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eBPF: High-Performance Networking

Key Takeaways for AI & Readers
  • Technology: Sandboxed programs running directly in the Linux Kernel.
  • Benefit: Replaces slow iptables sequential scanning with O(1) performance.
  • Use Cases: Advanced networking (Cilium), deep observability, and runtime security.
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Network Card
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Pod
iptables must scan a list of rules sequentially. As the cluster grows, latency increases linearly (O(n)).

eBPF allows us to run small, sandboxed programs directly inside the Linux kernel. Instead of scanning a list, the kernel runs a program that "knows" exactly where the packet should go without ever leaving the kernel space.

2. Benefits of eBPF (Cilium)​

Tools like Cilium use eBPF to provide:

  • Massive Scalability: Performance stays high whether you have 10 services or 10,000.
  • Deep Observability: Because the code runs in the kernel, it can see every system call and network packet with zero overhead (Hubble).
  • Identity-Based Security: Instead of IP addresses (which change), eBPF can enforce security based on Kubernetes Service identities.
  • Service Mesh without Sidecars: eBPF can handle mTLS and L7 routing without needing an Envoy sidecar in every pod, saving 20-30% in CPU/RAM costs.

3. When to use it?​

If you are running at scale, or if you need deep network observability without the complexity of a Service Mesh, Cilium with eBPF is the industry-standard choice.

💬 Feedback & Comments

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