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 need to enable audit logging for the Kubernetes API server. Which three flags must be set?
To enable audit logging in the Kubernetes API server, you must specify the path for the audit log file (`--audit-log-path`), the path to the audit policy file that defines which events to log (`--audit-policy-file`), and the maximum number of days to retain old audit log files (`--audit-log-maxage`). These three flags are the minimum required to activate and control basic audit logging, as the API server will not generate audit logs without a policy file and a log destination.
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.
Missing --audit-log-path; the log file destination is required.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates assume `--audit-log-maxsize` or `--audit-log-maxbackup` are mandatory for rotation, but the CKS exam tests that `--audit-log-maxage` is the only rotation flag required alongside the path and policy file to enable basic audit logging.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The `--audit-policy-file` flag points to a YAML file that defines rules for logging API requests based on stages (e.g., RequestReceived, ResponseComplete) and verb/resource patterns. The `--audit-log-maxage` flag controls log rotation by days, while `--audit-log-maxsize` and `--audit-log-maxbackup` control rotation by file size and backup count, respectively. In production, you often set all rotation flags to prevent disk exhaustion, but only `--audit-log-path`, `--audit-policy-file`, and `--audit-log-maxage` are strictly required to start logging.
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, --audit-policy-file, --audit-log-maxage — To enable audit logging in the Kubernetes API server, you must specify the path for the audit log file (`--audit-log-path`), the path to the audit policy file that defines which events to log (`--audit-policy-file`), and the maximum number of days to retain old audit log files (`--audit-log-maxage`). These three flags are the minimum required to activate and control basic audit logging, as the API server will not generate audit logs without a policy file and a log destination.
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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