AKHQ for Apache Kafka on Ubuntu 24.04 by cloudimg

AKHQ is a fast, open source web GUI for managing and observing Apache Kafka. This cloudimg image bundles AKHQ 0.27.1 together with a ready to use single node Apache Kafka 4.3 broker in KRaft mode, so it is a complete, self contained Kafka workbench that is useful the moment the instance boots. It is purpose built for Microsoft Azure, hardened, security patched, and validated before publication, and backed by 24/7 expert support.

AKHQ runs as a Micronaut service behind an nginx reverse proxy on port 80, with authentication enabled by default. There is no shipped default login: a per VM administrator password is generated on the first boot of every instance and stored in a root only file, so no known or blank credential authenticates. The bundled Kafka broker binds to loopback only and is never exposed to the network, so only ports 22 and 80 need to be opened.

From the browser you can inspect nodes and their configuration, browse topics and partitions, read and search live messages, and monitor consumer groups and their lag. Demo topics, sample messages and a consumer group are seeded on first boot so the console shows real data straight away. The base is Ubuntu 24.04 LTS with the latest security patches and unattended security upgrades enabled.

Apache Kafka is a registered trademark of the Apache Software Foundation. AKHQ is an open source project. This image is a repackaged upstream distribution provided by cloudimg; additional charges apply for build, maintenance, and 24/7 support at support@cloudimg.co.uk.