In this session, we will explore how networking truly works in Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS), from the CNI network model with its two approaches (pod subnet and overlay) to the application of security policies with Cilium, and how the new Ingress model based on Gateway API redefines how traffic enters the cluster.

We will look at how AKS adopts modern technologies such as Cilium and its eBPF-powered datapath for networking and Network Policies, how ECNS provides layer‑7 filtering capabilities to strengthen traffic security, and how the new Gateway API standard—together with Istio and its Ambient Mesh model—transforms Ingress and north‑south traffic in Kubernetes.

A complete, practical, and up‑to‑date view of the AKS networking stack that you need to master in order to build secure, observable, and future‑ready platforms.