Azure container platforms — summary & table of contents

This repository contains short reference documents for Azure container platforms as top-level files. Below is a concise summary and a linked table of contents that points to each file with a one-line description to help you find the right topic quickly.

Quick summary

The containers/ docs cover managed Kubernetes (AKS), AKS variants for automatic and edge scenarios, serverless container hosting (Azure Container Apps, Azure Container Instances), App Service for containerized web apps, Service Fabric for stateful microservices, and a comparison matrix that highlights trade-offs across these offerings.

Table of contents

• AKS.md — Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS): Microsoft’s managed Kubernetes service for deploying, managing, and scaling containerized applications with built-in integration to Azure services.
• AKS_AUTOMATIC.md — AKS Automatic: opinionated, fully managed AKS mode with production-ready defaults and automated node lifecycle management.
• AKS_EDGE_ESSENTIALS.md — AKS Edge Essentials: lightweight on‑prem/edge AKS distribution (K8s/K3s) managed via Azure Arc for IoT and edge scenarios.
• APPSERVICE_WEBAPP_CONTAINERS.md — Web App for Containers: run custom Docker web apps on Azure App Service (PaaS) with sidecar support and integrated monitoring.
• CONTAINERS.md — Comparison matrix: consolidated table comparing AKS Edge, Container Apps, Container Instances, Service Fabric, and Web App for Containers.
• CONTAINER_APPS.md — Azure Container Apps: serverless, event-driven, microservices platform with scale-to-zero and deep Azure integration.
• CONTAINER_INSTANCES.md — Azure Container Instances (ACI): fast, VM‑less containers for short-lived or burst workloads with per-second billing.
• SERVICE_FABRIC.md — Azure Service Fabric: distributed systems platform for building scalable, reliable stateful and stateless microservices.
• AZURE_ARC - Azure Arc: hybrid and multi-cloud management platform that extends Azure services and governance to on-premises, edge, and other clouds.
• AZURE_FLEET_MANAGER - Azure Kubernetes Fleet Manager: centralized multi-cluster management platform for orchestrating, monitoring, and maintaining multiple AKS clusters across regions and environments.
• AZURE_SPRING_BOOT.md — Azure Spring Apps: fully managed PaaS for running Spring Boot and Spring Cloud applications with automated infrastructure management and built-in Spring features.
• AZURE_REDHAT_OPENSHIFT.md — Azure Red Hat OpenShift (ARO): fully managed OpenShift service jointly operated by Microsoft and Red Hat for enterprise Kubernetes workloads with integrated Azure services.
• RECOMMENDATIONS.md — Container platform recommendations: guidance on choosing the right Azure container platform based on environment and workload characteristics.

When to choose (quick decision guide)

Use this quick guide to pick an Azure container option based on common requirements. Each line links to the fuller document above for details.

• Need full Kubernetes control and run complex containerized microservices? — Use AKS (AKS.md).
• Want a hands-off, managed Kubernetes experience with opinionated defaults? — Consider AKS Automatic (AKS_AUTOMATIC.md).
• Running on-premises or edge devices with cloud management? — Use AKS Edge Essentials + Azure Arc (AKS_EDGE_ESSENTIALS.md, AZURE_ARC.md).
• Need serverless scale, scale-to-zero, and event-driven microservices? — Use Azure Container Apps (CONTAINER_APPS.md).
• Run single, short-lived containers without orchestration? — Use Azure Container Instances (ACI) (CONTAINER_INSTANCES.md).
• Host web apps packaged as containers with PaaS features (TLS, routing, slots)? — Use Web App for Containers (APPSERVICE_WEBAPP_CONTAINERS.md).
• Require a managed OpenShift platform with enterprise support? — Use Azure Red Hat OpenShift (ARO) (AZURE_REDHAT_OPENSHIFT.md).
• Running Spring Boot/Cloud workloads and prefer a Spring-first managed PaaS? — Historically Azure Spring Apps (AZURE_SPRING_BOOT.md) — note: this service has a published retirement announcement; consult the Spring Apps doc for details and migration guidance.
• Need stateful microservices and strong actor/replicated state models? — Use Service Fabric (SERVICE_FABRIC.md).

How to use

• Open any file for a focused overview, core concepts, features, and common use cases (for example, AKS.md).
• Use the comparison in CONTAINERS.md when deciding which Azure container option best fits your workload (edge vs serverless vs managed K8s vs stateful microservices).

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Maintained as a navigational landing page for the containers/ documentation set.