Merge pull request #261021 from schaffererin/azureLinuxFAQ

Updated content in FAQ and intro docs

Author: prmerger-automator[bot]

articles/azure-linux/faq.md

@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
   ms.author: htaubenfeld
   ms.service: microsoft-linux
   ms.topic: faq
-  ms.date: 11/30/2023
+  ms.date: 12/12/2023
 ---
 
 # Frequently asked questions about the Azure Linux Container Host for AKS
@@ -14,6 +14,34 @@ This article answers common questions about the Azure Linux Container Host.
 
 ## General FAQs
 
+### What is Azure Linux?
+
+The Azure Linux Container Host is an operating system image that's optimized for running container workloads on [Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS)](../aks/intro-kubernetes.md). Microsoft maintains the Azure Linux Container Host and based it on Azure Linux (also known as *Mariner*), an open-source Linux distribution created by Microsoft.
+
+### What are the benefits of using Azure Linux?
+
+For more information, see the [Azure Linux Container Host key benefits](./intro-azure-linux.md#azure-linux-container-host-key-benefits).
+
+### What's the difference between Azure Linux and Mariner?
+
+Azure Linux and Mariner are the same image with different branding. Please use the Azure Linux OS SKU when referring to the image on AKS.
+
+### Are Azure Linux container images supported on AKS?
+
+The only supported container images are the Microsoft .NET and Open JDK container images based on Azure Linux. All other images are on a best effort community support basis in our [GitHub issues page](https://github.com/microsoft/CBL-Mariner/issues).
+
+### What's the pricing for Azure Linux?
+
+Azure Linux is available at no additional cost. You only pay for the underlying Azure resources, such as virtual machines (VMs) and storage.
+
+### What GPUs does Azure Linux support?
+
+Azure Linux supports the V100 and T4 GPUs.
+
+### What certifications does Azure Linux have?
+
+Azure Linux passes all CIS level 1 benchmarks and offers a FIPS image. For more information, see [Azure Linux Container Host core concepts](./concepts-core.md).
+
 ### Is the Microsoft Azure Linux source code released?
 
 Yes. Azure Linux is an open-source project with a thriving community of contributors. You can find the global Azure Linux source code at https://github.com/microsoft/CBL-Mariner.

articles/azure-linux/intro-azure-linux.md

@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ author: htaubenfeld
 ms.author: htaubenfeld
 ms.service: microsoft-linux
 ms.topic: overview
-ms.date: 09/05/2023
+ms.date: 12/12/2023
 ---
 
 # What is the Azure Linux Container Host for AKS?
@@ -21,11 +21,12 @@ To learn more about Azure Linux, see the [Azure Linux GitHub repository](https:/
 The Azure Linux Container Host offers the following key benefits:
 
 - **Small and lightweight**
-  - The Azure Linux Container Host only includes the necessary set of packages needed to run container workloads. As a result, it consumes limited disk and memory resources.
+  - The Azure Linux Container Host only includes the necessary set of packages needed to run container workloads. As a result, it consumes limited disk and memory resources and produces faster cluster operations (create, upgrade, delete, scale, node creation, and pod creation) on AKS.
   - Azure Linux has only 500 packages, and as a result takes up the least disk space by up to *5 GB* on AKS.
 - **Secure supply chain**
   - The Linux and AKS teams at Microsoft build, sign, and validate the [Azure Linux Container Host packages][azure-linux-packages] from source, and host packages and sources in Microsoft-owned and secured platforms.
-  - Each package update runs through a full set of unit tests and end-to-end testing on the existing image to prevent regressions. The extensive testing, in combination with the smaller package count, reduces the chances of disruptive updates to applications.
+  - Before we release a package, each package runs through a full set of unit tests and end-to-end testing on the existing image to prevent regressions. The extensive testing, in combination with the smaller package count, reduces the chances of disruptive updates to applications.
+  - Azure Linux has a focus on stability, often backporting fixes in core components like the kernel or openssl. It also limits substantial changes or significant version bumps to major release boundaries (for example, Azure Linux 2.0 to 3.0), which prevents customer outages.
 - **Secure by default**
   - The Azure Linux Container Host has an emphasis on security. It follows the secure-by-default principles, including using a hardened Linux kernel with Azure cloud optimizations and flags tuned for Azure. It also provides a reduced attack surface and eliminates patching and maintenance of unnecessary packages.
   - Microsoft monitors the CVE database and releases security patches monthly and critical updates within days if necessary.