# Kubernetes Ingress

> A Kubernetes Ingress defines HTTP and HTTPS routing rules by host and path to Services and is implemented by an Ingress controller such as NGINX or Traefik.

- Source: https://www.itwonderlab.com/ingress/
- Published: 2026-08-15
- Updated: 2026-08-15
- Author: Javier Ruiz Jiménez (https://www.javierruizjimenez.com/)
- Site: IT Wonder Lab (https://www.itwonderlab.com/)

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An **Ingress** is a set of rules that routes external HTTP and HTTPS traffic to [Services](https://www.itwonderlab.com/kubernetes-service/) by host name and path, and terminates TLS. It does nothing by itself: an **Ingress controller** (NGINX, [Traefik](https://www.itwonderlab.com/traefik/), HAProxy, a cloud controller) reads the rules and configures a proxy. Part of [Kubernetes](https://www.itwonderlab.com/kubernetes/).

### Key concepts

- **IngressClass**: selects the controller (`ingressClassName`).
- **Rules**: `host`, `path` and `pathType` (`Prefix`, `Exact`).
- **TLS**: a Secret with the certificate, often issued by [cert-manager](https://www.itwonderlab.com/cert-manager/).
- **Gateway API**: the newer, more expressive successor.

### Learn it

Follow [Services and Ingress](https://www.itwonderlab.com/kubernetes-services-ingress/).