At the much-anticipated KubeCon + CloudNativeCon 2024, Solo.io made a significant announcement that marked a new chapter for the company and the wider cloud-native community. The company revealed its decision to donate its advanced API Gateway to the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF). This move underscores Solo.io’s commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration within the community. By contributing the Gloo API Gateway, which is designed to operate seamlessly within Kubernetes clusters, Solo.io aims to help IT teams better manage ingress access, enhancing the performance and security of their Kubernetes environments.
Simplified Service Mesh Deployment
Gloo Mesh and Ambient Mesh
Solo.io didn’t stop at the donation of the API Gateway. In a bid to simplify Kubernetes connectivity and service mesh management, the company has made Gloo Mesh, based on the streamlined Ambient implementation of the Istio service mesh, generally available. This latest version of Gloo Mesh represents a significant advancement as it eliminates the necessity for container sidecars, thereby streamlining deployment for IT teams. The container sidecar architecture, while effective, often added layers of complexity and proved resource-intensive, which Ambient Mesh seeks to mitigate.
The introduction of Ambient Mesh is particularly noteworthy because it addresses previous criticisms of Istio mesh’s complexity in managing east-west traffic. The Ambient edition stands out for employing a proxy created by Istio maintainers, in collaboration with Google, as opposed to the earlier reliance on open-source Envoy proxy software. To further drive adoption and provide support, Solo.io has launched Ambientmesh.io. This platform offers enterprise-ready code and comprehensive support for Ambient Mesh in Gloo Mesh, making it easier for enterprises to transition and implement this new architecture.
Adoption and Market Impact
While the transition to Ambient over the sidecar-reliant Istio version remains uncertain, the potential for widespread adoption is significant. The simplification that Ambient Mesh offers is poised to attract IT teams, especially those that lack the intricate expertise required to manage sidecars. The broader service mesh market is already diverse, with numerous options available, but the importance of a mesh typically emerges when managing a critical mass of APIs requiring internal network communication within a cluster. As the deployment of cloud-native applications continues to rise in production environments, the demand for service meshes to manage API-driven network traffic has escalated.
Techstrong Research’s recent survey highlights this trend, revealing that over half of the participating organizations have already implemented cloud-native applications, with 22% actively considering it. Despite the growing adoption, there remains some ambiguity about whether networking or DevOps teams predominantly manage service meshes. This divide has led some organizations to embrace platform engineering in an attempt to centralize IT operations and mitigate control issues. Regardless of the management approach, the essential role of a service mesh in effectively deploying modern microservices-based applications is becoming increasingly apparent.
Enhancements in AI and Security
Gloo AI Gateway
Solo.io has also introduced significant updates to its Gloo AI Gateway, initially launched in July, adding security guardrails for accessing large language models. This latest enhancement leverages a specially trained small language model designed to bolster security. The integration of these guardrails aims to mitigate risks associated with the use of large language models, ensuring secure and controlled access. This development reflects Solo.io’s focus on marrying advanced technology with robust security measures, catering to the evolving needs of modern IT environments.
Idit Levine, the CEO of Solo.io, emphasized that these advancements represent a considerable leap forward in addressing the challenges previously associated with service mesh complexity. By focusing on both ease of use and security, Solo.io is paving the way for more accessible and efficient solutions in the cloud-native space. The company’s efforts to simplify deployment and management processes are likely to resonate well with IT teams striving for improved operational efficiency without compromising on security.
Future Prospects
At the highly anticipated KubeCon + CloudNativeCon 2024, Solo.io made a groundbreaking announcement that signifies a major milestone for both the company and the broader cloud-native community. Solo.io disclosed its intention to donate its state-of-the-art Gloo API Gateway to the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF). This strategic decision highlights Solo.io’s dedication to driving innovation and fostering collaboration within the cloud-native sphere. The contribution of the Gloo API Gateway, meticulously designed for seamless operation within Kubernetes clusters, aims to empower IT teams in managing ingress access more effectively. This enhancement promises to boost both the performance and security of Kubernetes environments. By making this donation, Solo.io not only reaffirms its role as a key player in the community but also sets a precedent for other companies to follow. The move is expected to catalyze further advancements and cooperation within the ecosystem, benefiting all stakeholders involved.
