2025 - Pixel Robots.

Setting Up Distributed Tracing with Tempo on AKS: Azure Blob Storage Backend and Private Link Connectivity

Reading Time: 5 minutesRecently, I was tasked with implementing distributed tracing for a microservices platform running on Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS). The requirements were clear: use Grafana Tempo for trace storage, Azure Blob Storage as the backend for cost-effectiveness, and ensure all connectivity remained private for security compliance. What started as a straightforward Read more

By Pixel Robots., 1 month ago October 2, 2025

AKS

Connecting to a Private AKS Cluster with Azure Bastion – No Jump Box Needed!

Reading Time: 3 minutesIf you have been following me for a while, you will know I am a big fan of Private AKS clusters. Keeping your API server off the public internet is one of the easiest wins for improving cluster security. The problem?Connecting to them has never been that smooth. With a Read more

By Pixel Robots., 3 months ago August 12, 2025

AKS

Tracking AKS Docs and Releases – My New Tool

Reading Time: 2 minutesIf you have been following my blog for a while you will know I like to keep up to date with all things AKS. Over the years I have built up a routine of checking the docs, scanning the release notes, and making sure I do not miss anything important. Read more

By Pixel Robots., 3 months ago August 9, 2025

AKS

AKS VMSS node pools: 3 config models and real-world lessons with deallocated nodes

Reading Time: 2 minutesIntro I recently ran into capacity issues in Azure and saw firsthand how AKS VMSS node pools behave when you use deallocated nodes to speed up start-times. I’ll walk through the three node-pool zone models documented by Microsoft, then share what really happened in my setup and how I worked Read more

By Pixel Robots., 3 months ago August 5, 2025

AKS

Cost-Optimised Add-on Scaling in AKS: Right-Size Your System Add-ons (Preview)

Reading Time: 6 minutesRecently, while catching up on the latest AKS release notes, I spotted a brand-new preview feature that promises to trim unnecessary CPU and memory usage from system add-ons: cost optimised add-on scaling.In a nutshell, Microsoft has wired the managed Vertical Pod Autoscaler (VPA) into key AKS add-ons (think CoreDNS, Workload Read more

By Pixel Robots., 5 months ago June 20, 2025

AKS

AKS Managed Namespaces Now in Preview

Reading Time: 4 minutesRecently while testing out the latest version of the aks-preview Azure CLI extension, I stumbled across a new preview feature: Managed Namespaces in Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS). At the time of writing, this feature hasn’t been officially documented by Microsoft, but you can already try it for yourself using the Read more

By Pixel Robots., 6 months ago May 28, 2025

AKS

How to Set Up an AKS Node Pool maxCount Alert Using KQL and ARG

Reading Time: 5 minutesIf you’re running an Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) cluster, you know how critical it is to monitor your node pools, especially when they hit their maximum node count and can’t scale further. Recently, I faced the challenge of building an Azure alert that dynamically checks every node pool in an Read more

By Pixel Robots., 6 months ago May 1, 2025

Kubernetes

Why I Built KubeDeck: Enhancing Kubernetes Management with PowerShell

Reading Time: 5 minutesOver the past several years, I’ve immersed myself in Kubernetes, navigating its complexities and integrating it into various projects. This extensive experience highlighted certain challenges, particularly for those of us with a strong PowerShell background. Recognizing these pain points led me to develop KubeDeck, a suite of PowerShell tools aimed Read more

By Pixel Robots., 8 months ago March 13, 2025

Kubernetes

Mastering Helm: Using –set for Quick and Powerful Chart Customization

Reading Time: 3 minutesHelm is a powerful tool for managing Kubernetes resources, simplifying the deployment and configuration of complex applications. When deploying or updating a Helm chart, commands like helm install and helm upgrade –install allow you to install or upgrade releases effortlessly. The –set command adds a layer of flexibility, enabling you Read more

By Pixel Robots., 9 months ago January 28, 2025

Kubernetes

Pod Disruption Budgets: Why They Matter in Kubernetes

Reading Time: 3 minutesWhen managing workloads in Kubernetes, keeping your applications running smoothly during planned disruptions can be challenging. That’s where Pod Disruption Budgets (PDBs) come in. They define policies for managing pod evictions gracefully, ensuring your services stay available without unnecessary downtime. This post explains what PDBs are, why they matter, best Read more

By Pixel Robots., 10 months ago January 24, 2025