KCNA Cloud Native Observability Practice Question
Which THREE of the following are components of the OpenTelemetry project? (Select three)
⚠ Common exam trap
KCNA often tests whether candidates confuse the OpenTelemetry Collector with a non-existent 'Agent' component, or mistake pluggable exporters for a core project pillar.
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
✓
OpenTelemetry API
The OpenTelemetry API (option B) is a core component that defines the interfaces and instrumentation primitives (Tracer, Meter, Logger) that application code uses to generate telemetry, independent of any implementation. The OpenTelemetry SDK (option C) is the concrete implementation of that API, providing the processing pipeline (span processors, samplers, exporters, resource detection) that turns API calls into exportable telemetry. The OpenTelemetry Collector (option D) is a standalone, vendor-agnostic service that receives, processes, and exports telemetry data via receivers, processors, and exporters, and is a distinct official component of the project. Option A is incorrect because there is no product called the 'OpenTelemetry Agent'; the project ships an SDK and the Collector, not an agent by that name. Option E is incorrect because an exporter is a subcomponent within the SDK or Collector pipeline, not a top-level OpenTelemetry project component.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
OpenTelemetry Agent
Why it's wrong here
No OpenTelemetry component is called an agent; collection is performed by the Collector, which receives, processes and exports telemetry. An agent is tempting because vendor APM tools ship host agents, and that term would fit a question about those proprietary monitoring products.
- ✓
OpenTelemetry API
Why this is correct
The OpenTelemetry API defines vendor-neutral interfaces for instrumenting code to emit traces, metrics and logs, decoupling telemetry generation from any backend. It satisfies the stem's requirement for a genuine project component, sitting alongside the SDK and Collector as one of OpenTelemetry's core building blocks.
- ✓
OpenTelemetry SDK
Why this is correct
The SDK provides the language-specific implementation that instruments applications, processes and exports telemetry data to a backend. It is a core OpenTelemetry component, satisfying the question's requirement for genuine project building blocks alongside the API and Collector.
- ✓
OpenTelemetry Collector
Why this is correct
OpenTelemetry Collector is a vendor-agnostic proxy that receives, processes and exports telemetry data, satisfying the stem's requirement for a genuine OpenTelemetry project component. It decouples instrumentation from backends, supporting traces, metrics and logs via receivers, processors and exporters, and is maintained under the OpenTelemetry project alongside the API, SDK and protocol.
- ✗
OpenTelemetry Exporter
Why it's wrong here
Exporters are pluggable libraries inside the SDK or Collector that translate telemetry into a backend's protocol; they are not a standalone project component. The term tempts because exporters are configured in Collector pipelines, which would be correct if the question asked about Collector configuration sections.
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Same concept, more angles
1 more way this is tested on KCNA
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Which THREE of the following are components of the OpenTelemetry project?
hard- A.Prometheus
- ✓ B.Collector
- ✓ C.Specification
- D.Jaeger
- ✓ E.SDKs (Software Development Kits)
Why B: The OpenTelemetry project is composed of several core deliverables, and the Collector (B) is one of them: it is a vendor-neutral agent/gateway that receives, processes, and exports telemetry (traces, metrics, logs) via receivers, processors, and exporters. The Specification (C) is also a core component, defining the cross-language API, SDK, protocol (OTLP), and semantic conventions that all implementations must follow. SDKs (E) are likewise a core component, providing language-specific implementations (e.g., Java, Go, Python, .NET) that generate and export telemetry according to the specification. Prometheus (A) is a separate CNCF monitoring system and time-series database, not a component of OpenTelemetry, though OTel can export metrics to it. Jaeger (D) is a separate distributed tracing backend (also CNCF) that predates and is independent of OpenTelemetry, even though it can receive OTLP data.
JA
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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