An In-Depth Look at Istio Ambient Mode with Calico
The Next Step Toward a Unified Kubernetes Platform: Istio Ambient Mode
Organizations are struggling with rising operational complexity, fragmented tools, and inconsistent security enforcement as Kubernetes becomes the foundation for modern application platforms. As a result of this complexity and fragmentation, platform teams are increasingly burdened by the need to stitch together separate solutions for networking, network security, and observability. This fragmentation also creates higher operating costs, security gaps, inefficient troubleshooting, and an elevated risk of outages in mission-critical environments. The challenge is even greater for companies running multiple Kubernetes distributions, as relying on each platform’s unique and often incompatible networking stack can lead to significant vendor lock-in and operational overhead.
The Tigera Unified Strategy: Addressing Fragmentation
Tigera’s unified platform strategy is designed to address these challenges by providing a single solution that brings together all the essential Kubernetes networking and security capabilities enterprises need, that includes Istio Ambient Mode, delivered consistently across every Kubernetes distribution.

Istio Ambient Mode brings sidecarless service-mesh functionality that includes authentication, authorization, encryption, L4/L7 traffic controls, and deep application-level (L7) observability directly into the unified Calico platform. By including Istio Ambient Mode with Calico and making it easy to install and manage with the Tigera Continue reading