Deploy a Python Flask application on Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) using Azure DevOps CI/CD pipelines

Deploying a Python Flask application on Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) using Azure DevOps CI/CD pipelines involves several steps, from setting up your infrastructure to automating your deployment process. 

Here is the general architecture diagram that we will be deploying

Here's a detailed guide:

---

Step 1: Prerequisites

Ensure you have the following:

1. Azure Resources:

   • AKS cluster
   • Azure Container Registry (ACR)

2. Development Setup:

   • Python Flask application
   • Dockerfile in the root directory of your Flask application
   • Kubernetes manifests (deployment.yaml, service.yaml)

3. Azure DevOps:

   • An Azure DevOps organization and project
   • Service connection for Azure

4. Tools:

   • Azure CLI
   • kubectl
   • Docker

---

Step 2: Set Up the Flask Application

1. Create Flask Application:

   from flask import Flask
   
   app = Flask(__name__)
   
   @app.route('/')
   def home():
       return "Hello, Azure AKS!"
   
   if __name__ == '__main__':
       app.run(host='0.0.0.0', port=5000)

2. Create Dockerfile:

   # Use the official Python image
   FROM python:3.9-slim
   
   # Set the working directory
   WORKDIR /app
   
   # Copy the requirements file
   COPY requirements.txt .
   
   # Install dependencies
   RUN pip install -r requirements.txt
   
   # Copy application files
   COPY . .
   
   # Expose the application port
   EXPOSE 5000
   
   # Run the Flask application
   CMD ["python", "app.py"]

3. Requirements File (requirements.txt):

   flask

---

Step 3: Kubernetes Manifests

1. Deployment YAML (deployment.yaml):

   apiVersion: apps/v1
   kind: Deployment
   metadata:
     name: flask-app
   spec:
     replicas: 2
     selector:
       matchLabels:
         app: flask-app
     template:
       metadata:
         labels:
           app: flask-app
       spec:
         containers:
         - name: flask-app
           image: <your_acr_name>.azurecr.io/flask-app:latest
           ports:
           - containerPort: 5000

2. Service YAML (service.yaml):

   apiVersion: v1
   kind: Service
   metadata:
     name: flask-service
   spec:
     selector:
       app: flask-app
     ports:
     - protocol: TCP
       port: 80
       targetPort: 5000
     type: LoadBalancer

---

Step 4: Push Docker Image to Azure Container Registry

1. Login to ACR:

   az acr login --name <your_acr_name>

2. Build and Push Docker Image:

   docker build -t <your_acr_name>.azurecr.io/flask-app:latest .
   docker push <your_acr_name>.azurecr.io/flask-app:latest

---

Step 5: Configure Azure DevOps CI/CD Pipeline

Create a Service Connection

1. In Azure DevOps, navigate to Project Settings > Service connections.
2. Create a new Azure Resource Manager connection with Contributor access to your resource group.

Create a CI Pipeline (Build Pipeline)

1. Navigate to Pipelines > New Pipeline.

2. Select your repository and use the following YAML:

   trigger:
     - main
   
   pool:
     vmImage: 'ubuntu-latest'
   
   steps:
     - task: UsePythonVersion@0
       inputs:
         versionSpec: '3.x'
         addToPath: true
   
     - script: |
         python -m pip install --upgrade pip
         pip install -r requirements.txt
       displayName: 'Install dependencies'
   
     - script: |
         docker build -t $(ACR_NAME).azurecr.io/flask-app:$(Build.BuildId) .
         docker push $(ACR_NAME).azurecr.io/flask-app:$(Build.BuildId)
       displayName: 'Build and Push Docker Image'
       env:
         ACR_NAME: <your_acr_name>
         DOCKER_PASSWORD: $(DOCKER_PASSWORD)
         DOCKER_USERNAME: $(DOCKER_USERNAME)

3. Save and run the pipeline.

Create a CD Pipeline (Release Pipeline)

1. Navigate to Releases > New Release Pipeline.

2. Define a stage to deploy to AKS.

3. Add an Azure CLI Task with the following script:

   az aks get-credentials --resource-group <resource_group> --name <aks_cluster_name>
   kubectl apply -f deployment.yaml
   kubectl apply -f service.yaml
   

4. Use artifacts from the CI pipeline.

---

Step 6: Test the Deployment

1. Find the external IP of the LoadBalancer service:

   kubectl get service flask-service

2. Access your application in the browser:

   http://<external-ip>

---

Optional: Automate with Helm

Use Helm charts to package your application for easier deployment and upgrades.

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