# Configure External Access

> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.redpanda.com/llms.txt). Component-specific: [streaming-full.txt](https://docs.redpanda.com/streaming-full.txt)

---
title: Configure External Access
latest-redpanda-tag: v25.2.1
latest-console-tag: v3.7.3
latest-operator-version: v26.1.4
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page-eol-date: July 31, 2026
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docname: kubernetes/networking/external/index
page-component-name: streaming
page-version: "25.2"
page-component-version: "25.2"
page-component-title: Streaming
page-relative-src-path: kubernetes/networking/external/index.adoc
page-edit-url: https://github.com/redpanda-data/docs/edit/v/25.2/modules/manage/pages/kubernetes/networking/external/index.adoc
description: Use Kubernetes Services to expose your Redpanda cluster to clients outside of your Kubernetes cluster.
page-git-created-date: "2023-11-14"
page-git-modified-date: "2024-02-26"
support-status: nearing end-of-life
---

<!-- Source: https://docs.redpanda.com/streaming/25.2/manage/kubernetes/networking/external.md -->

Setting up external access to your Redpanda cluster allows applications running outside the Kubernetes cluster to communicate with Redpanda. To make the Redpanda brokers externally accessible, the Pods must be exposed through Kubernetes Services.

-   [Configure External Access through a NodePort Service](k-nodeport/)

    Use a NodePort Service to expose your Redpanda cluster to clients outside of your Kubernetes cluster.

-   [Configure External Access through LoadBalancer Services](k-loadbalancer/)

    Use LoadBalancer Services to expose your Redpanda cluster to clients outside of your Kubernetes cluster.

-   [Use a Custom Service for External Access](k-custom-services/)

    Expose your Redpanda cluster to clients outside of your Kubernetes cluster by using a custom Service.