Data plane

As explained in Kubernetes in Action, Second Edition

The workload plane is the collection of worker resources on which applications run in a cluster.

The data plane, also called the workload plane, is the collection of worker nodes where applications and workloads run. Unlike the control plane, it does not control the cluster; it provides the resources that execute, monitor, and connect applications. section 1.2.3 section 1.2.1

Kubernetes turns the worker nodes into one deployment area accessed through the Kubernetes API. You deploy without choosing an individual node, and Kubernetes may later move an application between nodes. Each application still must fit on one worker node. section 1.2.1

Deploying onto the workload plane

A cluster divides its machines into control plane nodes and worker nodes. An application submitted through the Kubernetes API is scheduled onto a worker node, where it runs as part of the workload plane; another worker node may host it later. section 1.2.1 section 1.2.3

Figure 1.11 The two planes that make a Kubernetes cluster

Use the cluster-plane diagram to compare the control plane with the worker-node resources that form the data plane. section 1.2.3

How Kubernetes in Action, Second Edition covers it

How deep it goes

Defines the plane, its node membership, and deployment behavior while deferring component internals to later treatment.

Examples

Uses cluster diagrams and the scenario of deploying an application without selecting its worker node.

What it assumes

Assumes basic cluster deployment knowledge while defining worker nodes, control plane, and data plane terminology.

What you can do after

Operate Kubernetes deployments as a shared worker-node resource without coupling applications to individual machines.

How it connects

Connects worker nodes, the control plane, the Kubernetes API, scheduling, and application workloads.

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Also explained in

• 

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  Acing the CCNA Exam: Volume 2 Advanced Networking and SecurityThe data plane is the part of a network system that forwards packets or frames according to programmed forwarding decisions.
• 

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  Azure SecurityThe Azure data plane is the layer through which applications and users access or manipulate the capabilities and data managed by Azure resources.
• 

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  Cloud Observability in ActionThe data plane is the set of worker resources that execute application workloads and carry operational traffic in a distributed system.

Compare how 4 books explain data plane →

Related concepts

• service meshpart of · A service mesh is an infrastructure layer that manages communication and cross-cutting concerns such as traffic control, security, and observability between distributed services.
• control planecontrasts with · A control plane is the management and coordination part of a system that governs the configuration, policies, state, and operations of its components and resources.
• Kubernetes worker nodehas part · A Kubernetes worker node is a physical or virtual machine in a cluster that provides compute resources and runs scheduled Pods and node-level services.
• resource logmeasured by · A resource log is a record generated by an Azure service that describes operations performed within a specific Azure resource.
• role-based access controluses · Role-based access control is an authorization model that assigns permissions to roles and grants users or other principals access through their assigned roles.

This explainer was generated by Manning's knowledge graph from the text of Kubernetes in Action, Second Edition. The section links point to the parts of the book it draws on.