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CKS Clusters

Managed Kubernetes without a hypervisor

CoreWeave Kubernetes Service provides high-performance computing and a flexible Kubernetes experience. CoreWeave maintains, scales, and updates Kubernetes clusters that run directly on Nodes hosted in our regions. We avoid costly overhead and latency by eliminating most of the virtualized intermediary stage between cluster and customer.

CKS clusters grant organizations and users privileged access to Kubernetes resources. Customers run workloads on their own dedicated hardware. These servers operate independently of other customer operations and connected via isolated Virtual Private Clouds (VPCs). Host permissions to Nodes are also securely managed within VPCs, allowing customers to avoid needing to manage the underlying infrastructure.

CoreWeave Kubernetes Service leverages clusters to provide efficient, scalable, secure Kubernetes workload orchestration.Our containers access our server hardware directly, making CKS ideal for model training and VFX rendering. Our architecture and components are purpose-built to offer maximum efficiency, minimal latency, and unprecedented customization.

CKS Clusters

CKS Clusters are deployed via the Cloud Console. See: How to: Create a Cluster.

Info

Clusters will also be deployable via the forthcoming CoreWeave API, accessible via SDK or Terraform provider.

Cluster architecture

CKS clusters are created by leveraging two planes:

  1. the Managed Data Plane, and
  2. the Managed Control Plane.

Each plane has distinct components responsible for different functionalities within the cluster.

The Managed Control Plane is a CoreWeave-managed plane that provides a managed Kubernetes environment that is secure, stable, and optimized for high-performance computing tasks, built from the ground up to leverage high-performance computing (HPC) hardware. It is designed to provide ideal service for compute-intensive applications. The Managed Control Plane includes components that manage the overall state and lifecycle of CKS clusters. These components handle cluster orchestration, scheduling, and control functionality.

The Managed Data Plane is comprised of components responsible for handling the data traffic and operations within the Kubernetes cluster. These components ensure that the workloads are managed efficiently and securely, and can be customized by clients for flexibility.

Learn more

Learn more about the specific components within the Managed Control Plane and Managed Data Plane, and how they support CKS cluster performance.

Advantages

CKS clusters feature...

  • Exceptional security. CKS clusters exist in their own VPCs, created by on-site networking. There's built-in isolation from start to finish. Each server is equipped with a DPU (Data Processing Unit) that aids in VPC orchestration, further enhancing security and performance.
  • Ideal for compute intensive workloads. Our clusters provide reserved Node Pools, ideal for running large jobs with static Node requirements, such as model training. Nodes are available when and where they're needed.
  • Deep visibility into systems. CoreWeave Kubernetes Service allows clients to run their own metrics exporters, gather detailed logs, and leverage low-level access for a high degree of insight into system health.
  • Highly observable infrastructure. CKS oversees all aspects of your compute infrastructure, taking care of the heavy lifting while still allowing you to manage and observe resources at the control plane level.