Why Azure create Load balancer while Creating AKS cluster ?

Question

Hi

I have a few questions on my mind regarding AKS (Azure Kubernetes Service) and load balancers.

1. What is the role and significance of the load balancer that Azure deploys, be it basic or standard, during the creation of an AKS cluster? How does it impact the cluster's functionality and performance?
2. Is it feasible to establish an AKS cluster without incorporating a load balancer? If so, what implications or limitations would such a setup entail in terms of the cluster's operation and capabilities?
3. In the event that the load balancer associated with an AKS cluster is deleted, what are the potential consequences and disruptions that might arise within the cluster's network traffic management and application performance?

Answer 1

Hi @Omkar Pasalkar

Thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft Q&A platform.

The load balancer that Azure deploys during the creation of an AKS cluster is used to distribute traffic to the nodes in the cluster. The load balancer can be either a basic or standard load balancer, depending on the SKU that you choose when creating the AKS cluster. The load balancer is responsible for routing traffic to the appropriate node in the cluster based on the service that is being accessed.

1#The load balancer is a critical component of an AKS cluster and is required for the cluster to function properly. Without a load balancer, traffic would not be able to be distributed to the nodes in the cluster, which would result in poor performance and potentially even downtime.

2#It is not feasible to establish an AKS cluster without incorporating a load balancer. The load balancer is a required component of the cluster and cannot be removed. If you attempt to create an AKS cluster without a load balancer, the creation process will fail.

3#If the load balancer associated with an AKS cluster is deleted, it can have significant consequences and disruptions on the cluster's network traffic management and application performance. Without a load balancer, traffic will not be able to be distributed to the nodes in the cluster, which can result in poor performance and potentially even downtime. It is not recommended to delete the load balancer associated with an AKS cluster. If you need to make changes to the load balancer, it is recommended to do so through the Azure portal or Azure CLI.

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