Home » Top 50+ Kubernetes Interview Questions and Answers

Top 50+ Kubernetes Interview Questions and Answers

by hiristBlog
0 comment

Ready to crush your Kubernetes interview? If you are looking to land a job that involves Kubernetes – you need to be well-prepared for the questions that might come your way. In this blog, we’ll go through the top 50+ Kubernetes interview questions and provide simple, easy-to-understand answers. 

These will help you feel confident and ready for whatever comes up in your interview

Let’s jump in and get you prepared!

Fun Fact: Over 60% of companies are now using Kubernetes, and according to the CNCF annual survey, adoption has risen to 96%.

Kubernetes Basic Interview Questions 

Here are some basic interview questions on Kubernetes and their answers. 

  1. What is Kubernetes, and how does it help in container orchestration?

Kubernetes is an open-source platform for managing containers. It automates tasks like deploying, scaling, and managing containerised applications. It makes running apps in containers much easier and more efficient.

  1. Explain the difference between a Pod and a Node in Kubernetes.

A Pod is the smallest unit in Kubernetes. It can contain one or more containers that work together. A Node is a machine, either physical or virtual, that runs the Pods. Nodes are part of the Kubernetes cluster.

  1. What is the role of the kube-apiserver in Kubernetes?

The kube-apiserver acts as the communication hub. It processes requests from users, tools, and the cluster. It guarantees that the desired state of the cluster is maintained.

  1. How does Kubernetes keep applications available?

Kubernetes uses features like ReplicaSets and Deployments. These features make sure multiple copies of an app are running. If one fails, another takes its place.

  1. What are ConfigMaps in Kubernetes?

ConfigMaps store configuration data in key-value pairs. They help separate configuration from application code. This makes managing changes easier.

Kubernetes Interview Questions for Freshers 

Let’s take a look at some Kubernetes interview questions and answers for freshers. 

  1. What is a ReplicaSet, and why is it used?

A ReplicaSet guarantees a specific number of Pod replicas are running at all times. It automatically replaces a Pod if it crashes or is deleted.

  1. Explain the purpose of the kubectl command.

The kubectl command-line tool is used to interact with a Kubernetes cluster. You can use it to deploy apps, manage resources, and troubleshoot issues.

  1. What is the difference between a Deployment and a StatefulSet?

A Deployment is used for stateless applications. It focuses on scaling and rolling updates. A StatefulSet is used for stateful applications. It provides unique identities and stable storage for Pods.

  1. How do you scale a deployment in Kubernetes?

You can scale a deployment using the kubectl scale command. For example:

kubectl scale deployment <name> –replicas=5

  1. What is the purpose of namespaces in Kubernetes?

Namespaces are used to divide a cluster into smaller, virtual clusters. They help organise and manage resources for different teams or projects.

Kubernetes Interview Questions for Experienced 

These are some important Kubernetes interview questions and answers for experienced.

  1. What are taints and tolerations in Kubernetes?

Taints stop certain Pods from being scheduled on specific Nodes. Tolerations let Pods bypass these restrictions. They work together to control where Pods can or cannot run in the cluster.

  1. How does Kubernetes handle rolling updates and rollbacks?

Rolling updates gradually replace old Pods with new ones. This avoids downtime. If issues occur, you can use the rollback feature to revert to the previous version of your deployment.

  1. What is the difference between ClusterIP, NodePort, and LoadBalancer services?
See also  Top 25+ Computer Vision Interview Questions and Answers

ClusterIP exposes a service within the cluster. NodePort makes the service accessible on a Node’s IP and port. LoadBalancer provides external access by using a cloud provider’s load balancer.

  1. How would you troubleshoot a situation where a Pod is stuck in a “Pending” state?

This is one of the most important Kubernetes interview questions for 4 years experienced candidates. 

First, check if there are enough resources in the cluster. Use the kubectl describe pod command to view details. Look for errors in scheduling or resource requests. Make sure the Node has enough CPU and memory.

  1. How do you optimise Kubernetes cluster performance in a production environment?

You might also come across Kubernetes interview questions for 5 years experienced candidates like this one. 

You can optimise performance by using resource requests and limits. Avoid overprovisioning Nodes. Monitor metrics with tools like Prometheus and Grafana. Use horizontal or vertical Pod autoscalers when needed.

Kubernetes Advanced Interview Questions 

Here are some Kubernetes interview questions advanced and their answers. 

  1. How does Kubernetes handle secret management, and what are its limitations?

Kubernetes stores secrets as base64-encoded data. Secrets are attached to Pods as environment variables or files. However, base64 encoding is not encryption. It’s better to integrate tools like HashiCorp Vault for sensitive data.

  1. Explain the process of creating and using custom resources (CRDs) in Kubernetes.

Custom Resource Definitions (CRDs) allow you to define your own resource types. First, create a YAML file for the CRD. Apply it using kubectl apply. Once created, you can manage your custom resources just like built-in ones.

