Who initiates the connection in the Illumio Core system?

In the Illumio Core system, the Virtual Enforcement Nodes (VENs) initiate the connection. VENs are responsible for monitoring and enforcing security policies at the workload level. They actively engage with the Policy Computing Engine (PCE) to receive policy updates and report on the state of workloads, ensuring that security controls are effectively applied.

This architecture is designed for resilience and efficiency, as the VENs operate in a decentralized manner, enabling them to function regardless of connectivity to the PCE. Their ability to initiate connections allows for real-time communication and enforcement of security policies across the network, adapting to changing workload conditions.

Understanding this mechanism highlights the operational dynamics of the Illumio Core system, where the VENs play a crucial role in maintaining security posture and responsiveness to threats while interacting with the broader control plane managed by the PCE.