Amazon EKS simplifies installation and management for Kubernetes cluster add-ons

Amazon Elastic Kubernetes Service (Amazon EKS) now allows you to install and manage Kubernetes operational software (add-ons) as part of the Amazon EKS console, CLI, and API. Today, EKS supports managing the Amazon VPC CNI networking plugin, with more add-ons coming soon.

Every Amazon EKS cluster is automatically enabled with operational software that provides core networking functionality for Kubernetes applications. Additionally, many Kubernetes users install additional operational software for observability, scaling, networking, and security.

Previously, you needed to install and maintain this software, including tracking available versions and installing updates after upgrading a cluster’s Kubernetes version.

Now, Amazon EKS lets you install, manage, and update common operational software for your cluster directly through the EKS console, CLI, and API. All operational software is validated by AWS and can be deployed and updated during cluster setup or at any time. You can see available add-ons and compatible versions in the EKS API, select the version of the add-on you want to run on your cluster, and configure key settings such as the IAM role used by the add-on when it runs. Using EKS add-ons you can go from cluster creation to running applications in a single command and keep your cluster up to date using the AWS console, CLI, or API.

Today, EKS supports managing the installation and version of theAmazon VPC CNI networking plugin on clusters running Kubernetes version 1.18 and above, with support for more add-ons coming soon.

To learn more, read our blog or visit the Amazon EKS documentation.