This CKA practice question tests your understanding of cluster architecture, installation and configuration. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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.
Which TWO components are part of the Kubernetes control plane? (Select two.)
kubelet
Why wrong: kubelet runs on every node, but is not a control plane component.
etcd
etcd is a control plane component storing cluster data.
kube-proxy
Why wrong: kube-proxy runs on worker nodes.
container runtime
Why wrong: Container runtime runs on all nodes but is not a control plane component.
kube-controller-manager
Controller manager runs control loops and is part of the control plane.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
etcd
etcd is a distributed key-value store that serves as the primary datastore for the Kubernetes cluster, storing all cluster state and configuration data. The kube-controller-manager runs controller processes that regulate the state of the cluster, such as the node controller, replication controller, and endpoints controller. Both are core control plane components that run on the master node(s).
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
kubelet
Why it's wrong here
kubelet runs on every node, but is not a control plane component.
etcd
Why this is correct
etcd is a control plane component storing cluster data.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
kube-proxy
Why it's wrong here
kube-proxy runs on worker nodes.
container runtime
Why it's wrong here
Container runtime runs on all nodes but is not a control plane component.
kube-controller-manager
Why this is correct
Controller manager runs control loops and is part of the control plane.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
CNCF often tests the distinction between control plane components and node-level agents; the trap here is that candidates confuse kubelet or kube-proxy as control plane components because they are essential to cluster operation, but they actually run on every node and are not part of the control plane.
Detailed technical explanation
etcd uses the Raft consensus algorithm to maintain consistency across replicas, and it stores all cluster objects (e.g., pods, services, secrets) as key-value pairs; a loss of etcd quorum can cause the cluster to become read-only or fail. The kube-controller-manager runs multiple controllers in a single binary, each watching the API server for desired state changes and taking corrective actions via control loops. In a real-world scenario, if etcd is backed up improperly or a quorum is lost, the entire cluster can become unavailable, highlighting the criticality of etcd maintenance.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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.
What to study next
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FAQ
Cluster Architecture, Installation and Configuration — This question tests Cluster Architecture, Installation and Configuration — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: etcd — etcd is a distributed key-value store that serves as the primary datastore for the Kubernetes cluster, storing all cluster state and configuration data. The kube-controller-manager runs controller processes that regulate the state of the cluster, such as the node controller, replication controller, and endpoints controller. Both are core control plane components that run on the master node(s).
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026
This CKA practice question is part of Courseiva's free CNCF certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the CKA exam.
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