KCNA Kubernetes Fundamentals Practice Question
Which TWO components are part of a Kubernetes worker node?
⚠ Common exam trap
CNCF often tests the distinction between control plane and worker node components, and the trap here is that candidates mistakenly include the container runtime as a 'Kubernetes component' when it is actually a third-party dependency, or they confuse kube-scheduler as a worker node component because it deals with Pod placement.
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
✓
kubelet
The kubelet is the primary node agent that runs on every worker node. It registers the node with the cluster, receives Pod specifications from the API server, and ensures that the containers described in those Pods are running and healthy. Without the kubelet, a node cannot participate in the cluster as a worker.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
kubelet
Why this is correct
kubelet runs on each node and ensures containers are running as specified.
- ✗
kube-scheduler
Why it's wrong here
kube-scheduler runs on the control plane, not worker nodes.
- ✗
container runtime
Why it's wrong here
Container runtime (e.g., containerd) runs on worker nodes, but the question asks for TWO components; kubelet and kube-proxy are the correct pair.
- ✓
kube-proxy
Why this is correct
kube-proxy runs on each node and manages network rules for Services.
- ✗
etcd
Why it's wrong here
etcd is a control plane component, not a worker node component.
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
This KCNA question is part of Courseiva's 833-question bank — original exam-style content with full explanations and wrong-answer analysis, never real exam questions or exam dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.