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 node has been cordoned. Which statement about the node is true?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The node is marked as unschedulable, but existing pods continue to run
When a node is cordoned using `kubectl cordon <node>`, it is marked as unschedulable by setting the `spec.unschedulable` field to `true`. This prevents new pods from being scheduled onto the node, but existing pods continue to run normally. The kubelet remains active, and the node stays in the cluster.
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.
✗
All pods on the node are immediately terminated
Why it's wrong here
Cordoning does not terminate pods; it only prevents new scheduling.
✗
The kubelet on the node is stopped
Why it's wrong here
Cordoning does not stop the kubelet; the kubelet continues to manage existing pods.
✗
The node is removed from the cluster
Why it's wrong here
Cordoning does not remove the node; it remains part of the cluster but unschedulable.
✓
The node is marked as unschedulable, but existing pods continue to run
Why this is correct
Cordoning sets the node's status to Unschedulable, preventing new pods from being scheduled while existing pods keep running.
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 confusing `cordon` with `drain` — candidates often think cordoning also evicts pods, but it only prevents new scheduling, leaving existing pods untouched.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, cordoning updates the node object in etcd via the Kubernetes API, setting `spec.unschedulable: true`. The kube-scheduler checks this field before assigning pods; if true, the node is excluded from scheduling decisions. A real-world scenario is performing maintenance on a node: you cordon it to stop new workloads, then drain it to safely evict existing pods.
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: The node is marked as unschedulable, but existing pods continue to run — When a node is cordoned using `kubectl cordon <node>`, it is marked as unschedulable by setting the `spec.unschedulable` field to `true`. This prevents new pods from being scheduled onto the node, but existing pods continue to run normally. The kubelet remains active, and the node stays in the cluster.
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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