In Azure Kubernetes, what is the entire platform that includes the master and all nodes for managing containers called?

In Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS), the term used to describe the entire platform that encompasses both the master components and all the worker nodes responsible for managing containers is referred to as a cluster. A cluster serves as the fundamental unit of the Kubernetes architecture, allowing for the orchestration of applications that run in containers.

Within this cluster, the master nodes manage the cluster's workload and orchestrate the deployment, scaling, and operation of the containerized applications across the worker nodes. Each worker node hosts pods, which are the basic deployable units in Kubernetes, encapsulating one or more containers. It is this collective structure that enables the orchestration and automation of container management, making the cluster a critical component of any Kubernetes deployment in Azure.

Other terms like environment, workspace, and platform service do not accurately capture the comprehensive structure and functionality that a cluster provides within the context of Kubernetes. They may refer to broader or different concepts in cloud architectures but do not specifically denote the entire Kubernetes structure that includes both master and worker nodes.