KCNA Cloud Native Observability Practice Question
A platform team runs a Kubernetes cluster with the OpenTelemetry Collector deployed as a DaemonSet. They want to collect node-level metrics such as CPU and memory usage from every node without modifying application code. Which receiver should they configure in the Collector's pipeline?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming that any receiver can collect node metrics, when only hostmetrics is designed for that specific purpose.
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
✓
hostmetrics receiver
The hostmetrics receiver is purpose-built for collecting host-level metrics such as CPU, memory, disk, and network usage. When the OpenTelemetry Collector is deployed as a DaemonSet, each node runs a Collector instance, so hostmetrics can gather metrics from every node without application changes. Other receivers either require additional exporters, handle different telemetry types, or do not actively scrape node metrics.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
otlp receiver
Why it's wrong here
The OTLP receiver accepts telemetry data that applications or other Collectors send using the OpenTelemetry protocol. It does not actively scrape node-level metrics; it only receives data pushed to it. Without instrumented applications or another source sending node metrics via OTLP, this receiver would not fulfill the goal of collecting CPU and memory usage from each node.
- ✗
prometheus receiver
Why it's wrong here
The Prometheus receiver scrapes metrics from HTTP endpoints that expose Prometheus-formatted data. While it can collect metrics from exporters like node-exporter, it requires such an exporter to be running and exposing metrics. The scenario asks for node-level metrics without additional components, so this receiver alone would not provide the needed data without extra configuration.
- ✓
hostmetrics receiver
Why this is correct
The hostmetrics receiver is designed to collect host-level metrics such as CPU, memory, disk, and network usage from the node where the Collector runs. Since the Collector is deployed as a DaemonSet, one instance runs on each node, allowing hostmetrics to gather node-level metrics without any application instrumentation or code changes, exactly matching the requirement.
- ✗
jaeger receiver
Why it's wrong here
The Jaeger receiver is used to ingest trace data in Jaeger formats, not to collect host metrics. It is relevant for distributed tracing, not for gathering CPU and memory usage from nodes. Deploying it would not provide the node-level metrics the team needs, making it an incorrect choice for this observability requirement.
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Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official CNCF exam blueprint
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