Azure Container Registry

For those working in the cloud and container space, Azure Container Registry (ACR) is a powerful tool that helps manage and store container images and artifacts. ACR offers various features and plans to suit different needs, making it easier to handle your container-related tasks in Azure.

Azure Container Registry (ACR) Plans:

ACR comes with different pricing plans, each supporting container storage, management, and integration with Azure Active Directory (Azure AD):

• Standard Plan:

  • Provides all core features for container storage and management.

  • Offers greater storage and throughput compared to the Basic plan.

• Premium Plan:

  • In addition to enhanced storage and throughput, the Premium plan includes:

    • Geo-replication: Enables container images to be replicated across multiple Azure regions for global distribution.

    • Content Trust/Container Trust: Ensures image integrity and security.

    • VNet Security: Includes firewall integration for added security.

Automate with ACR Tasks

One key feature of ACR is ACR Tasks. This feature automates routine tasks such as:

• Patching the underlying operating system of your containers.

• Automatically triggering builds when there are updates to the source code.

This saves time and reduces the risk of human error in managing containers.

How to Use Azure Container Registry

Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how to get started with ACR:

1. Create a Registry Resource:
   The first step is creating the registry, which will serve as the container repository.

2. Choose Your Options (SKU):
   Select your preferences, such as:

   • Name (Namespace): The unique identifier for your registry.

   • IAM (Identity and Access Management): Configure admin roles or add extra identities for access control.

3. Create a Repository:
   After setting up the registry, you must create a repository within it. This is where your container images and artifacts, like Helm charts, will be stored.

Supported Artifacts in ACR

The following types of artifacts can be stored in ACR:

• Windows/Linux Containers

• OCI (Open Container Initiative) Artifacts: This includes Helm charts and other open container standards.

Additionally, ACR supports using namespaces for containers, allowing for better organization and management of container images.

Conclusion

Azure Container Registry is a versatile and robust platform for managing container images in the cloud. With different plans to meet diverse requirements, enhanced automation with ACR Tasks, and security features like container trust and VNet security, ACR is an essential tool for cloud enthusiasts. It simplifies managing and storing containers while offering scalability and security.

If you're working with containers in Azure, ACR is worth exploring to streamline your workflow and improve efficiency.