Mastering Apache NiFi with Azure & AKS

Description:

This intensive 3-day hands-on training is designed for professionals seeking to master Apache NiFi in Azure environments, with a special focus on deployment in Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) and advanced integrations. Participants will start by revisiting NiFi’s core concepts before progressing to Kubernetes fundamentals, enabling them to design, deploy, and manage NiFi clusters in the cloud.

The training covers advanced topics including NiFi Registry-based flow versioning, SFTP-based file ingestion, monitoring, and integration with Azure services such as Blob Storage, Event Hubs, and Cosmos DB. Attendees will also learn best practices for scaling, securing, and migrating NiFi workloads from on-prem to Azure, supported by real-world use cases.

Through guided labs, participants will gain hands-on experience in deploying NiFi on AKS, configuring persistent storage, setting up secure data transfers, and monitoring data pipelines. By the end of the training, they will be equipped to build, manage, and optimize enterprise-grade data ingestion pipelines leveraging NiFi and Azure

Duration: 3 Days

Course Code: BDT 511

Learning Objectives:

After this training, participants will be able to:

1. Explain the architecture, design concepts, and key features of Apache NiFi.
2. Build, configure, and manage complex NiFi dataflows using processors, process groups, controller services, and templates.
3. Deploy and scale Apache NiFi clusters on Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) with persistent storage.
4. Implement version control for dataflows using NiFi Registry.
5. Plan and execute migration strategies for moving NiFi workflows from on-premises to Azure.

This course is ideal for:

1. Data engineers and ETL developers working with large-scale data integration pipelines
2. Cloud engineers responsible for deploying and managing NiFi on Azure
3. DevOps engineers managing Kubernetes and Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) environments
4. Technical architects designing cloud-based data ingestion and processing solutions

1. Basic understanding of Apache NiFi concepts and data flow development
2. Familiarity with cloud computing fundamentals, especially Azure
3. Basic knowledge of Kubernetes concepts (Pods, Services, Deployments)
4. Understanding of networking fundamentals and secure file transfers

Course Outline:

Module 1: Introduction to Apache NiFi

1. What is Apache NiFi?
2. Fundamental Design Concepts of NiFi
3. NiFi Architecture and Key Features
4. NiFi Performance Expectations and Characteristics
5. NiFi Terminology
6. Exploring the NiFi User Interface (Canvas, Connections, Queues, and Processors)

Module 2: Building a DataFlow

1. Adding Components to the NiFi Canvas
2. Configuring Processors and Process Groups
3. Using Parameters and Custom Properties with Expression Language
4. Controller Services and Reporting Tasks
5. Connecting and Validating Components
6. Site-to-Site Data Transfer

Module 3: Basics of Kubernetes and Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS)

1. Introduction to Kubernetes
2. Basics of Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS)
3. Understanding Nodes, Pods, Services, and Networking in AKS

Module 4: Installing NiFi on Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS)

1. Prerequisites for NiFi Installation on AKS
2. Step-by-Step Setup of Azure Kubernetes Cluster
3. Deploying NiFi Using Kubernetes Manifests
4. Scaling and Managing NiFi Pods
5. Persistent Storage Configuration

Hands-on Lab 1: NiFi Installation on AKS

Deploying NiFi on AKS

1. Configuring Persistent Storage and Resource Limits
2. Exploring the NiFi Canvas and DataFlow Setup

Module 5: Command and Control of the DataFlow

1. Starting, Stopping, and Terminating Components
2. Enabling/Disabling Components
3. Managing Remote Process Group

Module 6: Versioning a DataFlow with NiFi Registry

1. Connecting to NiFi Registry
2. Starting and Managing Version Control
3. Importing, Exporting, and Version States
4. Managing Local Changes and Parameters in Versioned Flows

Module 7: Processing Files Using SFTP

1. Introduction to SFTP and ProSFTP Processors
2. Configuring Secure File Transfers Using SFTP
3. Automating File Ingestion and Handling Transactions
4. Error Handling and Retry Mechanisms in SFTP

Module 8: Templates and Reusability

1. Creating, Importing, and Managing Templates
2. Instantiating Templates for Reusability
3. Best Practices for Template Management

Hands-on Lab 2: NiFi Registry and SFTP Integration

1. Setting Up NiFi Registry for Flow Versioning
2. Configuring SFTP Processors to Process Secure File Transfers
3. Managing File Ingestion, Routing, and Error Handling

Module 9: Monitoring and Data Provenance

1. Anatomy of Processors and Process Groups
2. Queue Interaction and Historical Statistics
3. Provenance Events and Data Lineage
4. Searching and Replaying FlowFiles
5. Viewing FlowFile Lineage and Provenance Details

Module 10: Integrating NiFi with Azure Services

1. Connecting NiFi to Azure Blob Storage
2. Integrating with Azure Event Hubs for Streaming
3. Using Cosmos DB and Azure Databases for Data Storage
4. Automating Workflows with Azure Data Services

Module 11: Repository Encryption and Advanced Management

1. Repository Encryption Protocol
2. Repository Encryption Configuration
3. Experimental Warning for Repository Encryption
4. Other NiFi Management Features (Backup, Cleanup, and Security Practices)

Module 12: Migration from On-Prem to Azure

1. Strategies for On-Prem to Azure Cloud Migration
2. Moving Existing NiFi Workflows to Azure
3. Addressing Challenges and Best Practices

Hands-on Lab 3: Azure Integration and Repository Management

1. Migrating NiFi Flows to Azure
2. Integrating NiFi with Azure Blob Storage
3. Monitoring and Troubleshooting NiFi Data Pipelines

Training material provided: Yes (Digital format)