  1. What is Kubernetes Federation, and how does it work?

Federation allows you to manage multiple clusters as a single unit. You can deploy apps across regions for better reliability. Federation requires a host cluster to control member clusters.

  1. How would you set up and manage a multi-environment CI/CD pipeline using ArgoCD?

You might also come across ArgoCD interview questions like this one. 

You can create separate Git repositories for each environment. Use ArgoCD applications to link these repos to your clusters. Set up sync policies to automate deployments. Monitor progress through the ArgoCD dashboard.

Kubernetes Scenario Based Interview Questions 

Here are some Kubernetes scenario based interview questions and answers. 

  1. How would you handle a situation where multiple services in your cluster start failing simultaneously?

Start by checking cluster-wide issues. Look at Node health, resource limits, and logs. Use the kubectl describe command for Pods and Services. Check the status of the kube-apiserver and network plugins.

  1. What steps would you take to debug a Kubernetes cluster with unexpected resource exhaustion?

Use monitoring tools like Prometheus to check resource usage. Identify which Pods or Nodes are consuming the most. Review resource requests and limits in your workloads. Scale resources if needed.

  1. How do you implement a blue-green deployment strategy in Kubernetes?

Create two separate environments: blue and green. Deploy the new version (green) alongside the current one (blue). Once the green version is verified, switch traffic to it using a Service.

Note: It is important to master these Kubernetes interview questions and answers for experienced scenario based. 

Azure Kubernetes Interview Questions 

Here are some important Azure Kubernetes service interview questions and their answers.

  1. How does Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) manage cluster scaling?

AKS uses the Kubernetes Cluster Autoscaler. It automatically adds or removes nodes based on the workload. You can also manually scale deployments using the kubectl scale command or the Azure portal for more control.

  1. What is the role of Azure Container Registry (ACR) in AKS?

ACR is a private Docker registry for your containers. It stores and manages container images securely. AKS can pull these images directly from ACR for deploying applications in the cluster.

  1. What is the difference between Azure AKS-managed nodes and user-managed nodes, and when would you use each?
See also  Top 20 JMeter Interview Questions and Answers

You might also come across Azure AKS interview questions like this one. 

AKS-managed nodes are handled by Azure, including scaling and updates. User-managed nodes give you more control but require manual management. Use managed nodes for simplicity. Use user-managed nodes for custom setups.

Also Read - Top 75+ Windows Azure Interview Questions and Answers

Kubernetes Tough Interview Questions 

These are some Kubernetes tricky interview questions and their answers. 

  1. How does Kubernetes handle conflicts during the application of a new resource configuration?

Kubernetes uses a last-applied configuration approach. If two changes conflict, the latest applied change takes precedence.

  1. Explain the differences between Horizontal Pod Autoscaler (HPA) and Vertical Pod Autoscaler (VPA).

HPA adjusts the number of Pods based on metrics like CPU usage. VPA adjusts the resource requests and limits for a Pod. Both improve application performance, but they work differently.

  1. How do you manage security policies in a Kubernetes cluster for multi-tenant applications?

Use Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) to define permissions. Set up NetworkPolicies to restrict communication between tenants. Encrypt sensitive data with secrets and secure etcd.

  1. How do you create a custom Helm chart for deploying a microservices application?

You might also come across Helm Chart interview questions like this one. 

Run helm create <chart-name> to generate a Helm chart template. Update the values.yaml file with your app configurations. Define your services and deployments in the templates folder. Deploy it using helm install.

Kubernetes Interview Questions for DevOps Engineer 

Here are some important K8s interview questions for DevOps Engineer. 

  1. How do you set up and monitor a Kubernetes cluster using Prometheus and Grafana?

Install Prometheus and Grafana using Helm or manifests. Configure Prometheus to scrape Kubernetes metrics. Connect Grafana to Prometheus as a data source. Use dashboards to visualise cluster health.

  1. What is the role of CI/CD pipelines in Kubernetes-based application delivery?

CI/CD pipelines automate code integration, testing, and deployment. Tools like Jenkins or GitHub Actions can build container images. Kubernetes deploys these images through automated workflows.

Also Read - Top 25+ DevOps Interview Questions and Answers

Kubernetes Interview Questions for Java Developers 

These are K8 interview questions and answers for Java Developers. 

  1. How would you containerise a Spring Boot application and deploy it to a Kubernetes cluster?

Use a Dockerfile to build the container image. Push the image to a container registry. Create Kubernetes manifests for deployment and service. Apply them using kubectl apply.

  1. How can you manage environment-specific configurations for a Java application in Kubernetes?

Use ConfigMaps for non-sensitive data like API URLs. Use Secrets for sensitive data like passwords. Attach them to Pods as environment variables or mounted volumes.

Also Read - Top 100+ Spring Boot Interview Questions

Kubernetes Admin Interview Questions 

Let’s take a look at some Kubernetes administrator interview questions and answers. 

  1. How do you perform an upgrade of a Kubernetes cluster with zero downtime?

Upgrade control plane components first. Then upgrade worker nodes one at a time. Use a rolling update strategy to avoid downtime. Test workloads after each step.

