KCSA Kubernetes Cluster Component Security Practice Question
An administrator wants to verify that etcd database defragmentation is performed periodically to reclaim storage space after large amounts of data churn. Which etcdctl command defragments an etcd member?
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
✓
etcdctl defrag
etcdctl defrag is the command used to defragment the etcd database file.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
kubectl etcd-clean
Why it's wrong here
Kubectl does not have an etcd-clean command.
- ✓
etcdctl defrag
Why this is correct
etcdctl defrag reclaims storage space on the etcd member.
- ✗
etcdctl compact
Why it's wrong here
Compaction removes historical revisions up to a given revision, but defragmentation is needed to reclaim physical disk space.
- ✗
etcdctl cleanup storage
Why it's wrong here
This is not a valid etcdctl command.
About these practice questions
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed August 2026 · checked against the official CNCF / Linux Foundation exam blueprint
This KCSA practice question is part of Courseiva's free CNCF / Linux Foundation 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 KCSA exam.