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CNI Plugins

github.com

Free plan WindowsLinux
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Spec score 7.8 #8 of 28 in Container Networking Software

What it is

CNI Plugins is a collection of reference and example network plugins for configuring connectivity in Linux and Windows containers. CNI supplies a specification and libraries, plus a command-line tool for executing plugins and a Go library for application integration. Interface options include bridge, ipvlan, loopback, macvlan, point-to-point, VLAN, host-device, and dummy; Windows-specific plugins include win-bridge and win-overlay. IP address management choices cover DHCP, host-local allocation tracking, and static IPv4 or IPv6 allocation. Meta plugins handle interface tuning, port mapping, bandwidth limits, source-based routing, and firewall rules, and a sample plugin illustrates custom plugin development. CNI focuses on connecting containers and removing allocated resources when a container is deleted. The project is distributed under Apache License 2.0 and is a Cloud Native Computing Foundation project. It is free, with a plan listed at free. Linux and Windows are supported; the latest release page lists Linux archives for amd64, arm, and arm64.

Spec sheet

Purpose
CNI Plugins is a collection of reference and example network plugins maintained by the containernetworking team.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Support
The project directs questions to the cni-dev mailing group or the #cni channel on CNCF Slack.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
License
The repository is distributed under the Apache License, Version 2.0.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Additional plugins
Meta plugins provide interface tuning, port mapping, bandwidth limiting, source-based routing, and firewall rules.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
CNI integration
The CNI project includes a Go library for integrating CNI into applications and a command-line tool for executing plugins.Read 4 Oct 2026 · cni.dev
CNI role
CNI provides a specification and libraries for configuring network interfaces in Linux and Windows containers, along with supported plugins.Read 4 Oct 2026 · cni.dev
Container networking scope
CNI focuses on container network connectivity and removing allocated resources when a container is deleted.Read 4 Oct 2026 · cni.dev
Downloads
The latest release page lists downloadable Linux plugin archives, including amd64, arm, and arm64 builds.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
IP address allocation
IPAM plugins include DHCP, host-local allocation tracking, and static IPv4 or IPv6 allocation.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Maintainer organization
CNI is a Cloud Native Computing Foundation project.Read 4 Oct 2026 · cni.dev
Networking features
Interface plugins include bridge, ipvlan, loopback, macvlan, point-to-point, VLAN, host-device, and dummy.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Sample plugin
A sample plugin provides an example for building a custom plugin.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Security reporting
The project asks that security issues be reported privately to the email addresses listed in its OWNERS file.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Windows plugins
The project includes Windows-specific win-bridge and win-overlay plugins.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com

Plans and prices

Free Free Reference and example CNI network plugins · Apache-2.0 license Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com

Every CNI Plugins plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Supports Linux and Windows containers
  • Includes multiple interface and IPAM plugins
  • Provides a Go integration library and CLI
  • Apache License 2.0; free plan listed

Limits

  • Latest downloadable archives listed are Linux builds
  • No free trial is listed

Who it suits

CNI Plugins suits developers and teams configuring container networking on Linux or Windows. Its library and example plugin may also help application developers integrating CNI or building a custom plugin.

Verdict

CNI Plugins covers container connectivity with interface, address allocation, and meta-plugin options, alongside tools for application integration. Its listed price is free, and it supports Linux and Windows.

Where Specifiction places it

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