This CKA practice question tests your understanding of services and networking. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 NetworkPolicy named 'default-deny-ingress' is applied to all pods in a namespace. The policy has no rules. An administrator then creates a new NetworkPolicy that allows ingress traffic to pods with label 'app: web' from any source using a podSelector with '{}'. Will traffic be allowed to pods labeled 'app: web'?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Yes, because the new policy allows traffic to pods with label 'app: web'
An empty podSelector {} selects all pods, but rules are still evaluated. However, the default-deny policy denies all ingress unless allowed. The new policy explicitly allows ingress to 'app: web' pods, so they become allowed.
Key principle: ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
No, because the new policy's empty podSelector selects all pods but does not specify a source
Why it's wrong here
An empty podSelector in from selects all sources.
✗
Yes, because the default-deny policy is ignored when a new policy exists
Why it's wrong here
Default-deny is not ignored; it is overridden only for pods matched by allow rules.
✗
No, because the default-deny policy takes precedence
Why it's wrong here
NetworkPolicies are additive: any allow rule overrides the default deny for the selected pods.
✓
Yes, because the new policy allows traffic to pods with label 'app: web'
Why this is correct
The new policy explicitly allows ingress to those pods, overriding the default deny.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: ACLs stop at the first match
ACLs are processed top to bottom. The first matching entry wins, and an implicit deny usually exists at the end.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
ACL questions test precision: source, destination, protocol, port and direction. A generally correct ACL can still fail if it is applied on the wrong interface or in the wrong direction.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
Extended ACLs can match source, destination, protocol and ports.
The first matching ACL entry is used.
There is usually an implicit deny at the end.
TExam Day Tips
→Check inbound versus outbound direction.
→Read the ACL from top to bottom.
→Look for a broader permit or deny above the intended line.
Key takeaway
ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A security administrator must allow nursing staff to reach a patient records server while blocking access from the guest Wi-Fi VLAN. After applying an extended ACL, traffic is still blocked from nursing workstations. The ACL was applied outbound instead of inbound on the wrong interface. Questions like this test ACL direction and placement rules.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this CKA question in full detail.
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related CKA ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
Services and Networking — This question tests Services and Networking — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Yes, because the new policy allows traffic to pods with label 'app: web' — An empty podSelector {} selects all pods, but rules are still evaluated. However, the default-deny policy denies all ingress unless allowed. The new policy explicitly allows ingress to 'app: web' pods, so they become allowed.
What should I do if I get this CKA question wrong?
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related CKA ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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Question Discussion
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