VXLAN provides a network overlay for Kubernetes nodes. It encapsulates Layer 2 connections inside Layer 3 packets, adding headers so traffic can route between nodes and reach pods across the existing physical network. section 6.5
Kubernetes commonly delivers this overlay through a Container Network Interface (CNI) plugin. The CNI runs as a DaemonSet, creates a virtual interface in each node’s root namespace, and intermediates packet flow into and out of the node. section 6.5
For cluster administration and CKA preparation:
- Choose an appropriate CNI plugin; Flannel and Calico are the highlighted exam options, while Kind uses Kindnet. section 6.5
- Inspect installed networking components with kubectl get ds -n kube-system and verify node and pod readiness afterward. section 6.5
Figure 6.14 Encapsulated packet moving from node to node via CNI
Trace how CNI encapsulation carries a packet from one node to another and routes it toward the destination pod. section 6.5
