# Romana

## Romana

Romana is an open-source project introduced by Panic Networks in 2016, designed to tackle the overhead introduced by Overlay networking solutions.

### Kubernetes Deployment

For Kubernetes clusters deployed with kubeadm:

```bash
kubectl apply -f https://raw.githubusercontent.com/romana/romana/master/docs/kubernetes/romana-kubeadm.yml
```

For Kubernetes clusters deployed with kops:

```bash
kubectl apply -f https://raw.githubusercontent.com/romana/romana/master/docs/kubernetes/romana-kops.yml
```

When using kops, note:

* Set network plugin to CNI with `--networking cni`
* For aws, additional `romana-aws` and `romana-vpcrouter` are available to automatically configure routing between Nodes and Zones

### How It Works

![](https://4011040894-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-LDAOok5ngY4pc1lEDes-1972196547%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-03fda9ac3f685e9d2ec618793142ec0e7e21adeb%2Fromana%20\(2\).png?alt=media)

![](https://4011040894-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-LDAOok5ngY4pc1lEDes-1972196547%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-47667039a4af4cf0e9211d6c3fe9db31a5c74b64%2Frouteagg%20\(2\).png?alt=media)

* Layer 3 networking reduces the overhead from overlays
* Network isolation based on iptables ACLs
* Hierarchy CIDR management for Host/Tenant/Segment ID

![](https://4011040894-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-LDAOok5ngY4pc1lEDes-1972196547%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-406a6e057ac5bd565c17f5eb3bba9551ce02ee14%2Fcidr%20\(2\).png?alt=media)

### Advantages

* Pure layer 3 networking, better performance

### Disadvantages

* Tenant management based on IP has scalability limitations
* Modifications to physical devices or address planning are cumbersome

**Reference Documents**

* <http://romana.io/>
* [Romana basics](http://romana.io/how/romana_basics/)
* [Romana Github](https://github.com/romana/romana)
* [Romana 2.0](http://romana.readthedocs.io/en/latest/index.html)

***

## Unleashing Romana: A Network Efficiency Game-Changer

Welcome to Romana, Panic Networks' brainchild and open-source marvel born in 2016, with a singular mission: slashing the hefty overhead that comes with Overlay networking solutions.

### Elevating Kubernetes Deployment

Are you navigating the Kubernetes seas with kubeadm? Cast this digital net:

```bash
kubectl apply -f https://raw.githubusercontent.com/romana/romana/master/docs/kubernetes/romana-kubeadm.yml
```

Or are you charting your course with kops? Here's your map:

```bash
kubectl apply -f https://raw.githubusercontent.com/romana/romana/master/docs/kubernetes/romana-kops.yml
```

Charting with kops? Take heed:

* Choose CNI as your trusted companion with `--networking cni`
* For aws explorers, `romana-aws` and `romana-vpcrouter` are your guides to seamless Node and Zone route configurations

### The Magic Under the Hood

![](https://4011040894-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-LDAOok5ngY4pc1lEDes-1972196547%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-03fda9ac3f685e9d2ec618793142ec0e7e21adeb%2Fromana%20\(2\).png?alt=media)

![](https://4011040894-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-LDAOok5ngY4pc1lEDes-1972196547%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-47667039a4af4cf0e9211d6c3fe9db31a5c74b64%2Frouteagg%20\(2\).png?alt=media)

* Layer 3 networking is the secret sauce, cutting down those pesky overlay costs
* iptables ACLs stand guard, ensuring your network's isolation
* The CIDR hierarchy reigns over Hosts, Tenants, and Segments with ease

![](https://4011040894-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-LDAOok5ngY4pc1lEDes-1972196547%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-406a6e057ac5bd565c17f5eb3bba9551ce02ee14%2Fcidr%20\(2\).png?alt=media)

### The Perks

* Immerse yourself in the efficiency of pure layer 3 networking

### The Quirks

* An IP-based tenant ledger can fill up; beware the scale ceiling
* Gear shifts in the physical realm or rerouting your address plan? A bit of a tangle

**Decoding the References**

* Discover Romana's realm: <http://romana.io/>
* The ABCs of Romana: [Romana basics](http://romana.io/how/romana_basics/)
* Romana's Github sanctuary: [Romana Github](https://github.com/romana/romana)
* Meet Romana 2.0: [Romana 2.0](http://romana.readthedocs.io/en/latest/index.html)