The answer is that node1 is marked as unschedulable and all pods except DaemonSets are evicted. This happens because `kubectl cordon node1` applies a taint that prevents any new pods from being scheduled onto the node, while `kubectl drain node1 --ignore-daemonsets` actively evicts all existing pods, with the `--ignore-daemonsets` flag exempting DaemonSet-managed pods since they are controlled by the DaemonSet controller and must run on every node by design. On the CKA exam, this sequence tests your understanding of node maintenance workflows, often appearing in scenarios where you must safely prepare a node for rebooting or patching without disrupting critical system components. A common trap is forgetting that `cordon` alone does not evict pods, or that `drain` without `--ignore-daemonsets` will fail if DaemonSets are present. Remember the memory tip: “Cordon to block, drain to evict—DaemonSets stay, the rest get kicked.”
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.
An administrator runs 'kubectl cordon node1' and then 'kubectl drain node1 --ignore-daemonsets'. What is the effect on node1?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Node1 is marked as unschedulable and all pods except DaemonSets are evicted
The `kubectl cordon node1` command marks node1 as unschedulable, preventing new pods from being scheduled onto it. The subsequent `kubectl drain node1 --ignore-daemonsets` command evicts all pods from node1 except DaemonSets (which are ignored because they are managed by the DaemonSet controller and typically need to run on every node). This combination makes node1 unschedulable and removes all non-DaemonSet pods, preparing the node for maintenance.
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.
✓
Node1 is marked as unschedulable and all pods except DaemonSets are evicted
Why this is correct
Cordon marks unschedulable, drain evicts pods (excluding DaemonSets due to flag).
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Node1 is marked as unschedulable but no pods are evicted
Why it's wrong here
Drain evicts pods, so pods are evicted.
✗
New pods are scheduled onto node1 and existing pods are evicted
Why it's wrong here
Cordon prevents new pods from being scheduled.
✗
Node1 is marked as schedulable and all pods are evicted
Why it's wrong here
Cordon makes the node unschedulable, not schedulable.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse `cordon` (which only marks the node unschedulable) with `drain` (which evicts pods), or mistakenly think `--ignore-daemonsets` means no pods are evicted at all, when in fact it only excludes DaemonSet pods from eviction.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, `kubectl drain` uses the eviction API to gracefully terminate pods, respecting PodDisruptionBudgets (PDBs) to avoid disrupting critical workloads. The `--ignore-daemonsets` flag is necessary because DaemonSets are designed to run on every node and cannot be evicted without special handling; without this flag, the drain would fail if DaemonSet pods are present. In real-world scenarios, this sequence is used for node maintenance (e.g., kernel upgrades) where you want to safely move workloads off a node while keeping DaemonSets running for logging or monitoring.
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: Node1 is marked as unschedulable and all pods except DaemonSets are evicted — The `kubectl cordon node1` command marks node1 as unschedulable, preventing new pods from being scheduled onto it. The subsequent `kubectl drain node1 --ignore-daemonsets` command evicts all pods from node1 except DaemonSets (which are ignored because they are managed by the DaemonSet controller and typically need to run on every node). This combination makes node1 unschedulable and removes all non-DaemonSet pods, preparing the node for maintenance.
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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