- A
kubectl create secret generic my-tls --from-file=cert.pem --from-file=key.pem
Why wrong: This creates a generic secret, not a tls secret. The tls secret type expects cert and key to be stored under specific keys.
- B
kubectl create secret tls my-tls --certificate=cert.pem --private-key=key.pem
Why wrong: The flags are --cert and --key, not --certificate and --private-key.
- C
kubectl create secret tls my-tls --from-file=tls.crt=cert.pem --from-file=tls.key=key.pem
Why wrong: The correct flags are --cert and --key, not --from-file.
- D
kubectl create secret tls my-tls --cert=cert.pem --key=key.pem
This command creates a tls secret with the provided certificate and key files.
CKAD Practice Question: Application Environment, Configuration and Security
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.
You need to create a Secret of type 'kubernetes.io/tls' for ingress. Which command is correct?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"which command"Why it matters: Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
kubectl create secret tls my-tls --cert=cert.pem --key=key.pem
Option D is correct because `kubectl create secret tls` is the dedicated command for creating a TLS secret, and it uses the `--cert` and `--key` flags to specify the certificate and private key files respectively. This creates a Secret of type `kubernetes.io/tls`, which is required for Ingress resources to terminate HTTPS traffic.
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 create secret generic my-tls --from-file=cert.pem --from-file=key.pem
Why it's wrong here
This creates a generic secret, not a tls secret. The tls secret type expects cert and key to be stored under specific keys.
- ✗
kubectl create secret tls my-tls --certificate=cert.pem --private-key=key.pem
Why it's wrong here
The flags are --cert and --key, not --certificate and --private-key.
- ✗
kubectl create secret tls my-tls --from-file=tls.crt=cert.pem --from-file=tls.key=key.pem
Why it's wrong here
The correct flags are --cert and --key, not --from-file.
- ✓
kubectl create secret tls my-tls --cert=cert.pem --key=key.pem
Why this is correct
This command creates a tls secret with the provided certificate and key files.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "which command" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse the `--from-file` syntax from `kubectl create secret generic` with the dedicated TLS command, or misremember the flag names as `--certificate`/`--private-key` instead of the correct `--cert`/`--key`.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, `kubectl create secret tls` automatically sets the data keys to `tls.crt` and `tls.key` in the Secret's `data` field, which is the convention expected by Ingress controllers (e.g., nginx-ingress, GKE Ingress). The `--cert` and `--key` flags accept file paths and base64-encode the contents for storage in the Kubernetes API. A real-world scenario where this matters is when automating TLS certificate rotation: using the correct command ensures the Ingress controller picks up the new certificate without manual key remapping.
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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
- →
Application Environment, Configuration and Security — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CKAD question test?
Application Environment, Configuration and Security — This question tests Application Environment, Configuration and Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: kubectl create secret tls my-tls --cert=cert.pem --key=key.pem — Option D is correct because `kubectl create secret tls` is the dedicated command for creating a TLS secret, and it uses the `--cert` and `--key` flags to specify the certificate and private key files respectively. This creates a Secret of type `kubernetes.io/tls`, which is required for Ingress resources to terminate HTTPS traffic.
What should I do if I get this CKAD question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "which command". Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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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