CNI stands for [[Container Networking Interface]] or some times: [[Cloud Native Infrastructure]]. In the context of cloud computing, CNI refers to a specification and set of APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) that allow container orchestration platforms, such as Kubernetes, to configure networking for containers. CNI is responsible for enabling communication between containers within a cluster and with external resources. It handles tasks such as assigning IP addresses to containers, managing routing tables, and setting up network policies. CNI plugins are used to implement the networking functionality required by container runtimes. The interpretation of CNI in the cloud computing arena includes: 1. Networking between containers: CNI enables containers running on different hosts within a cluster to communicate with each other securely and efficiently. It provides mechanisms for overlay networks, which encapsulate container traffic within virtual networks. 2. Integration with orchestration platforms: CNI integrates with popular container orchestration platforms like Kubernetes, allowing them to manage container networking seamlessly. It ensures that containers have the necessary network connectivity based on defined policies. 3. Network isolation and security: CNI supports network isolation by allowing containers to be grouped into separate network namespaces. This helps in preventing unauthorized access between containers and enhances overall security in multi-tenant environments. 4. Scalability and load balancing: CNI facilitates load balancing by distributing incoming traffic across multiple instances of a containerized application. It ensures that traffic is evenly distributed and optimizes resource utilization. 5. Plugin ecosystem: CNI has a diverse ecosystem of plugins developed by various vendors, each offering different networking capabilities and features. This allows users to choose the best-suited plugin for their specific requirements or integrate with existing networking infrastructure. Overall, CNI plays a crucial role in enabling efficient networking for containers in cloud computing environments, providing seamless communication between containers while ensuring security, scalability, and integration with container orchestration platforms. # References ```dataview Table title as Title, authors as Authors where contains(subject, "CNI") ```