This CKS practice question tests your understanding of cluster setup and hardening. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 are tasked with enabling audit logging for the Kubernetes API server. You have created an audit policy file at /etc/kubernetes/audit-policy.yaml. Which flag must be added to the API server manifest to enable audit logging?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
--audit-log-path=/var/log/kubernetes/audit.log
Option D is correct because the `--audit-log-path` flag is required to enable audit logging in the Kubernetes API server. Without specifying a log path, the API server will not write audit events to a file, even if an audit policy is defined. The `--audit-policy-file` flag (Option A) defines the rules for what to audit, but audit logging itself is only activated when a log destination is provided via `--audit-log-path`.
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.
This flag specifies the policy file but does not by itself enable logging; you also need --audit-log-path.
✗
--audit-log-level=2
Why it's wrong here
This flag is not recognized; audit log verbosity is controlled by the policy, not a log level flag.
✗
--enable-audit-log
Why it's wrong here
Not a valid kube-apiserver flag.
✓
--audit-log-path=/var/log/kubernetes/audit.log
Why this is correct
This flag enables audit logging by specifying the output file.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CNCF often tests the misconception that `--audit-policy-file` alone enables audit logging, but the trap is that the log destination flag (`--audit-log-path`) is mandatory to actually start writing audit events.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, the Kubernetes API server uses an audit middleware that intercepts requests and applies the rules defined in the audit policy file. The `--audit-log-path` flag triggers the backend that writes JSON-formatted audit events to the specified file, with optional rotation via `--audit-log-maxage`, `--audit-log-maxbackup`, and `--audit-log-maxsize`. In a real-world scenario, failing to set `--audit-log-path` means no audit logs are generated, even if a policy is defined, which can lead to compliance failures in regulated environments.
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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this CKS question in full detail.
Cluster Setup and Hardening — This question tests Cluster Setup and Hardening — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: --audit-log-path=/var/log/kubernetes/audit.log — Option D is correct because the `--audit-log-path` flag is required to enable audit logging in the Kubernetes API server. Without specifying a log path, the API server will not write audit events to a file, even if an audit policy is defined. The `--audit-policy-file` flag (Option A) defines the rules for what to audit, but audit logging itself is only activated when a log destination is provided via `--audit-log-path`.
What should I do if I get this CKS 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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Question Discussion
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