How to Turbocharge Your Kubernetes Networking With eBPF

Why eBPF Matters for Kubernetes Networking What is eBPF? Performance Improvements Through eBPF Key Performance Advantages Observability: Real-Time Insights Without Agents Key Observability Advantages Security at the Kernel Layer Key Security Advantages of eBPF: eBPF Use Cases When Not to Use eBPF: How Calico Uses eBPF Examples of Calico’s eBPF Capabilities Modern Kubernetes Needs a Modern Data Plane Explore eBPF Further with Calico When your Kubernetes cluster handles thousands of workloads, every millisecond counts. And that pressure is no longer the exception; it is the norm. According to a recent CNCF survey, 93% of organizations are using, piloting, or evaluating Kubernetes , revealing just how pervasive it has become. Kubernetes has grown from a promising orchestration tool into the backbone of modern infrastructure. As adoption climbs, so does pressure to keep performance high, networking efficient, and security airtight. However, widespread adoption brings a difficult reality. As organizations scale thousands of interconnected workloads, traditional networking and security layers begin to strain. Keeping clusters fast, observable, and protected becomes increasingly challenging. Innovation at the lowest level of the operating system—the kernel—can provide faster networking, deeper system visibility, and stronger security. But developing programs at this level is complex and risky. Teams running large Kubernetes environments need a way to extend the Linux kernel safely and efficiently, without compromising system stability. Enter eBPF (extended Berkeley Packet Filter), a powerful technology that allows small, verified programs to run safely inside the kernel.