Containers for ITPros - PowerShell and Dockerfile
Before we jump into the content, I wanted to take a moment to explain this blog series: As container's popularity continues to increase, I see more and more ITPros (particularly Microsoft focused ITPros) struggle to use it and even understand how some settings and configurations work for containers. This happens either because many container-focused tech was created with developers in mind or because the documentation is not exactly focused on Windows scenarios. With that in mind, I wanted to use this channel to share my learning on using Containers. Here I'll be sharing tips and tricks for Microsoft ITPros using containers, from small things to deep dives... My hope is that this helps more and more people start their journey with containers!Updates to the Windows Container Runtime support
Over the next year, Microsoft will transition support for the Mirantis Container Runtime (previously known as Docker Engine – Enterprise) to Mirantis support services. Windows Server containers will continue to function regardless of the runtime. The difference will be the coordination of associated technical support previously provided by Microsoft and Mirantis. The Mirantis Container Runtime will continue to be available from and supported by Mirantis. For more information, see Mirantis’s blog here.
Exploring the Advanced RAG (Retrieval Augmented Generation) Service
In the ever-evolving landscape of AI, LLM + RAG (Retrieval Augmented Generation) is a typical use scenario. Retrieving accurate related chunked data from complicated docs and then improving LLM response quality becomes challenge. There is no a silver bullet RAG can address all requirements so far. Developers need to verify different advanced RAG techs to find out which is a proper one for their scenarios considering accuracy, response speed, costs, etc. In order to solve this, with Azure Intelligent Document, Azure OpenAI, LlamaIndex, LangChain, Gradio..., I developed this AdvancedRAG service. This service is encapsulated in a Docker container, offers a streamlined way to experiment with different indexing techniques, evaluate their accuracy, and optimize performance for various RAG use cases. Whether you're building a quick MVP, a proof of concept, or simply exploring different indexing strategies, this service provides a versatile playground.Vulnerability Assessment on Azure Container Registry with Microsoft Defender and Docker Hub
Azure Container Registry: Microsoft Defender for Containers and Docker Scout. Rather than comparing these tools, I want to highlight how they complement each other to enhance container security on ACR. Containers revolutionize the way applications are deployed, providing a consistent and efficient way to package code and dependencies. However, with this convenience comes the critical need for robust security measures. In this post, we'll explore why container security is essential, focusing on preventing malicious code, avoiding vulnerabilities, and managing configuration and deployment risks.Deploying Flask Apps to Azure Web App via Docker Hub
Learn the technical intricacies of deploying Python-based Flask apps to Azure Web App using Docker Hub. Follow the step-by-step guide, covering Flask development, Docker containerization, and Azure infrastructure setup with Terraform. Gain insights into Azure CLI installation and Web App deployment, ensuring optimal performance. Explore continuous deployment options, allowing automatic redeployment upon Docker image updates. Master the seamless integration of technologies for a live and accessible book recommendation system, 'BookBuddy,' while optimizing for Azure's robust features.MSMQ and Windows Containers
Ever since we introduced Windows Containers in Windows Server 2016, we’ve seen customers do amazing things with it - either with new applications that leverage the latest and greatest of .Net Core and all other cloud technologies, but also with existing applications that were migrated to run on Windows Containers. MSMQ falls into this second scenario.
