This CKA practice question tests your understanding of cluster architecture, installation and configuration. 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 cluster is running etcd without TLS. The admin wants to take a snapshot backup. Which command is correct?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "which command"
Why it matters: Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
etcdctl backup --data-dir /var/lib/etcd
Why wrong: This is deprecated and uses v2 API.
ETCDCTL_API=3 etcdctl snapshot save /backup/snapshot.db
etcdctl snapshot save with API version 3 is the correct command for backup.
etcdctl export --data-dir /var/lib/etcd
Why wrong: There is no export command for backup.
etcdctl snapshot save --endpoints=http://127.0.0.1:2379 /backup/snapshot.db
Why wrong: Missing ETCDCTL_API=3, may default to v2.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
ETCDCTL_API=3 etcdctl snapshot save /backup/snapshot.db
Option B is correct because `ETCDCTL_API=3 etcdctl snapshot save` is the proper command to take a snapshot backup of an etcd cluster using the v3 API. Since the cluster is running without TLS, the command does not require additional flags like `--cacert` or `--cert`, but the default endpoint is `http://127.0.0.1:2379`, which is used implicitly. The v3 API is required because etcd v3 stores data in a different format than v2, and `snapshot save` captures the full key-value store for disaster recovery.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
etcdctl backup --data-dir /var/lib/etcd
Why it's wrong here
This is deprecated and uses v2 API.
ETCDCTL_API=3 etcdctl snapshot save /backup/snapshot.db
Why this is correct
etcdctl snapshot save with API version 3 is the correct command for backup.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "which command" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
etcdctl export --data-dir /var/lib/etcd
Why it's wrong here
There is no export command for backup.
etcdctl snapshot save --endpoints=http://127.0.0.1:2379 /backup/snapshot.db
Why it's wrong here
Missing ETCDCTL_API=3, may default to v2.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often forget to set `ETCDCTL_API=3` and assume the v3 command works without it, or they over-specify the endpoint flag when it is not needed, leading them to choose Option D instead of B.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
There is no export command for backup.
Detailed technical explanation
The `etcdctl snapshot save` command creates a point-in-time snapshot of the etcd database, which includes all key-value pairs, metadata, and the consistent state of the cluster. Under the hood, etcd uses the Raft consensus algorithm, and a snapshot captures the current state machine without requiring a full log replay. In production, snapshots are critical for disaster recovery, and the `--endpoints` flag is only needed when connecting to a remote etcd instance or a non-default port; for a local cluster on the default port, it is redundant.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the CKA exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
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FAQ
Cluster Architecture, Installation and Configuration — This question tests Cluster Architecture, Installation and Configuration — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: ETCDCTL_API=3 etcdctl snapshot save /backup/snapshot.db — Option B is correct because `ETCDCTL_API=3 etcdctl snapshot save` is the proper command to take a snapshot backup of an etcd cluster using the v3 API. Since the cluster is running without TLS, the command does not require additional flags like `--cacert` or `--cert`, but the default endpoint is `http://127.0.0.1:2379`, which is used implicitly. The v3 API is required because etcd v3 stores data in a different format than v2, and `snapshot save` captures the full key-value store for disaster recovery.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Yes — watch for: "which command". Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
This CKA practice question is part of Courseiva's free CNCF certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the CKA exam.
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