AZ-800 Administering Windows Server Hybrid Core Infrastructure Exam

Windows Server Node Pool Configuration and Integration

Configuring Windows Server node pools in AKS begins with choosing the right network plugin and authentication setup. Use Azure CNI to provide IP addresses from your existing VNet, which improves integration with other resources. You can also connect the cluster to Active Directory to manage user access with Role-Based Access Control (RBAC). This approach helps ensure that only authorized users can deploy or manage workloads on the nodes. Setting up node pools correctly lays the foundation for a secure hybrid environment.

There are two main network models in AKS for Windows Server nodes. You can choose from:

• Kubenet, which creates its own subnet for pods and uses network address translation (NAT).
• Azure CNI, which assigns pod IP addresses directly from your VNet.

Each model has trade-offs in terms of scalability and complexity. Choosing the right network plugin helps balance performance and manageability.

Ensuring proper DNS resolution is crucial for Windows Server node pools to communicate with Azure services. You need to allow outbound access to endpoints such as the AKS API server, Microsoft Container Registry, and Azure Storage accounts. Managing firewall rules and route tables ensures the nodes can pull container images and updates. You might also configure custom DNS servers or conditional forwarding to handle private endpoints in your VNet. Clear connectivity rules reduce deployment failures and runtime errors.

To keep workloads responsive, implement autoscaling policies that adjust resources automatically. Horizontal Pod Autoscaler or Cluster Autoscaler can add or remove nodes based on CPU or memory usage. You can define thresholds that trigger scaling actions to match demand without manual intervention. For security, use Network Security Groups (NSGs) and Azure Network Policy Manager to control traffic flows. This setup helps protect both external (North-South) and internal (East-West) communications.

Follow best practices to maximize security and performance in hybrid deployments. Use private endpoints for your Azure Container Registry, storage accounts, and Key Vault to limit exposure to the public internet. Keep these endpoints in the same VNet or in a peered network with your AKS cluster. Assign a system-assigned managed identity to the node pool so pods can securely access Azure resources. Regularly review and update your node pool configuration to adapt to changing workloads.

Conclusion

Configuring Windows Server node pools in AKS blends network setup, authentication, and autoscaling to support hybrid applications. We covered the differences between Kubenet and Azure CNI, as well as the need for proper DNS and connectivity. Autoscaling policies help match resource usage to demand, while NSGs and network policies ensure secure communications. Adhering to best practices like private endpoints and managed identities strengthens your infrastructure.