Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD) Practice Test

What type of node is primarily responsible for managing a cluster?

1. Worker node

2. Master node

3. Database node

4. Virtual node

The correct answer is: Master node

The master node is a crucial component of a Kubernetes cluster because it is responsible for managing the overall state and health of the cluster. It orchestrates various tasks, such as scheduling pods on worker nodes, maintaining the desired state of applications, and managing communication between the cluster components. The master node’s responsibilities include running the API server, which serves as the entry point for all the commands used to manage the cluster, as well as etcd for storing the cluster state, and controllers that monitor and adjust the state of the system. In contrast, worker nodes are primarily tasked with running the applications and services deployed in the cluster, but they rely on the master node for orchestration and management. Database nodes are not a common term in the context of Kubernetes architecture; databases can be deployed on either worker nodes or in specific database services, but they do not define a node type. Virtual nodes, while a term used in some contexts, are not a standard Kubernetes node type, so they do not play a significant role in the management of a cluster either. This distinction emphasizes the master node's essential role in ensuring that the cluster is running efficiently and according to the specifications set by users.