Quick Answer
The answer is LimitRange, which is the correct Kubernetes resource to enforce a per-pod memory limit of 4Gi in the 'prod' namespace. A LimitRange sets default and maximum resource constraints at the namespace level, applying to every pod that does not specify its own limits, thereby capping memory usage per container or pod. In contrast, ResourceQuota restricts total aggregate resource consumption across all pods in a namespace, not individual pod limits. On the Certified Kubernetes Application Developer CKAD exam, this distinction is a common trap: questions about per-pod constraints always point to LimitRange, while ResourceQuota handles namespace-wide quotas. Remember the mnemonic "Limit per pod, Quota for the crowd" to quickly differentiate them during the exam.
This CKAD practice question tests your understanding of application environment, configuration and security. 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 cluster administrator wants to enforce that no pod in namespace 'prod' uses more than 4Gi of memory. Which Kubernetes resource should be created?
PodDisruptionBudget
Why wrong: PodDisruptionBudget controls voluntary disruptions, not resource limits.
NetworkPolicy
Why wrong: NetworkPolicy controls network traffic, not resource limits.
LimitRange
A LimitRange with a max limit can enforce a maximum memory limit per container or pod.
ResourceQuota
Why wrong: ResourceQuota limits total resource consumption across all pods, not per pod.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
LimitRange
Option C is correct because a LimitRange resource in the 'prod' namespace can set a default memory limit and a maximum memory limit per container or pod, enforcing that no pod exceeds 4Gi of memory. This is the appropriate Kubernetes primitive for per-pod resource constraints within a namespace, as it applies to all pods that do not specify their own limits.
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.
PodDisruptionBudget
Why it's wrong here
PodDisruptionBudget controls voluntary disruptions, not resource limits.
NetworkPolicy
Why it's wrong here
NetworkPolicy controls network traffic, not resource limits.
LimitRange
Why this is correct
A LimitRange with a max limit can enforce a maximum memory limit per container or pod.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
ResourceQuota
Why it's wrong here
ResourceQuota limits total resource consumption across all pods, not per pod.
Common exam traps
The trap here is confusing ResourceQuota (namespace-level aggregate limits) with LimitRange (per-pod/per-container limits), leading candidates to select D when the question explicitly asks for per-pod enforcement.
Detailed technical explanation
A LimitRange can define both 'max' and 'default' constraints for memory and CPU at the container level, and when a pod is created without specifying resource limits, the LimitRange admission controller automatically injects the default values. This is enforced by the kubelet during pod admission, and if a pod's container requests or limits exceed the defined 'max', the pod creation is rejected. In contrast, a ResourceQuota only caps the sum of resources across all pods, so a single pod could theoretically consume all quota if others are idle, which is why LimitRange is needed for per-pod enforcement.
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 CKAD 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
Application Environment, Configuration and Security — This question tests Application Environment, Configuration and Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: LimitRange — Option C is correct because a LimitRange resource in the 'prod' namespace can set a default memory limit and a maximum memory limit per container or pod, enforcing that no pod exceeds 4Gi of memory. This is the appropriate Kubernetes primitive for per-pod resource constraints within a namespace, as it applies to all pods that do not specify their own limits.
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 25, 2026
This CKAD 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 CKAD exam.
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