KCNA Kubernetes Fundamentals Practice Question
A user wants to ensure that a Deployment undergoes a rolling update with zero downtime, and that new Pods are fully ready before old Pods are terminated. Which field in the Deployment spec controls this behavior?
⚠ Common exam trap
CNCF often tests the misconception that `minReadySeconds` controls the rolling update order, but it only affects the Pod's availability status after readiness, not the termination timing of old Pods.
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
✓
spec.strategy.rollingUpdate.maxUnavailable and maxSurge
`spec.strategy.rollingUpdate.maxUnavailable` and `maxSurge` control how many Pods can be unavailable and how many can be created above the desired count during a rolling update. Setting `maxUnavailable=0` ensures no old Pods are terminated until new Pods are fully ready, achieving zero-downtime updates. `maxSurge` allows extra Pods to be created before old ones are removed, enabling a controlled rollout.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
spec.minReadySeconds
Why it's wrong here
minReadySeconds specifies how long a newly created Pod should be ready before it is considered available.
- ✓
spec.strategy.rollingUpdate.maxUnavailable and maxSurge
Why this is correct
These fields control how many Pods can be unavailable and how many can be created above the desired count during a rolling update.
- ✗
spec.replicas
Why it's wrong here
Replicas sets the desired number of Pods, but does not control update behavior.
- ✗
spec.template.spec.containers[].resources
Why it's wrong here
Resource requests and limits affect scheduling and limits, but not the update strategy.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This KCNA 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 KCNA exam.