Kubernetes networking is the system that allows pods, services, nodes, and external resources to communicate inside a Kubernetes cluster. It provides a flat network structure that gives each pod its own IP address and allows traffic to move across worker nodes without network address translation. This simple networking model supports cloud native applications, microservices, and distributed systems that require reliable network communication. Networking in Kubernetes is built on the Container Network Interface, also known as CNI, which configures pod networking and ensures correct routing and connectivity.

Isovalent

Kubernetes networking enables communication between pods, services, nodes, and external resources through a flat network structure where each pod receives its own IP address. The Container Network Interface (CNI) manages pod networking, IP assignment, and routing without requiring network address translation for internal traffic. Core principles include unique pod IPs, direct pod-to-pod communication across nodes, shared network namespaces within pods, and Services that provide stable virtual IPs for load balancing. Network Policies control traffic flow between pods for security. CNI plugins like Cilium use eBPF for high-performance routing and enhanced observability, replacing traditional iptables-based approaches.

What Is Kubernetes Networking?

Core Principles of the Kubernetes Networking Model

Key Functions and Benefits of Kubernetes Networking

How Isovalent Simplifies Kubernetes Networking