EX280 Cluster Installation And Management Practice Question
An administrator wants to apply kernel arguments to all worker nodes in an OpenShift 4.14 cluster using the Machine Config Operator. After creating a new MachineConfig object, the administrator notices that the worker nodes are not updating and the MachineConfigPool status shows 'Updating=False'. What is the most likely cause?
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
✓
The MachineConfig object lacks the correct labels required to associate it with the target MachineConfigPool.
The MachineConfig object must include valid labels matching the MachineConfigPool node selector (e.g., pools.operator.machineconfiguration.openshift.io/worker: '') so the Machine Config Operator knows which pool to target.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The administrator forgot to run 'oc adm upgrade --force' to trigger node reboots.
Why it's wrong here
Cluster upgrades are handled via CVO; MachineConfigs trigger automatic rolling node updates via the MCO.
- ✓
The MachineConfig object lacks the correct labels required to associate it with the target MachineConfigPool.
Why this is correct
MachineConfigs rely on labels to link themselves to specific MachineConfigPools; without them, the pool ignores the config.
- ✗
The Cluster Version Operator must be manually restarted to detect new MachineConfig definitions.
Why it's wrong here
The Machine Config Operator, not the CVO, processes MachineConfig objects.
- ✗
The cluster storage provider must be re-initialized to support kernel argument persistence.
Why it's wrong here
Kernel arguments are applied via Ignition configs on the nodes and do not depend on the cluster storage provider.
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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 Red Hat exam blueprint
This EX280 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Red Hat 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 EX280 exam.