Session: 2 for 1: Why Open Infrastructure matters / The Open Source Ecosystem for eBPF in Kubernetes
Thierry Carrez: Why Open Infrastructure matters
Open Infrastructure software is openly-developed open source software that can be used to provide infrastructure. Why does having open source solutions in that space actually matter, in 2024 more than ever?
In this short talk , we’ll consider historical reasons, like allowing anyone, anywhere to do anything, and the necessity to build those solutions in an open collaboration, as a commons. But we’ll also dive into more timely trends, such as the rise of digital sovereignty, the relicensing of single-vendor open source towards restrictive licenses, or how AI drives new requirements.
Andre Fredette, Ph.D. & Billy McFall: The Open Source Ecosystem for eBPF in Kubernetes
Kubernetes has become the de facto open source solution for orchestrating containerized applications. However, as the complexity and scale of deployments grow, traditional tools often fall short of providing the granularity and efficiency required by advanced applications. To meet the demand, applications are increasingly leveraging eBPF (extended Berkeley Packet Filters) due to the revolutionary kernel capabilities it enables.
This talk will explore the integration of the eBPF ecosystem with Kubernetes, highlighting its potential to transform how operators and developers observe, secure, and troubleshoot their deployments. We will start by introducing eBPF and its core concepts, including its architecture, programming model, and key benefits such as minimal overhead, improved visibility, and dynamic tracing capabilities. We will then review real-world examples of open source tools which leverage eBPF for networking, security, and observability in Kubernetes environments. We will also explore an open source project called bpfman (https://bpfman.io), an eBPF Manager focusing on simplifying the deployment, administration and visibility of eBPF programs in Kubernetes clusters.
This presentation is designed for Kubernetes operators, security professionals, and developers seeking to deepen their understanding of eBPF and its applications in cloud-native environments. No prior knowledge of eBPF is required, but familiarity with Kubernetes concepts and architecture will be beneficial.
