Azure CNI review
A free, open-source CNI for flexible AKS networking and policy control.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Azure CNI is Microsoft's container networking interface for workloads running in Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS). It is designed for Kubernetes operators who need Azure virtual network integration, scalable pod networking, or direct connectivity between pods and connected networks. The product supports Linux and Windows environments, API access, and several networking models, including Azure CNI Overlay, Azure CNI Pod Subnet, and Azure CNI Node Subnet.
Azure CNI itself has no separate published price, and the product is free and open source. AKS cluster management is free, while the underlying Azure resources are billed. The ecosystem fit is centered on Azure: integrations include AKS, Azure CLI, Azure PowerShell, Azure Monitor, Azure Managed Grafana, Cilium, and Calico. Depending on the selected data plane, clusters can use Azure CNI Powered by Cilium, Azure iptables, or a customer-provided CNI, giving operators options within the AKS networking model.
Its feature set covers both address management and traffic control. Overlay networking uses separate pod CIDR ranges, while Pod Subnet networking supports dynamic IP allocation or static block allocation. Direct virtual network connectivity is available for pods, alongside dual-stack IPv4/IPv6 networking, configurable egress traffic controls, encryption in transit, and network policy enforcement through Cilium or Kubernetes NetworkPolicy. Encryption features and cross-cluster capabilities may require Azure CNI Powered by Cilium and/or Advanced Container Networking Services. Choose Azure CNI when AKS and Azure networking are central requirements; teams seeking a networking tool independent of that ecosystem should look elsewhere.
Azure CNI pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Free and open source with multiple Azure networking models
- Supports Cilium and Kubernetes NetworkPolicy enforcement
- Offers overlay, pod-subnet, dual-stack and egress controls
- Where it doesn't
- Focused on Azure Kubernetes Service and Azure networking
- Underlying Azure resources are billed separately
- Some encryption features require additional networking services
Azure CNI fact sheet, pricing and score →
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