Azure Linux 3.0 Preview Now Available on Azure Kubernetes Service v1.31

Microsoft has launched Azure Linux 3.0 in preview on AKS v1.31, featuring key updates in performance, security, and developer tools.

Published: Nov 07, 2024

Cloud Computing and Security

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Key Takeaways:

  • Azure Linux 3.0 introduces the latest LTS kernel, enhancing performance and security.
  • Key updates include OpenSSL (v3.3.0), SystemD (v255), and Containerd (v1.7.13), along with enhanced tooling and package availability for easier developer workflows.
  • Azure Linux 3.0 requires registering the feature flag and is not supported on AKS versions 1.30 and below.

Microsoft has announced the preview of Azure Linux 3.0 on AKS version 1.31, marking a significant update to its Azure Linux container host for Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS). This latest release brings a host of upgrades to key components, promising enhanced performance, security, and developer tools.

Microsoft showcased several key updates in Azure Linux 3.0, including the use of the latest Long-Term Support (LTS) kernel, which boosts both performance and security. Moreover, SELinux is now set to “enforcing” mode by default to offer enhanced security controls.

Additionally, Microsoft has upgraded key components such as OpenSSL (v3.3.0), SystemD (v255), and Containerd (v1.7.13). The update also improves tooling and package availability, streamlining the development experience with Azure Linux.

How to use Azure Linux 3.0 in preview

To get started with Azure Linux 3.0 (Preview) on AKS version 1.31, customers must first register the Azure Linux 3.0 feature flag in their Azure subscription. This can be done by running the following az CLI command: az feature register –namespace Microsoft.ContainerService –name AzureLinuxV3Preview

Azure Linux 3.0 Preview Now Available on Azure Kubernetes Service v1.31
AKS version 1.31 (Image Credit: Microsoft)

Once registered, any new AKS version 1.31 clusters or node pools created with the –os-sku=AzureLinux option will automatically use Azure Linux 3.0 by default. Administrators can use any method (such as CLI, PowerShell, Terraform, and ARM) to deploy Azure Linux 3.0 clusters or node pools.

Limitations

It’s important to note that Azure Linux 3.0 Preview is not supported on AKS versions 1.30 or earlier. Additionally, existing clusters or node pools running Azure Linux 2.0 cannot be upgraded to version 3.0 during the public preview.

The Azure Linux 3.0 FIPS (Federal Information Processing Standards) image is currently in preview and meets the FIPS compliance requirements, which are essential for cryptographic modules used by federal agencies to ensure data security. Microsoft will continue gathering user feedback to improve the service ahead of Azure Linux 3.0’s general availability on AKS version 1.32.

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