- A
Use a Kubernetes Ingress resource with TLS termination for microservice B.
Why wrong: Ingress is for external traffic; internal service-to-service communication does not need Ingress.
- B
Expose microservice B via a LoadBalancer Service and use HTTPS from microservice A.
Why wrong: LoadBalancer services expose the service externally, which is unnecessary for internal communication and adds complexity.
- C
Connect directly using the pod IP of microservice B over HTTP.
Why wrong: Direct pod IPs are ephemeral and HTTP is insecure; this breaks if pods restart.
- D
Create a Kubernetes Service of type ClusterIP for microservice B and configure microservice A to use HTTPS with the service DNS name.
ClusterIP services are internal and can be used with TLS termination within the cluster for secure communication.
Quick Answer
The answer is to create a Kubernetes Service of type ClusterIP for microservice B and configure microservice A to use HTTPS with the service DNS name. This is the simplest approach because ClusterIP provides a stable, internal DNS name that allows microservice A to reach microservice B without exposing the service outside the cluster, while HTTPS ensures encrypted communication between the pods. On the Cisco DevNet Associate 200-901 exam, this question tests your understanding of Kubernetes service discovery and secure microservice communication, often appearing as a scenario where you must choose the most straightforward method over more complex options like Ingress or NodePort. A common trap is assuming you need an external load balancer or TLS termination at the edge, but the exam emphasizes that internal ClusterIP services paired with HTTPS or mTLS satisfy security requirements without unnecessary complexity. Remember the tip: “ClusterIP keeps it internal, HTTPS keeps it secure.”
200-901 Application Deployment and Security Practice Question
This 200-901 practice question tests your understanding of application deployment and security. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A developer needs to ensure that microservice A can securely communicate with microservice B over HTTPS within a Kubernetes cluster. What is the simplest approach?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Create a Kubernetes Service of type ClusterIP for microservice B and configure microservice A to use HTTPS with the service DNS name.
Option D is correct because using a ClusterIP Service for microservice B provides a stable DNS name within the cluster, allowing microservice A to communicate over HTTPS without exposing the service externally. This approach leverages Kubernetes' internal service discovery and can be paired with a service mesh or mutual TLS (mTLS) for secure communication, meeting the requirement for simplicity and security.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Use a Kubernetes Ingress resource with TLS termination for microservice B.
Why it's wrong here
Ingress is for external traffic; internal service-to-service communication does not need Ingress.
- ✗
Expose microservice B via a LoadBalancer Service and use HTTPS from microservice A.
Why it's wrong here
LoadBalancer services expose the service externally, which is unnecessary for internal communication and adds complexity.
- ✗
Connect directly using the pod IP of microservice B over HTTP.
- ✓
Create a Kubernetes Service of type ClusterIP for microservice B and configure microservice A to use HTTPS with the service DNS name.
Why this is correct
ClusterIP services are internal and can be used with TLS termination within the cluster for secure communication.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often assume external-facing components like Ingress or LoadBalancer are required for HTTPS, but Kubernetes internal services can use HTTPS with ClusterIP and proper certificate management, which is simpler and more secure for east-west traffic.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Kubernetes Services of type ClusterIP create a virtual IP and DNS entry (e.g., <service-name>.<namespace>.svc.cluster.local) that load-balances traffic to healthy pods. For HTTPS, the developer must configure microservice A to trust the certificate presented by microservice B, which can be achieved using a self-signed certificate or a cluster-internal CA, avoiding the need for external certificate authorities. In real-world scenarios, this pattern is often combined with a service mesh like Istio or Linkerd to automate mTLS and certificate rotation, but the simplest approach remains a ClusterIP Service with manual HTTPS configuration.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-901 question test?
Application Deployment and Security — This question tests Application Deployment and Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create a Kubernetes Service of type ClusterIP for microservice B and configure microservice A to use HTTPS with the service DNS name. — Option D is correct because using a ClusterIP Service for microservice B provides a stable DNS name within the cluster, allowing microservice A to communicate over HTTPS without exposing the service externally. This approach leverages Kubernetes' internal service discovery and can be paired with a service mesh or mutual TLS (mTLS) for secure communication, meeting the requirement for simplicity and security.
What should I do if I get this 200-901 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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