Course Description
Modern cloud-native environments demand a new approach to networking, security, and operations. As Kubernetes adoption continues to accelerate, engineers must understand how to design, deploy, secure, and operate dynamic application platforms that go far beyond traditional networking models — a shift where Cisco, through the Isovalent-built Cilium platform, now sits at the center.
ISOVALENT-ELITE is an official Cisco course, developed exclusively by Firefly, delivering comprehensive instructor-led training on the complete lifecycle of enterprise Cilium deployments — built on the eBPF-powered networking, security, and observability platform created by Isovalent, now part of Cisco. Across nine in-depth modules and extensive hands-on labs, students progress from Kubernetes networking fundamentals to advanced Cilium architecture, installation and deployment strategy, identity-based policy enforcement, service exposure and egress control, encryption and performance tuning, Hubble-driven observability, ClusterMesh multi-cluster networking, and Tetragon-powered runtime security operations.
Designed around real-world enterprise scenarios, Isovaltent-Elite focuses on the practical deployment strategies, operational best practices, and troubleshooting techniques that Cisco and Isovalent field teams rely on to confidently deploy and manage Cilium-powered Kubernetes environments across on-premises, hybrid, and multi-cloud infrastructures.
Pre-requisites:
Basic knowledge of Linux, Kubernetes, and container networking is recommended. Prior experience with Cilium is not required.
Course Information
Length: 5 day
Format: Lecture and Lab
Delivery Method: n/a
Max. Capacity: 16
Schedule
Contact Us
Do you have more questions? We're delighted to assist you!
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Understand cloud-native networking principles and Kubernetes networking architecture.
- Explain how eBPF enables high-performance networking, security, and observability within Kubernetes.
- Design and deploy Cilium as the primary networking platform for Kubernetes clusters.
- Select appropriate deployment models, routing strategies, and IP Address Management (IPAM) options.
- Implement identity-based security using Cilium Network Policies.
- Configure secure service exposure using Gateway API, LoadBalancer Services, and egress controls.
- Deploy and manage advanced networking features including routing, encryption, and high-performance datapaths.
- Design and operate multi-cluster Kubernetes environments using Cilium Cluster Mesh.
- Monitor, troubleshoot, and optimize Kubernetes networking using Hubble observability tools.
- Apply enterprise best practices for deployment, upgrades, validation, and day-to-day operations.
