Ecosystem overview
Cloud-native workload visibility
Keep Kubernetes and eBPF workload context. Capture what still needs proof.
Kubernetes, CNI, service-mesh, eBPF, and container observability tools expose pod, workload, identity, policy, and service context. PacketSafari complements them when a bounded packet capture is needed for deeper protocol or timing analysis.
Cilium and HubbleRetinaPixieCalico
Result outExact evidence returns to the team that can act.
Connect and secure workloads, expose service dependencies, observe flows, enforce network policy, and correlate traffic with pod and namespace identity.
Capture from the pod namespace, node, CNI or eBPF sensor, service-mesh proxy, cloud mirror, or approved virtual appliance, and document where encryption terminates.
Investigate the captured traffic while preserving the workload, node, namespace, service, sidecar, and encryption context supplied by the platform.
Representative products
Different jobs. One clean handoff.
These are representative ecosystem products, not partner badges or certification claims. Capabilities and packet access vary by edition, license, deployment, and configuration.
Vendor / productPrimary rolePacket boundaryFitPacketSafari value
CiliumCilium and Hubble
eBPF networking, network policy, and workload-aware observability
Flows, service context, and optional packet-oriented diagnostics; PCAP acquisition is workflow-specific.
ComplementaryUse Hubble context to select the pod, node, service, and interval for capture.
MicrosoftRetina
Cloud-native container networking observability
Kubernetes network telemetry and capture workflows depending on deployment.
Strong handoffBring an authorized capture from the affected cluster into PacketSafari.
New RelicPixie
eBPF-based Kubernetes observability and application telemetry
In-cluster telemetry reconstructed from eBPF data; not automatically a portable PCAP.
ComplementaryInvestigate a packet capture when protocol detail or independent evidence is still required.
TigeraCalico
Kubernetes networking, security policy, and observability
Flow logs and workload context; raw capture comes from node or workload tooling.
ComplementaryCorrelate policy and workload identity with the observed packet exchange.
IsovalentTetragon
eBPF runtime enforcement and security observability
Kernel and process events rather than general full-packet retention.
ComplementaryCombine runtime evidence with a scoped packet investigation.
IstioIstio and Envoy
Service mesh, traffic policy, telemetry, and proxying
Proxy metrics, logs, traces, and possible capture at sidecar or node boundaries.
ComplementarySeparate mesh policy, mTLS, transport, upstream, and application behavior.
LinkerdLinkerd
Service mesh, mTLS, routing, and service metrics
Proxy and service telemetry; packet visibility depends on capture point and encryption.
ComplementaryDocument the observation boundary and investigate visible protocol behavior.
Grafana LabsBeyla
eBPF application and network observability with OpenTelemetry
Metrics and traces, not a full packet system of record.
ComplementaryUse telemetry to scope the remaining question before acquiring a PCAP.
Decision guide
Use each layer for the decision it owns.
PacketSafari adds depth after a capture exists. It does not become the continuous monitor, enforcement point, access broker, packet broker, or recorder.
Do you need workload identity, policy, and continuous cluster visibility?
Use the CNI, service mesh, eBPF, and Kubernetes observability layer.
Do you need exact protocol and transport evidence?
Capture at the pod, node, proxy, or adjacent network boundary where the evidence is visible.
Is service-mesh traffic encrypted?
Choose and document an authorized pre-encryption or post-decryption observation point.