- A
RBAC Role
Why wrong: RBAC roles control access to Kubernetes API resources, not network traffic between pods.
- B
NetworkPolicy
NetworkPolicy defines rules for allowed ingress and egress traffic between pods based on pod labels, namespaces, or IP blocks.
- C
PodSecurityPolicy
Why wrong: PodSecurityPolicy (deprecated) controls security aspects of pods, not network traffic.
- D
Service
Why wrong: A Service provides a stable endpoint for a set of pods but does not restrict traffic from specific pods.
Question 488 of 997
NetworkPolicy — Restrict Pod Communication by Labels
This KCNA practice question tests your understanding of kubernetes fundamentals. 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 have a Kubernetes cluster with multiple namespaces. You need to allow communication only from pods with label 'app: frontend' to pods with label 'app: backend' in the same namespace. Which resource should you use?
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
✓
NetworkPolicy
NetworkPolicy is a Kubernetes resource that controls ingress and egress traffic between pods based on labels, namespaces, or IP blocks. By defining a NetworkPolicy with a podSelector matching 'app: backend' and an ingress rule that allows traffic only from pods with label 'app: frontend', you can restrict communication to only those pods in the same namespace. This is the correct approach because NetworkPolicy operates at Layer 3/4 (and optionally Layer 7 with Cilium) to enforce network segmentation.
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.
- ✗
RBAC Role
Why it's wrong here
RBAC roles control access to Kubernetes API resources, not network traffic between pods.
- ✓
NetworkPolicy
Why this is correct
NetworkPolicy defines rules for allowed ingress and egress traffic between pods based on pod labels, namespaces, or IP blocks.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
PodSecurityPolicy
Why it's wrong here
PodSecurityPolicy (deprecated) controls security aspects of pods, not network traffic.
- ✗
Service
Why it's wrong here
A Service provides a stable endpoint for a set of pods but does not restrict traffic from specific pods.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse RBAC (which controls API access) with network access control, assuming that a Role or RoleBinding can restrict pod-to-pod traffic, but RBAC has no effect on network-level communication.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NetworkPolicy uses iptables or eBPF under the hood (depending on the CNI plugin, e.g., Calico, Cilium) to implement rules. A key subtlety is that if no NetworkPolicy selects a pod, all traffic is allowed; once any NetworkPolicy selects a pod, all traffic not explicitly allowed is denied (default-deny behavior). In real-world scenarios, you must ensure your CNI plugin supports NetworkPolicy (e.g., Calico, Cilium, Weave Net) — some like Flannel do not, which can lead to silent failures.
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 practitioner preparing for the KCNA exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
- →
Kubernetes Fundamentals — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
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Targeted practice on this topic area only
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Kubernetes and Cloud Native Associate KCNA study guide
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KCNA practice test guide
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this KCNA question test?
Kubernetes Fundamentals — This question tests Kubernetes Fundamentals — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: NetworkPolicy — NetworkPolicy is a Kubernetes resource that controls ingress and egress traffic between pods based on labels, namespaces, or IP blocks. By defining a NetworkPolicy with a podSelector matching 'app: backend' and an ingress rule that allows traffic only from pods with label 'app: frontend', you can restrict communication to only those pods in the same namespace. This is the correct approach because NetworkPolicy operates at Layer 3/4 (and optionally Layer 7 with Cilium) to enforce network segmentation.
What should I do if I get this KCNA 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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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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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