CKA Practice Question: Cluster Architecture, Installation and Configuration
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 was installed using kubeadm. You need to upgrade the cluster from v1.28 to v1.29. Which of the following is the correct order of operations?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Drain control plane node, upgrade kubeadm and kubelet on control plane, uncordon, then repeat for worker nodes
Option B is correct because the kubeadm upgrade process requires the control plane node to be upgraded first, as it hosts the core cluster components (API server, scheduler, controller-manager). Draining the node ensures workloads are evicted, then kubeadm and kubelet are upgraded on the control plane, followed by uncordoning. Worker nodes are upgraded afterward to maintain cluster stability and compatibility.
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.
✗
Drain each node, upgrade control plane, then upgrade worker nodes
Why it's wrong here
Missing uncordon step and order is control plane first.
✓
Drain control plane node, upgrade kubeadm and kubelet on control plane, uncordon, then repeat for worker nodes
Why this is correct
Correct sequence: drain control plane, upgrade, uncordon, then similarly for workers.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Upgrade worker nodes first, then control plane nodes
Why it's wrong here
Control plane must be upgraded first.
✗
Upgrade all nodes simultaneously
Why it's wrong here
Control plane must be upgraded first.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often assume all nodes can be upgraded in any order or simultaneously, but the CKA requires strict sequential upgrade of control plane first, then workers, with drain/uncordon steps.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The kubeadm upgrade process enforces a specific version skew policy: the kube-apiserver must be at the highest version, and kubelets can be up to two minor versions older. During upgrade, 'kubeadm upgrade plan' validates the target version, and 'kubeadm upgrade apply' on the control plane updates static pod manifests for core components. Draining uses 'kubectl drain' with '--ignore-daemonsets' to safely evict pods before upgrading the kubelet.
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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this CKA question in full detail.
Cluster Architecture, Installation and Configuration — This question tests Cluster Architecture, Installation and Configuration — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Drain control plane node, upgrade kubeadm and kubelet on control plane, uncordon, then repeat for worker nodes — Option B is correct because the kubeadm upgrade process requires the control plane node to be upgraded first, as it hosts the core cluster components (API server, scheduler, controller-manager). Draining the node ensures workloads are evicted, then kubeadm and kubelet are upgraded on the control plane, followed by uncordoning. Worker nodes are upgraded afterward to maintain cluster stability and compatibility.
What should I do if I get this CKA 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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Question Discussion
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