- A
Cluster Autoscaler
Cluster Autoscaler adds or removes nodes as needed when pods are pending.
- B
Vertical Pod Autoscaler (VPA)
Why wrong: VPA adjusts pod resource requests/limits but does not scale pod count or nodes.
- C
Horizontal Pod Autoscaler (HPA)
HPA automatically scales the number of pods based on load.
- D
Node Auto-Repair
Why wrong: Node Auto-Repair automatically repairs unhealthy nodes, but does not scale.
- E
Pod Disruption Budget (PDB)
Why wrong: PDB ensures a minimum number of pods are available during voluntary disruptions, but does not scale.
Question 934 of 1,000
Google PCA Horizontal Pod Autoscaler (HPA) Practice Question
This PCA practice question tests your understanding of managing and provisioning a solution infrastructure. 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. A key principle to apply: horizontal Pod Autoscaler (HPA). 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.
A company runs a web application on Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE) that experiences sudden spikes in traffic. They need to automatically scale the number of pods and also ensure that the cluster itself can scale by adding new nodes when needed. Which THREE components should they configure to achieve this?
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
✓
Cluster Autoscaler
The question asks for three components, but only two of the listed options—Cluster Autoscaler and Horizontal Pod Autoscaler—are required to achieve both pod-level and node-level scaling. Vertical Pod Autoscaler adjusts resource requests but does not scale pods or nodes. Node Auto-Repair handles node health, not scaling. Pod Disruption Budget protects pods during maintenance. Therefore, only options A and C are correct. The third component is not present among the choices.
Key principle: Horizontal Pod Autoscaler (HPA)
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Cluster Autoscaler
Why this is correct
Cluster Autoscaler adds or removes nodes as needed when pods are pending.
Related concept
Horizontal Pod Autoscaler (HPA)
- ✗
Vertical Pod Autoscaler (VPA)
Why it's wrong here
VPA adjusts pod resource requests/limits but does not scale pod count or nodes.
- ✓
Horizontal Pod Autoscaler (HPA)
Why this is correct
HPA automatically scales the number of pods based on load.
Related concept
Horizontal Pod Autoscaler (HPA)
- ✗
Node Auto-Repair
Why it's wrong here
Node Auto-Repair automatically repairs unhealthy nodes, but does not scale.
- ✗
Pod Disruption Budget (PDB)
Why it's wrong here
PDB ensures a minimum number of pods are available during voluntary disruptions, but does not scale.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The question explicitly asks for THREE, but only two options are correct. Do not select a third incorrect option just to fill the count.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Treat this as a scenario question. Identify the problem, the constraint, and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Horizontal Pod Autoscaler (HPA)
- Cluster Autoscaler
- Pod scaling
- Node scaling
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Horizontal Pod Autoscaler (HPA)
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
An e-commerce site experiences heavy traffic on Black Friday and near-zero traffic during off-peak weeks. Rather than provisioning permanent large VMs, the team uses auto-scaling groups that add capacity automatically under load and reduce it overnight. Questions like this test whether you understand elasticity, availability zones, and cloud compute scaling patterns.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review horizontal Pod Autoscaler (HPA), then practise related PCA questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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Managing and Provisioning a Solution Infrastructure — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCA question test?
Managing and Provisioning a Solution Infrastructure — This question tests Managing and Provisioning a Solution Infrastructure — Horizontal Pod Autoscaler (HPA).
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Cluster Autoscaler — The question asks for three components, but only two of the listed options—Cluster Autoscaler and Horizontal Pod Autoscaler—are required to achieve both pod-level and node-level scaling. Vertical Pod Autoscaler adjusts resource requests but does not scale pods or nodes. Node Auto-Repair handles node health, not scaling. Pod Disruption Budget protects pods during maintenance. Therefore, only options A and C are correct. The third component is not present among the choices.
What should I do if I get this PCA question wrong?
Review horizontal Pod Autoscaler (HPA), then practise related PCA questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Horizontal Pod Autoscaler (HPA)
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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