Certified Kubernetes Administrator

Course description

Course Outline

1. Kubernetes Fundamentals

• Introduction to Kubernetes
• Kubernetes architecture
• Key concepts: Pods, Nodes, Clusters
• Kubernetes API and kubectl commands

2. Installation, Configuration, and Validation

• Installing Kubernetes using kubeadm, kops, or other tools
• Configuring Kubernetes components (API server, etcd, scheduler, controller manager)
• Setting up networking for a Kubernetes cluster
• Validating the cluster setup

3. Core Concepts

• Understanding namespaces
• Managing resources: pods, deployments, and services
• Labels, selectors, and annotations
• Taints and tolerations, node selectors, and affinities

4. Workloads and Scheduling

• Deploying and managing applications on Kubernetes
• Replication controllers, replica sets, and deployments
• Jobs and CronJobs for batch processing
• StatefulSets and DaemonSets
• Configuring pod scheduling and affinity/anti-affinity rules

5. Services and Networking

• Understanding Kubernetes services: ClusterIP, NodePort, LoadBalancer
• Ingress controllers and ingress resources
• Configuring DNS and service discovery
• Network policies for security and traffic control
• Overlay networking and CNI plugins

6. Storage

• Kubernetes storage architecture
• Persistent Volumes (PVs) and Persistent Volume Claims (PVCs)
• Storage classes and dynamic provisioning
• Configuring and using different storage solutions (NFS, GlusterFS, Ceph)

7. Security

• Kubernetes security model and best practices
• Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
• Network policies and pod security policies
• Securing Kubernetes API and components
• Secrets and ConfigMaps management

8. Maintenance and Troubleshooting

• Managing Kubernetes upgrades
• Backing up and restoring Kubernetes clusters
• Monitoring cluster components and logging
• Troubleshooting application failures and cluster issues
• Using kubectl debug and other troubleshooting tools

9. Logging and Monitoring

• Setting up logging solutions (EFK stack: Elasticsearch, Fluentd, Kibana)
• Monitoring Kubernetes clusters with Prometheus and Grafana
• Application performance monitoring

10. Advanced Topics

• Custom Resource Definitions (CRDs) and Operators
• Kubernetes Federation for multi-cluster management
• Helm package manager and Helm charts
• Autoscaling applications and clusters (Horizontal Pod Autoscaler, Cluster Autoscaler)

11. Exam Preparation

• Review of key concepts and tasks
• Hands-on labs and practice exams
• Tips for managing time and resources during the exam

12. Hands-On Labs and Exercises

• Practical exercises to reinforce learning
• Real-world scenarios and problem-solving
• Comprehensive labs covering end-to-end Kubernetes administration

Course Outcomes

Upon completing the CKA training, candidates will have developed a robust understanding of Kubernetes architecture and operations. They will be proficient in setting up and managing Kubernetes clusters, deploying and scaling applications, implementing secure networking and storage solutions, and maintaining cluster health through monitoring and troubleshooting. This certification validates their expertise, enhances their professional credibility, and opens up advanced career opportunities in DevOps and cloud-native environments.

Skill Path

The Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) training provides a structured learning path that equips candidates with the essential skills required to effectively manage and operate Kubernetes clusters. The training covers fundamental to advanced concepts, including cluster installation and configuration, workload management, networking, storage solutions, security best practices, and troubleshooting techniques. This comprehensive skill path ensures that candidates gain hands-on experience and a deep understanding of Kubernetes, preparing them for both the CKA certification exam and real-world challenges.