- A
2
Why wrong: Incorrect calculation.
- B
4
CPU is the bottleneck; 2000m / 500m = 4.
- C
8
Why wrong: That would exceed CPU capacity.
- D
16
Why wrong: Memory allows 16, but CPU limits to 4.
Question 947 of 997
How many pods can fit on a node given resource requests?
This KCNA practice question tests your understanding of kubernetes fundamentals. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. A key principle to apply: cPU Request. 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.
A pod has resource requests set to 'cpu: 500m' and 'memory: 256Mi'. The node has 2 CPU cores and 4Gi memory. How many pods with the same resource requests can be scheduled on that node, assuming no other 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
✓
4
Each pod requests 0.5 CPU cores (500m) and 256 MiB of memory. The node has 2 CPU cores, so the CPU limit allows 2 / 0.5 = 4 pods. The node has 4 GiB of memory (4096 MiB), so the memory limit allows 4096 / 256 = 16 pods. The tighter constraint is CPU, which permits exactly 4 pods. Option B is correct.
Key principle: CPU Request
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
2
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect calculation.
- ✓
4
Why this is correct
CPU is the bottleneck; 2000m / 500m = 4.
Related concept
CPU Request
- ✗
8
Why it's wrong here
That would exceed CPU capacity.
- ✗
16
Why it's wrong here
Memory allows 16, but CPU limits to 4.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Candidates often mistakenly calculate the maximum number of pods based on memory (16) instead of CPU (4), since memory appears less restrictive. However, CPU is the tighter constraint in this scenario.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Kubernetes scheduling uses resource requests as a hard constraint; the kube-scheduler only places a pod on a node if the sum of requests for each resource does not exceed the node's allocatable capacity. In this scenario, CPU is the bottleneck because the per-pod request (500m) is a large fraction of the node's total (2 cores). Real-world clusters often have asymmetric resource profiles, so a pod may be CPU-bound or memory-bound depending on the workload, and the scheduler must respect both limits simultaneously.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- CPU Request
- Memory Request
- Node Capacity
- Resource Constraints
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
CPU Request
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A security administrator must allow nursing staff to reach a patient records server while blocking access from the guest Wi-Fi VLAN. After applying an extended ACL, traffic is still blocked from nursing workstations. The ACL was applied outbound instead of inbound on the wrong interface. Questions like this test ACL direction and placement rules.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review cPU Request, then practise related KCNA questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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Kubernetes Fundamentals — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this KCNA question test?
Kubernetes Fundamentals — This question tests Kubernetes Fundamentals — CPU Request.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: 4 — Each pod requests 0.5 CPU cores (500m) and 256 MiB of memory. The node has 2 CPU cores, so the CPU limit allows 2 / 0.5 = 4 pods. The node has 4 GiB of memory (4096 MiB), so the memory limit allows 4096 / 256 = 16 pods. The tighter constraint is CPU, which permits exactly 4 pods. Option B is correct.
What should I do if I get this KCNA question wrong?
Review cPU Request, then practise related KCNA questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
CPU Request
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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.
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