Microsoft released a preview version of its Azure Arc enabled Kubernetes system that allows users to manage Kubernetes clusters across different infrastructure environments. It also builds on its still gestating Azure Arc platform announced late last year.

The preview was announced at this week’s Microsoft Build 2020 conference. The Kubernetes aspect allows users to attach and configure Kubernetes clusters inside or outside of Azure. This includes data centers, edge locations, or across different clouds.

Jeremy Winter, partner director for Azure Management, noted in a blog post that the platform supports most Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF)-certified Kubernetes distributions. Those specifically cited include Red Hat OpenShift, Canonical Kubernetes, and Rancher Labs.

Microsoft explained that the platform provides a level of control that can help in the management of inventory, grouping, and tagging of clusters; allows for the use of GitOps-based configuration management; provides that single pane of glass for monitoring; and a unified policy approach across the different cluster environments.

Winter also noted that Microsoft plans to next roll out preview versions of Azure data services to the Arc platform.

Microsoft unveiled the Azure Arc platform at its Ignite physical event last fall. From a high level it extends the Azure control plane across rival cloud provider and on-premises locations. That cross-cloud management includes data and services running in virtual machines (VMs), containers, or Kubernetes, and also allows enterprises to enforce a single security posture across those data sources or applications.

Microsoft last month extended Arc to Red Hat’s Kubernetes-focused OpenShift and Enterprise Linux (RHEL) environments to simplify the management of applications running across those platforms.

Scott Guthrie, EVP for Microsoft’s Cloud and AI Group, explained during a keynote address at this year’s Red Hat Summit 2020 Virtual Experience that the move answered customer demand for a simplified way of managing their Microsoft Azure and Red Hat deployments.

“Our customers have said they want to use a single pane of glass and take advantage of cloud-era scale economies and scale services that we provide in Azure across their environments,” Guthrie said. “You can now use a single pane of glass to manage your VMs, manage your Kubernetes clusters, manage your databases and stand those up and apply policy and security, inventory tagging and searching at scale fully integrated into Red Hat capabilities and Azure.

The platform is also Microsoft’s entry into the increasingly competitive hybrid-cloud management space. Hyperscale rivals Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Google both offer a similar platform in their Outposts and Anthos offerings, respectively.

AWS launched general availability of Outposts late last year, which followed its initial unveiling in late 2018. Google formally launched Anthos last year, and earlier this year expanded the reach of the management layer to AWS with expansion plans into Azure set for later this year.