KCNA Cloud Native Application Delivery Practice Question
What is the primary purpose of a container registry in a CI/CD pipeline?
⚠ Common exam trap
KCNA often tests whether candidates confuse the registry (stores images) with the CI server (runs pipelines) or the VCS (stores source), so options describing build triggering or pipeline execution look plausible.
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
✓
To host container images for deployment
A container registry is a centralized repository that stores and distributes container images, typically organized by repository and tagged by version. In a CI/CD pipeline, the build stage produces an image, pushes it to the registry, and the deployment stage pulls it from the registry onto the target runtime. Option D captures this hosting/distribution role precisely.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
To manage Kubernetes secrets
Why it's wrong here
A container registry stores and distributes container images; secrets management belongs to Kubernetes Secrets or an external vault. It is tempting because registries support image signing and access credentials, so it would be the right place when controlling who may pull images rather than managing runtime secret objects.
- ✗
To store source code and trigger builds
Why it's wrong here
Source code hosting and build triggering belong to a version control system with webhooks, not a registry, which stores built image layers and tags. It is tempting because CI pipelines push images to registries as an output, so it would be correct when publishing artefacts rather than initiating builds from commits.
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To run CI/CD pipelines
Why it's wrong here
CI/CD pipelines are typically run by tools like Jenkins or GitLab CI, not by container registries.
- ✓
To host container images for deployment
Why this is correct
A registry stores and versions container images, letting pipeline stages pull the exact artefact for deployment. This satisfies the stem's deployment need: the built image is pushed once, then retrieved by orchestrators, decoupling build output from runtime hosts.
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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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