Platform-specific engineering decisions and boundaries.
Cluster and subscription boundaries align
Separate environments and critical domains according to policy, network, billing, identity, blast radius, and lifecycle ownership.
Workload identity is preferred over embedded secrets
Use Entra-backed pod identity and scoped Azure roles for Key Vault, registries, storage, databases, and other services.
Node lifecycle is independent from application release
Use pools, surge capacity, disruption controls, maintenance windows, image tracking, and workload validation to update safely.
Quality and governance / 07
Production controls are part of the implementation.
Supported lifecycle
Cluster versions, node images, APIs, add-ons, operators, workloads, backups, and upgrade paths remain tested and supportable.
Workload and tenancy controls
Identity, namespaces, policies, secrets, resources, disruption, autoscaling, networking, storage, and isolation are explicit.
Observable platform operation
Control plane, nodes, workloads, networking, storage, delivery, security, capacity, cost, and incidents are visible to accountable operators.
Delivery / 08
A controlled path from assessment to operation.
Assess
Clarify the business outcome, current systems, platform constraints, data, integrations, risks, ownership, and measurable acceptance criteria.
Design
Define the platform architecture, workflow or storefront model, extensions, integrations, security, environments, and migration sequence.
Implement and validate
Build in controlled increments with testing, stakeholder review, observability, documentation, and platform-specific quality controls.
Launch and operate
Deploy safely, transfer ownership, monitor production behaviour, support users, and improve the implementation using operational evidence.
Typical platform deliverables
AKS cluster, workload, subscription, network, identity, add-on, security, cost, and risk assessment
Cluster, tenancy, network, node-pool, storage, identity, delivery, and operating architecture
Infrastructure code, AKS clusters, node pools, registries, policies, and shared services
Workload packaging, GitOps, CI/CD, autoscaling, resource, and reliability controls
Azure Monitor, Defender, backup, recovery, upgrade, cost, and incident workflows
Developer, platform, security, operator, and handover documentation
Engagement models / 09
Use the delivery structure that matches the platform work.
Assessment and roadmap
A bounded review of the current platform, requirements, gaps, risks, architecture, and an executable next-stage plan.
Fixed-scope implementation
A defined integration, migration, storefront, application, workflow, or platform outcome with explicit acceptance criteria.
Embedded platform specialists
Specialists working alongside internal product, engineering, operations, marketing, data, or enterprise teams.
Managed platform evolution
Ongoing maintenance, releases, integrations, support, optimisation, governance, and roadmap execution after launch.
Related platforms and services / 10
Compare adjacent platforms or continue into the wider system.
01
Amazon EKS
AWS-integrated Kubernetes with IAM, VPC networking, node platforms, add-ons, and operations.
02
Google GKE
Google Kubernetes Engine cluster, fleet, identity, networking, security, and lifecycle engineering.
03
Red Hat OpenShift
Enterprise Kubernetes and platform services across cloud, hybrid, and dedicated environments.
01
Cloud and DevOps
Cloud architecture, delivery automation, observability, security, reliability, and platform operation.
02
Software development
Custom applications, backends, integrations, APIs, marketplaces, and enterprise systems.
03
Managed technology services
Ongoing application, cloud, security, reliability, support, and continuous improvement.
FAQ
Azure Kubernetes Service engineering
Platform scope, ownership, licences, data, integrations, security, migration, and long-term operation are clarified before delivery.
01Can Rokad build private AKS clusters?
Can Rokad build private AKS clusters?
Yes. We design private API access, DNS, virtual networks, firewall and egress, registries, private endpoints, administration, and operational connectivity.
02Can AKS use Microsoft Entra workload identity?
Can AKS use Microsoft Entra workload identity?
Yes. We configure service accounts, federated identity, managed identities, Azure roles, Key Vault or service access, audit, and migration from static credentials.
03Can Rokad migrate Windows containers to AKS?
Can Rokad migrate Windows containers to AKS?
Where workload and platform support align, we assess application dependencies, images, node pools, networking, storage, identity, licensing, observability, and support requirements.
04Can Rokad manage AKS upgrades?
Can Rokad manage AKS upgrades?
Yes. We review Kubernetes versions, node images, APIs, add-ons, policies, workloads, capacity, disruption, backup, maintenance, validation, and recovery.
Azure Kubernetes Service · Kubernetes services
Operate AKS as part of Azure identity, network, security, and delivery architecture.
Rokad can build the cluster platform, migrate workloads, modernise identity and nodes, and manage continuous lifecycle operations.
Contact / 05
Bring us the difficult technology problem.
Tell us what you need to build, improve, procure, deploy, or operate. We will respond with a practical next step.