  1. How do you create and apply a NetworkPolicy in Kubernetes to restrict traffic between Pods?

You might also come across CKA interview questions like this one. 

Write a YAML file defining the NetworkPolicy. Include rules for allowed traffic based on labels. Apply it using kubectl apply.

Kubernetes Troubleshooting Interview Questions 

  1. How would you debug a failed deployment in Kubernetes?

Check the status using kubectl get pods. Use kubectl describe pod to review events. Look at container logs with kubectl logs.

  1. What steps would you take if a Node becomes unschedulable in a Kubernetes cluster?
See also  Top 60+ Hibernate Interview Questions and Answers

Run kubectl get nodes to check status. Look for issues like taints, resource limits, or disk space. Fix the problem and uncordon the Node using kubectl uncordon.

Kubernetes Architecture Interview Questions 

  1. What are the main components of the Kubernetes control plane?

The control plane includes the kube-apiserver, etcd, kube-scheduler, and kube-controller-manager.

  1. How does the etcd database function in a Kubernetes cluster?

etcd is a key-value store. It keeps the cluster’s state, including configurations and resource details.

Kubernetes Networking Interview Questions 

  1. How does Kubernetes implement service discovery within a cluster?

Kubernetes uses DNS to allow Pods to find Services. Each Service gets a DNS name.

  1. What is the role of CNI plugins in Kubernetes networking?

CNI plugins manage network connectivity for Pods. They provide IP addresses and routing rules.

Kubernetes Real Time Interview Questions 

  1. How would you handle a production incident where a critical service is not reachable, but all Pods are running?

Check Service and Pod configurations. Verify network connectivity and DNS resolution. Use logs to identify issues.

  1. How would you handle a situation where Pods are stuck in the Pending state?

Check resource availability on nodes using kubectl describe nodes. Verify if there are taints or insufficient resources. Examine storage, network policies, and Pod affinity rules to identify what’s preventing scheduling.

  1. What steps would you take if a deployment keeps crashing after updates?

You might also come across Kubernetes real time scenarios like this one. 

Review logs with kubectl logs to find the error. Check the updated configuration and image version. Test locally to debug issues. Roll back to the last working version if necessary to stabilize the application.

Kubernetes Practical Interview Questions 

Here are some practical Kubernetes questions and their answers. 

  1. How do you manually scale a deployment in Kubernetes?

Use the kubectl scale command with the deployment name and desired replicas. For example: kubectl scale deployment my-app –replicas=5. This adjusts the number of Pods running for the deployment immediately.

  1. How can you update the configuration of a running Pod?

You cannot directly edit a running Pod. Update the configuration in the Deployment or ReplicaSet manifest file. Then apply the changes using kubectl apply. Kubernetes will terminate old Pods and create new ones with the updated configuration.

  1. How do you create a Kubernetes deployment with 3 replicas using the kubectl command?

The interviewer might also ask Kubernetes commands interview questions like this one. 

Run the following command:

kubectl create deployment <name> –image=<image-name> –replicas=3

Google Kubernetes Engine Interview Questions 

Let’s take a look at some GKE interview questions and their answers. 

  1. How do you enable and use workload identity in Google Kubernetes Engine?

Enable workload identity at the cluster level. Link a Kubernetes ServiceAccount to a Google IAM ServiceAccount. Update your Pods to use the Kubernetes ServiceAccount.

  1. What is the role of Google Cloud Load Balancer in GKE?

The load balancer distributes external traffic to your services running in GKE. It automatically adjusts based on traffic patterns. This helps handle varying loads and improves application availability.

  1. How do you create a Kubernetes cluster in Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE)?

You might also come across GCP Kubernetes interview questions like this one. 

Use the Google Cloud Console or the gcloud command-line tool. For example: gcloud container clusters create my-cluster –num-nodes=3. This creates a cluster with three nodes, ready for deploying workloads.

Also Read - Top 40+ Azure Cloud Interview Questions and Answers

AWS EKS Interview Questions 

  1. How do you configure IAM roles for service accounts in AWS EKS?

Create an IAM role with permissions. Associate it with a Kubernetes ServiceAccount. Use it in your Pods for AWS resource access.

  1. How do you set up and manage auto-scaling for worker nodes in AWS EKS?

Enable the Cluster Autoscaler. Use tags to identify auto-scalable Node Groups. Monitor scaling activity in the AWS Management Console.

Also Read - Top 100+ AWS Interview Questions and Answers

Wrapping Up

Kubernetes is a must-know for IT professionals today, especially in DevOps and cloud roles. Preparing well for Kubernetes interview questions can boost your confidence and chances of landing the job. Stay updated with real-world scenarios and hands-on practice. Looking for exciting Kubernetes job opportunities? Visit Hirist, the online job portal where you can find the best IT jobs in India, including Kubernetes roles!

You may also like

Latest Articles

Are you sure want to unlock this post?
Unlock left : 0
Are you sure want to cancel subscription?
-
00:00
00:00
    -
    00:00
    00:00