Open source · Built on Virtual Kubelet

Bring Kubernetes
to Cisco Network Devices

A Virtual Kubelet provider for app-hosted workloads, declarative configuration and opt-in topology-aware IOS-XE application deployment. Use native Kubernetes placement, scheduling, observability and security constructs.

Get startedSee how it works
IOS-XE app hostingNX-OS · BetaExplore on GitHub

The foundations

Start with app hosting. Explore from there.

Deploy your first workload, then explore supported configuration and diagnostic workflows when you need them.

01 / App hosting

Put applications closer to the network.

Deploy containers to supported Cisco devices using the Kubernetes workflow you already know.

  • Describe your workload as a Pod.
  • Let Virtual Kubelet manage its lifecycle on the device.
Explore app hosting

The workflow at a glance

  1. Describe

    Kubernetes Pod

  2. Reconcile

    Virtual Kubelet

  3. Run

    Device app hosting

A Cisco device appears as a virtual node. Your application runs on the device.

For devices with supported app-hosting capabilities.

Platform support & feature status

From Kubernetes to a supported device

How it works

Declare your devices and applications in Kubernetes. Cisco Virtual Kubelet connects each virtual node to the device that runs its apps.

App hosting
Kubernetes holds the desired state. The manager creates one worker per device; each worker watches assigned Pods and manages app hosting. IOS-XE devices use RESTCONF. Nexus NX-OS uses NX-API CLI, and its app-hosting support is Beta.
Understand the componentsWorkload placement

Your first deployment

Start with one device.

A guided path from your Kubernetes cluster to an application running on your device.

  1. 01Install

    Add Cisco Virtual Kubelet to your Kubernetes cluster.

  2. 02Connect

    Register a supported device and its credentials.

  3. 03Deploy

    Run your first application and check its status.

Follow the setup guideBrowse documentation