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.
Which TWO of the following are control plane components? (Select 2)
kube-proxy
Why wrong: Worker node component.
kube-controller-manager
Part of the control plane.
kube-scheduler
Part of the control plane.
kubelet
Why wrong: Worker node component.
etcd
Why wrong: etcd is a control plane component, but we already have two correct answers.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
kube-controller-manager
The kube-controller-manager (B) and kube-scheduler (C) are core control plane components that run on the master node. The controller-manager runs controller processes (e.g., Node Controller, Replication Controller) to regulate cluster state, while the scheduler assigns pods to nodes based on resource constraints and policies. Both are essential for cluster management and are listed in the official Kubernetes control plane architecture.
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.
kube-proxy
Why it's wrong here
Worker node component.
kube-controller-manager
Why this is correct
Part of the control plane.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
kube-scheduler
Why this is correct
Part of the control plane.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
kubelet
Why it's wrong here
Worker node component.
etcd
Why it's wrong here
etcd is a control plane component, but we already have two correct answers.
Common exam traps
CNCF often tests the distinction between control plane and node-level components, trapping candidates who confuse kube-proxy or kubelet (which run on every node) with control plane components, or who incorrectly categorize etcd as a control plane component rather than a distributed data store.
Detailed technical explanation
The control plane components (kube-apiserver, etcd, kube-scheduler, kube-controller-manager, cloud-controller-manager) collectively manage cluster decisions and state. The kube-controller-manager runs multiple controllers in a single binary, each watching the API server for desired state changes (e.g., the Deployment controller ensures replica counts match). The kube-scheduler uses predicates and priorities to filter and score nodes, with default plugins like NodeResourcesFit and InterPodAffinity. In production, etcd is often run as a separate cluster for high availability, but it is still considered a control plane data store, not a component that actively manages cluster operations.
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: kube-controller-manager — The kube-controller-manager (B) and kube-scheduler (C) are core control plane components that run on the master node. The controller-manager runs controller processes (e.g., Node Controller, Replication Controller) to regulate cluster state, while the scheduler assigns pods to nodes based on resource constraints and policies. Both are essential for cluster management and are listed in the official Kubernetes control plane architecture.
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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