☸️ Kubernetes CKA / CKAD Notes

Personal Kubernetes study notes covering both the CKA (Certified Kubernetes Administrator) and CKAD (Certified Kubernetes Application Developer) exams - architecture, cluster installation/upgrade/backup, workloads, networking, storage, security, autoscaling, troubleshooting, and day-to-day kubectl workflows.

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📑 Table of Contents

• Start Here
• Contents
• CKA / CKAD Exam Tips & Hints
• Coverage
• CKA / CKAD Study Resources

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🚀 Start Here

Resource	Description
Kubernetes.md	Main notes - start here
attachment/	Diagrams and screenshots

Fastest route: search for CKA / CKAD hints inside Kubernetes.md.

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📂 Contents

• Tools - kubectl, kustomize, kind, minikube, kubeadm, Cluster API, kops, kubespray, MicroK8s, K3S
• Main Components - Control Plane · Working Nodes · Network Communication · Addons · Component Communication Examples
• Cluster Administration (CKA)
  • Cluster Installation (kubeadm) · Cluster Upgrade · ETCD Backup & Restore
• KubeConfig
• Resources & Workloads
  • Namespace · Pods / Containers · ReplicaSet
  • Deployment · StatefulSet · DaemonSet
  • Job · CronJob
• Platform Topics
  • Networking - Service, Ingress, Gateway API, NetworkPolicy, EndpointSlices, Network Tools
  • ConfigMap · Secret · ServiceAccount
  • AAA Security - Authentication, Authorization, Admission Control
  • Monitoring
  • Volumes - PV/PVC lifecycle, StorageClass, CSI
  • Extensions · CRDs · Helm · Kustomize · Service Mesh
  • Scaling - HPA, VPA

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🛠 CKA / CKAD Exam Tips & Hints

In Kubernetes.md, CKA / CKAD hints are short callout blocks placed next to exam-heavy topics and serve as a brief memorization for quicker access to the required resources under exam pressure.

Each hint typically provides:

• A link to the relevant Kubernetes docs page
• kubectl <subcommand> -h - fastest lookup under time pressure
• kubectl explain <resource> - field-level detail
• Search patterns - keywords to find fields in manifests or docs

Exam Speed Flow

CKA / CKAD hints  →  kubectl -h  →  kubectl explain  →  kubernetes.io docs

⚠️ Some resources (e.g. PV, PVC) still require a manifest template from the official docs - they cannot be generated imperatively.

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📋 Coverage

• Kubernetes architecture and component communication
• Cluster installation (kubeadm), upgrade, and ETCD backup/restore (CKA)
• Workloads and rollout strategies
• Networking - Service, Ingress, Gateway API, NetworkPolicy, EndpointSlices
• ConfigMap, Secret, ServiceAccount, RBAC, Admission controls
• Volumes, PV/PVC lifecycle, StorageClass, CSI
• Extensions - CRDs, Helm, Kustomize, Service Mesh
• Autoscaling - HPA and VPA

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📚 CKA / CKAD Study Resources

1. Kubernetes Docs (Primary source of truth)

   • Navigate Concepts and Tasks quickly.

2. Udemy

   • CKA · CKAD with Practice Tests by Mumshad Mannambeth, KodeKloud, Vijin Palazhi
   • Structured video lessons + hands-on labs, lightning labs, and mock exams via KodeKloud.
   • CKA Notes on GitHub

3. KodeKloud - Ultimate Mock Exam Series

   • CKA · CKAD
   • High-quality mock labs.

4. KillerCoda Scenarios

   • CKA · CKAD
   • Browser-based interactive scenarios.

5. KillerShell

   • Real exam environment simulator; great for timing and muscle-memory training.

6. PluralSight CKAD Path

   • Additional learning path.

7. Exam experience & tips:

   • My two cents on passing CKAD in 2022
   • Passing CKAD - Cheatsheet, Notes & Tips

8. Ivan Velichko's iximiuz Lab

   • Container internals explained with surgical precision.