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#0
Learn Calico - Prerequisite Skills & Environment Setup
Before you touch Calico, you need to master the basics of Kubernetes, Linux networking, and the CLI. In this episode you set up a test cluster, install Calico Open Source via the Tigera Operator, and verify the installation with calicoctl.
August 10, 2026
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#1
Learn Calico - History, Background & Why You Need Calico
This episode traces Calico's origins at Metaswitch Networks, the wire-rate routing mission without overlay, the problems it solves, and its position as one of the most widely adopted CNIs in the Kubernetes ecosystem up to v3.32.x.
August 10, 2026
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#2
Learn Calico - Core Concepts & Main Architecture
This episode dissects Calico's architecture: the role of the Tigera Operator, calico-node, Felix as the programmable dataplane, BIRD for BGP, Typha which scales communication, kube-controllers, and the pod-to-pod packet path behind the scenes.
August 10, 2026
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#3
Learn Calico - Setup & Installation
This episode provides a thorough Calico installation guide: installing the Tigera Operator via Helm and manifests, custom Installation configuration, verification with calicoctl, and a comparison of the iptables versus eBPF dataplane modes with their kernel prerequisites.
August 10, 2026
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#4
Learn Calico - IPAM & Basic Networking
This episode dissects Calico IPAM: IPPools, per-node block allocation, IPIP/VXLAN encapsulation modes versus direct routing, and how pod-to-pod connectivity, pod-to-service, and the interaction with kube-proxy work.
August 10, 2026
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#5
Learn Calico - Basic Network Policy (NetworkPolicy)
This episode dissects Calico's namespaced NetworkPolicy: selector structure, ingress and egress, ports and protocols, the default deny principle, and the order of policy evaluation using tiers.
August 10, 2026
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#6
Learn Calico - GlobalNetworkPolicy & Tiers
This episode covers GlobalNetworkPolicy and GlobalNetworkSet, the concept of policy tiers with a security, platform, and application hierarchy, and the practice of building a cluster-wide default-deny baseline and per-team policies.
August 10, 2026
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#7
Learn Calico - Basic Observability
This episode covers basic Calico observability: debugging with calicoctl, flow logs, Prometheus metrics from Felix and Typha, and techniques for inspecting the dataplane status, endpoints, and policies applied on nodes.
August 10, 2026
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#8
Learn Calico - BGP Peering & Routing
This episode dissects Calico BGP: the default node-to-node mesh, route reflectors for large clusters, BGPConfiguration, BGPPeer, peering with external routers, advertising pod CIDRs, and the MetalLB integration.
August 10, 2026
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#9
Learn Calico - Encapsulation & Overlay Options
This episode covers Calico's encapsulation modes: IPIP and VXLAN, a comparison of tunnel overhead, direct routing without overlay for on-prem and cloud-native, and changing the IPPool and FelixConfiguration to match your network needs.
August 10, 2026
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