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Coredge Kubernetes Platform (CKP)

Product Architecture, Distribution, Compatibility & Lifecycle

Version 2.0 | April 2026

Executive Summary​

CKP (Coredge Kubernetes Platform) is a custom Kubernetes distribution built and maintained by Coredge.io. It takes the upstream Kubernetes source code and produces enterprise-grade, digitally signed binaries and container images, providing organizations with a fully supported, supply-chain-verified Kubernetes platform.

The platform operates across two layers: the CKP Distribution Layer, which delivers custom-built Kubernetes packages (kubeadm, kubelet, kubectl) and Coredge-hosted core component images; and the CKP Management Layer, which handles cluster lifecycle management through CAPI (Cluster API) with Managed Control Plane.

CKP currently supports Kubernetes versions v1.33.7 through v1.35.1, all CNCF Certified, running on Ubuntu 22.04, Ubuntu 24.04, and Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9. It uses Orbiter Baremetal (BMS) for physical server provisioning with AMD64 architecture support.

Key platform capabilities include PGP-signed package distribution via BYOH (Bring Your Own Host) bundles, automated cluster provisioning through the Compass UI and API, Ceph-backed persistent storage (ckp-block storage class), Velero backup and disaster recovery, and TLS certificate management with 10-year validity. The platform integrates Cluster API v1.7.7, BYOH Infrastructure Provider v0.6.1, Managed Control Plane, and Cert-Manager v1.15.3 to deliver a complete, enterprise-ready Kubernetes lifecycle management solution.

What is CKP​

CKP (Coredge Kubernetes Platform), also known as Coredge Kubernetes Platform, is a custom Kubernetes distribution built on top of the upstream Kubernetes repository. CKP versions are maintained in line with community releases, with the advantage of Enterprise support. All supported CKP Kubernetes versions are CNCF Certified, ensuring conformance with the official Kubernetes specification.

CKP is not just a management plane — it is a full-stack offering that spans two layers:

  • CKP Distribution Layer — Custom-built Kubernetes binaries (kubeadm, kubelet, kubectl) tagged and signed by Coredge, with Coredge-hosted core component container images. This is the "CKP distro."

  • CKP Management Layer — Cluster lifecycle management via CAPI (Cluster API), with API and addon integration through the Compass platform.