The correct actions are `kubectl cordon <node>` and `kubectl drain <node> --ignore-daemonsets`. You must first cordon the node to mark it unschedulable, preventing new pods from being assigned while you prepare the worker node for maintenance, then drain it to safely evict existing workloads. The `--ignore-daemonsets` flag is critical because DaemonSet pods are managed by the node controller and cannot be evicted; without it, the drain command will hang. On the CKA exam, this sequence tests your understanding of node lifecycle management and the order of operations—cordon before drain avoids race conditions where a new pod is scheduled mid-eviction. A common trap is forgetting the flag or reversing the steps, which could leave workloads running. Remember the mnemonic: "Cordon first, drain the pain—ignore the DaemonSets to stay sane."
CKA Practice Question: Cluster Architecture, Installation and Configuration
This CKA practice question tests your understanding of cluster architecture, installation and configuration. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
You need to prepare a worker node for maintenance. Which TWO actions should you perform? (Choose TWO.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
kubectl drain <node> --ignore-daemonsets
Option C is correct because `kubectl drain` safely evicts all pods from a node before maintenance, and the `--ignore-daemonsets` flag is necessary because DaemonSet pods cannot be evicted (they are managed by the node controller). Option D is correct because `kubectl cordon` marks the node as unschedulable, preventing new pods from being scheduled onto it, which is a prerequisite before draining to avoid race conditions.
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.
✗
kubectl delete node <node>
Why it's wrong here
Deleting the node is not part of maintenance preparation; it removes the node from the cluster.
✗
kubectl uncordon <node>
Why it's wrong here
Uncordon is performed after maintenance to make the node schedulable again.
✓
kubectl drain <node> --ignore-daemonsets
Why this is correct
Draining evicts pods from the node, with --ignore-daemonsets to leave DaemonSet pods.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
kubectl cordon <node>
Why this is correct
Cordoning marks the node as unschedulable, preventing new pods.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
kubectl taint nodes <node> key=value:NoSchedule
Why it's wrong here
While tainting can prevent scheduling, the standard procedure is to cordon and drain.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often think `kubectl cordon` alone is sufficient for maintenance, but it only prevents new scheduling—it does not evict existing pods, so you must also drain the node to safely move workloads off.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, `kubectl drain` performs a sequence of eviction API calls (using the Eviction subresource) to gracefully terminate pods, respecting PodDisruptionBudgets (PDBs). If a pod does not have a controller (e.g., a bare pod), the drain will fail unless `--force` is used. The `--ignore-daemonsets` flag is required because DaemonSet pods are managed by the node's DaemonSet controller and cannot be evicted; without this flag, the drain command would block indefinitely. In real-world scenarios, you must also consider node-local storage pods (e.g., those using `emptyDir`) which may require `--delete-emptydir-data` to proceed.
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 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.
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: kubectl drain <node> --ignore-daemonsets — Option C is correct because `kubectl drain` safely evicts all pods from a node before maintenance, and the `--ignore-daemonsets` flag is necessary because DaemonSet pods cannot be evicted (they are managed by the node controller). Option D is correct because `kubectl cordon` marks the node as unschedulable, preventing new pods from being scheduled onto it, which is a prerequisite before draining to avoid race conditions.
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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