An Ingress Controller is a Kubernetes component that manages external HTTP and HTTPS access to services running inside a cluster. It interprets Ingress resources and routes incoming traffic to the appropriate services. Also known as Kubernetes ingress controller, it centralises traffic routing, security, and load balancing.
Without an ingress controller, exposing services requires manual configuration of load balancers or node ports. Ingress controllers simplify traffic management, improve security, and provide a consistent way to expose applications to users and external systems.
The ingress controller continuously watches Kubernetes Ingress resources. When rules are defined or updated, it configures itself to route incoming requests based on hostnames, paths, and protocols. It also integrates with certificates, authentication, and traffic policies.
BuildPiper works with ingress controllers as part of Kubernetes environment and deployment management. It ensures ingress configurations are deployed consistently across environments, governed through approvals, and observable alongside application and release metrics.
Ingress is a Kubernetes resource that defines routing rules, while the ingress controller is the actual component that enforces those rules by handling traffic.
Yes. Kubernetes does not process Ingress resources by default. An ingress controller is required to route external traffic to services.
BuildPiper integrates ingress configurations into CI/CD and environment workflows, enabling standardised, governed, and observable traffic management across Kubernetes clusters.