Prebuilt Docker images for inference

Prebuilt Docker container images for inference are used when deploying a model with Azure Machine Learning. The images are prebuilt with popular machine learning frameworks and Python packages. You can also extend the packages to add other packages by using one of the following methods:

Why should I use prebuilt images?

  • Reduces model deployment latency
  • Improves model deployment success rate
  • Avoids unnecessary image build during model deployment
  • Includes only the required dependencies and access right in the image/container

List of prebuilt Docker images for inference

Important

The list provided in the following table includes only the inference Docker images that Azure Machine Learning currently supports.

  • All the Docker images run as non-root user.
  • We recommend using the latest tag for Docker images. Prebuilt Docker images for inference are published to the Microsoft container registry (MCR). For information on how to query the list of tags available, see the MCR GitHub repository.
  • If you want to use a specific tag for any inference Docker image, Azure Machine Learning supports tags that range from latest to six months older than latest.

Inference minimal base images

Framework version CPU/GPU Pre-installed packages MCR Path
NA CPU NA mcr.microsoft.com/azureml/minimal-ubuntu20.04-py38-cpu-inference:latest
NA GPU NA mcr.microsoft.com/azureml/minimal-ubuntu20.04-py38-cuda11.6.2-gpu-inference:latest
NA CPU NA mcr.microsoft.com/azureml/minimal-ubuntu22.04-py39-cpu-inference:latest
NA GPU NA mcr.microsoft.com/azureml/minimal-ubuntu22.04-py39-cuda11.8-gpu-inference:latest

Note

Azure Machine Learning supports Curated environments. You can browse curated environments and add filter for Tags: Inferencing.