Kubernetes Certification Preparation
Preparing for Kubernetes certification exams, such as the Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) and Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD), requires a solid understanding of Kubernetes concepts and hands-on practice.
Exam Overview
Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)
The CKA exam tests your ability to perform the responsibilities of a Kubernetes administrator, including:
- Cluster Architecture, Installation & Configuration: Setting up and configuring a Kubernetes cluster.
- Workloads & Scheduling: Managing Pods, Deployments, and scheduling.
- Services & Networking: Configuring services and networking policies.
- Storage: Managing persistent and ephemeral storage.
- Troubleshooting: Diagnosing and resolving cluster issues.
Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD)
The CKAD exam focuses on your ability to design, build, and deploy applications in Kubernetes, covering:
- Core Concepts: Understanding Pods, Deployments, and Namespaces.
- Configuration: Managing ConfigMaps and Secrets.
- Multi-Container Pods: Designing and deploying multi-container Pod patterns.
- Observability: Monitoring applications and cluster components.
- Services & Networking: Configuring services, ingress, and network policies.
Study Resources
The two most valuable resource types for me personally when preparing for these examinations were the books listed below and the official Kubernetes documentation. Feel free to take them or leave them; it's up to you.
Books
| Book Title | Link |
|---|---|
| Kubernetes Up & Running | Kubernetes Up & Running |
| The Kubernetes Book | The Kubernetes Book |
| Certified Kubernetes Administrator Study Guide | Certified Kubernetes Administrator Study Guide |
| Quick Start Kubernetes | Quick Start Kubernetes |
| Networking & Kubernetes | Networking & Kubernetes |
| Kubernetes Best Practices | Kubernetes Best Practices |
| The Book of Kubernetes | The Book of Kubernetes |
Documentation
| Description | Link |
|---|---|
| Official Kubernetes documentation. | Kubernetes Documentation |
Online Courses
| Course | Link |
|---|---|
| CKA Course on Udemy | CKA Course on Udemy |
| CKAD Design & Build on Pluralsight | CKAD Design & Build on Pluralsight |
Practice Labs
| Description | Link |
|---|---|
| Katacoda | Katacoda |
| Play with Kubernetes | Play with Kubernetes |
| Killer Shell | killer.sh |
Exam Tips
- Time Management: Practice managing your time effectively during the exam.
- Hands-On Practice: Spend ample time practicing in a real Kubernetes environment.
- Understand the Exam Format: Familiarize yourself with the exam interface and question types.
- Stay Calm: Read questions carefully and stay calm during the exam.