Cello CNI
Cello CNI: A focused, free CNI plugin for Pod networking in Volcengine VPC environments. Ranked #25 of 27 in Container Networking Software by our editors (6.4/10); pricing: Free plan; best for volcengine VPC Pod networking.
At a glance
- Editor score6.4 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forVolcengine VPC Pod networking
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Network policiesYes
- Facts checked20 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Free and open source for Kubernetes networking
- Supports shared-ENI and exclusive-ENI modes
- Adds Cilium service handling and NetworkPolicy support
Where it doesn't
- Focused on Volcengine ECS and VPC environments
- Designed for Linux and self-hosted deployments
- Requires Kubernetes and Helm-based installation
Our verdict on Cello CNI
Cello CNI is an open-source Kubernetes container network interface plugin for Volcengine VPC environments. It is intended for teams running Kubernetes on Volcengine ECS-backed nodes that need Pod networking through secondary elastic network interfaces. The plugin supports shared-ENI and exclusive-ENI modes, along with Pod-to-Pod and Pod-to-Node communication. Its strongest fit is Volcengine-focused infrastructure rather than a general-purpose networking layer across varied cloud environments.
The networking model is the main reason to consider Cello CNI. It handles secondary ENI allocation and recycling, giving Pods access to Volcengine VPC networking. Cilium integration adds Kubernetes service handling and NetworkPolicy support, while the supported environment includes Kubernetes, Volcengine ECS, veLinux 1.0 and Linux. This combination gives platform teams a focused way to connect Kubernetes workloads with Volcengine networking while retaining policy capabilities through Cilium. Helm-based installation and DaemonSet deployment align with a cluster-managed operating model.
Cello CNI is a practical choice when Volcengine VPC compatibility is the priority and a free, open-source plugin meets the deployment requirements. It is less suitable for teams seeking broad multi-cloud coverage, managed onboarding or a platform that abstracts away self-hosted Linux and Kubernetes operations. Buyers should also evaluate whether shared-ENI or exclusive-ENI behavior matches their Pod networking design. Choose Cello CNI for specialized Volcengine ECS and VPC deployments; choose an alternative when the environment extends beyond its documented platform focus or requires a broader integration ecosystem.
Your product? Our editors can test Cello CNI in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
Cello CNI pricing
Cello CNI fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| CNI plugin | Yes |
| Network policies | Yes |
| Egress control | Not verified |
| Multi-cluster networking | Not verified |
| Encryption in transit | Not verified |
| Supported platforms | Kubernetes, Volcengine ECS, veLinux 1.0, Linux |
| Deployment | Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Linux |
| Support | Email, Community, Docs |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 2 integrations: Cilium, Volcengine VPC |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | github.com |
| Facts checked | 20 Sep 2026 |
Cello CNI integrations
Cello CNI lists 2 integrations on its own site.
- Cilium
- Volcengine VPC
Alternatives to Cello CNI
- CiliumA broad open-source networking and observability layer for Kubernetes environments.9.4
- Calico Open SourceA free, broad Kubernetes networking stack with policy, encryption, and multi-cluster support.9.2
- AntreaA strong open-source choice for advanced Kubernetes networking, policy, and visibility.9.0
See all Cello CNI alternatives →
Used Cello CNI? Be the first to review it
The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used Cello CNI for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.
Write a reviewTwo minutes · verified accounts only · read by an editor before it appears
Featured on iTechGuides
Cello CNI is listed in our Container Networking Software directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.
<a href="https://www.itechguides.com/products/cello-cni/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/cello-cni.svg" alt="Featured on iTechGuides" width="230" height="46"></a>
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
Last updated · How we research and update