This KCNA practice question tests your understanding of kubernetes fundamentals. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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.
Which three components are part of the Kubernetes control plane? (Select THREE)
etcd
etcd stores cluster state.
kube-apiserver
The API server is the front-end of the control plane.
kube-proxy
Why wrong: kube-proxy runs on worker nodes.
kube-controller-manager
The controller manager runs control loop controllers.
kubelet
Why wrong: kubelet is a worker node component.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
etcd
etcd is a consistent and highly-available key-value store used as Kubernetes' backing store for all cluster data. It stores the entire cluster state, including configuration, secrets, and metadata, and is a core component of the control plane because the API server reads from and writes to it to maintain cluster integrity.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
etcd
Why this is correct
etcd stores cluster state.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
kube-apiserver
Why this is correct
The API server is the front-end of the control plane.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
kube-proxy
Why it's wrong here
kube-proxy runs on worker nodes.
kube-controller-manager
Why this is correct
The controller manager runs control loop controllers.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
kubelet
Why it's wrong here
kubelet is a worker node component.
Common exam traps
CNCF often tests the distinction between control plane and worker node components, and the trap here is that candidates confuse kube-proxy or kubelet as control plane components because they are essential to cluster operation, but they actually run on every node and are not part of the control plane.
Detailed technical explanation
The control plane components (etcd, kube-apiserver, kube-controller-manager, and kube-scheduler) collectively manage cluster state and orchestration. etcd uses the Raft consensus algorithm to ensure consistency across replicas, and the API server is the only component that communicates directly with etcd, enforcing RBAC and admission controllers before any state change. In a production scenario, a multi-node etcd cluster is critical for high availability; losing the etcd quorum can cause the entire cluster to become unresponsive.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Kubernetes Fundamentals — This question tests Kubernetes Fundamentals — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: etcd — etcd is a consistent and highly-available key-value store used as Kubernetes' backing store for all cluster data. It stores the entire cluster state, including configuration, secrets, and metadata, and is a core component of the control plane because the API server reads from and writes to it to maintain cluster integrity.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 30, 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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