Kubernetes Networking: AWS CNI vs Azure CNI vs Google Cloud CNI
Kubernetes is undoubtedly one of the most popular container orchestration tools in the market today. It comes with various features that make it a must-have for many companies who have to manage large-scale containerized applications. One of these features is the ability to manage container networking. Kubernetes provides Container Network Interface (CNI) plugins that allow easy integration of container networking tools.
When running Kubernetes workloads on the cloud, choosing a CNI plugin can significantly affect cloud bill costs. In this article, we will take a closer look at the costs associated with AWS CNI, Azure CNI, and Google Cloud CNI.
AWS CNI
The Amazon Web Services (AWS) CNI plugin is a popular choice for many Kubernetes users. AWS CNI is installed and maintained by default on Amazon Elastic Kubernetes Service (EKS). The networking solution provides high performance, low latency, and scalability for Kubernetes applications. AWS CNI uses Elastic Network Interfaces (ENIs) to attach container instances' IP addresses directly to the network, which is fast and efficient.
AWS CNI does not require any additional charges for multi-homed VPC configurations, and it supports services like network policies to enhance security. However, AWS CNI does incur additional costs for extra ENIs, which can add up quickly in large deployments.
Azure CNI
Microsoft's Azure CNI plugin is another popular choice for Kubernetes networking. It is installed and enabled by default in Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS). Azure CNI uses Azure virtual networks to create a layer of virtualized networking over existing networks.
Azure CNI provides seamless integration with Azure security services like Azure Firewall and Azure Network Security Group. It is also optimized for hybrid networking scenarios like Azure Stack.
Azure CNI does not have an explicit ENI limit, but it can incur additional charges if you use more IP addresses and subnets.
Google Cloud CNI
Google Cloud CNI plugin is a fully managed solution, which means it is easy to set up and does not require any manual configuration. It is installed and maintained by default on Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE), which is Google's managed Kubernetes service.
Google Cloud CNI uses Google Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) networks to provide secure and scalable networking for Kubernetes. It provides advanced features like network policies, resource sharing, and secure hybrid networking.
Google Cloud CNI does not incur any additional costs for multi-homed VPC configurations, and it is scalable by design.
Conclusion
Choosing a CNI plugin for Kubernetes networking depends on your specific needs, priorities, and budget. AWS CNI, Azure CNI, and Google Cloud CNI all provide excellent networking solutions, but they come with different costs and features.
AWS CNI provides excellent performance and security, but ENI costs can add up quickly in large scale deployments. Azure CNI is optimized for hybrid networking scenarios and provides seamless integration with Azure security services. Google Cloud CNI is a fully managed solution that requires no special configuration and provides advanced features like resource sharing and secure hybrid networking.
When making a decision, read the documentation and consider trial runs to determine the optimal Kubernetes networking solution for your use case.