AZ-104 Microsoft Azure Administrator Exam

Configure and Secure Azure Container Registry

Azure Container Registry (ACR) is a service designed to store and manage Docker container images for use in Azure deployments. Setting up and securing ACR is essential for efficient and secure management of these images.

Managed Identity Authentication

A managed identity is a method for authenticating Azure resources to an Azure container registry without manual credential management. It simplifies access by allowing resources like Linux VMs or Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) clusters to authenticate automatically. Managed identities can be either user-assigned or system-assigned, and they streamline container image access.

Steps to set up managed identity:

• Enable a user-assigned or system-assigned identity on an Azure VM.
• Grant the necessary registry access to the managed identity.
• Use the managed identity to pull images from the registry securely.

Creating a Container Registry

You can create an Azure container registry using the Azure CLI or Azure PowerShell. This involves setting up the registry and managing container images locally using Docker.

Steps to create a container registry:

• Create the registry through Azure CLI or PowerShell commands.
• Push a sample Docker image to your newly created registry.
• Verify settings such as the registry name, service tier, and its accessibility.

Securing Container Images

Securing container images requires implementing access controls and integrating with Azure Active Directory (AAD). Managed identities must have defined roles with specific permissions—such as pull or push—to ensure secure interactions with the registry.

Best practices for securing container images:

• Assign roles to manage identities with necessary permissions.
• Integrate Azure Active Directory for secure authentication.
• Apply policies that check for vulnerabilities in container images.

Managing Container Registry Images

Managing images involves accessing the registry from outside Azure, including on Stack Edge devices, and performing operations like pushing and pulling. Secure access requires endpoints and certificates.

Steps to manage container registry images:

• Get endpoint details for the Edge container registry.
• Install the Edge container registry certificate securely.
• Authenticate and use Docker commands to manipulate images.

Conclusion

Configuring and securing the Azure Container Registry is crucial for handling container images efficiently. By setting up managed identities, implementing controlled access, and utilizing best practices for security integration with Azure Active Directory, administrators can maintain efficient and secure operations within Azure environments.