Logging with Azure Monitor Logs - Tutorial

In Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS), logging is a crucial aspect of monitoring and troubleshooting your applications. Azure Monitor Logs provides a powerful solution for collecting, analyzing, and visualizing log data from your AKS clusters. This tutorial will guide you through the process of setting up and utilizing Azure Monitor Logs for effective logging in AKS.

Prerequisites

Before getting started, ensure you have the following prerequisites:

  • An Azure subscription
  • An AKS cluster deployed
  • Azure CLI installed

Step 1: Enable Azure Monitor Logs

To enable Azure Monitor Logs for your AKS cluster, execute the following Azure CLI command:

az aks enable-addons --addons monitoring --resource-group --name

Step 2: Configure Log Analytics Workspace

Next, you need to configure a Log Analytics Workspace to store the log data. Follow these steps:

  1. Create a new Log Analytics Workspace using the Azure portal or Azure CLI.
  2. Associate the Log Analytics Workspace with your AKS cluster using the following Azure CLI command:
az aks update -g -n --workspace-resource-id

Step 3: View and Query Logs

Once you have enabled Azure Monitor Logs and configured the Log Analytics Workspace, you can start viewing and querying logs.

For example, to retrieve the logs for a specific AKS node, use the following Azure CLI command:

az monitor log-analytics workspace query -g --workspace-name --analytics-query "ContainerLog | where TimeGenerated > ago(1d) | where Computer contains ''"

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Forgetting to enable Azure Monitor Logs for your AKS cluster.
  • Not configuring a Log Analytics Workspace or associating it with the AKS cluster.
  • Using incorrect query syntax when retrieving logs.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. How much does Azure Monitor Logs cost?

    Azure Monitor Logs pricing depends on the amount of data ingested and stored. You can refer to the Azure Monitor pricing documentation for more details.

  2. Can I use Azure Monitor Logs with other container orchestrators?

    Azure Monitor Logs is primarily designed for Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS), but you can also integrate it with other container orchestrators by using custom logging solutions.

  3. How long are the logs retained in Azure Monitor Logs?

    By default, logs are retained for 30 days in Azure Monitor Logs. You can configure a longer retention period if needed.

  4. Can I set up alerts based on log data?

    Yes, Azure Monitor allows you to create alerts based on log data. You can define custom alert rules to trigger actions based on specific log events or conditions.

  5. Is it possible to export logs from Azure Monitor Logs?

    Yes, you can export logs from Azure Monitor Logs to external destinations such as Azure Storage, Event Hubs, or Log Analytics workspaces in other subscriptions.

Summary

Logging with Azure Monitor Logs in Azure Kubernetes Service is essential for monitoring and troubleshooting your applications. By following the steps outlined in this tutorial, you can enable Azure Monitor Logs, configure a Log Analytics Workspace, and effectively view and query your log data. Remember to avoid common mistakes like forgetting to enable Azure Monitor Logs and not associating a Log Analytics Workspace with your AKS cluster. With Azure Monitor Logs, you can gain valuable insights and ensure the smooth operation of your AKS workloads.