Top 50 Kubernetes Interview Questions and Answers 2025

Deploy webapp into k8s by creating a deployment YAML file and applying it using kubectl command.

• Create a Docker image of the webapp

• Create a deployment YAML file with necessary specifications like image, replicas, ports, etc.

• Apply the deployment YAML file using kubectl apply command

• Expose the deployment using a service YAML file with necessary specifications like type, ports, etc.

• Apply the service YAML file using kubectl apply command

Kubernetes is an orchestration tool while Docker is a containerization platform.

• Docker is used to create and manage containers while Kubernetes is used to manage containerized applications.

• Kubernetes provides features like load balancing, scaling, and self-healing while Docker does not.

• Docker is used to package an application and its dependencies into a container while Kubernetes is used to manage and deploy those containers.

• Kubernetes can manage multiple Docker containers ac...read more

Kubernetes is an open-source container orchestration platform for automating deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications.

• Kubernetes follows a master-slave architecture with a master node controlling multiple worker nodes.

• Master node components include API server, scheduler, controller manager, and etcd.

• Worker node components include kubelet, kube-proxy, and container runtime (e.g. Docker).

• Kubernetes uses Pods as the smallest deployable units, which can c...read more

Control plane components in Kubernetes manage the cluster and make decisions about the state of the cluster.

• Control Manager: Ensures that the desired state of the cluster matches the actual state.

• Scheduler: Assigns workloads to nodes based on resource availability and constraints.

• API Server: Acts as the front-end for the Kubernetes control plane and is the primary interface for users and other components.

• etcd: Consistent and highly-available key-value store used as Kubernetes...read more

Steps to deploy an application to Kubernetes

• Create a Kubernetes deployment file with specifications for the application

• Apply the deployment file using kubectl apply command

• Monitor the deployment using kubectl get pods command

• Expose the application using a Kubernetes service

• Scale the application by adjusting the replica count in the deployment file

Kubernetes offers more advanced orchestration capabilities compared to Docker.

• Kubernetes provides automated scaling, load balancing, and self-healing for containers.

• Kubernetes allows for easier management of complex containerized applications across multiple nodes.

• Kubernetes supports rolling updates and rollbacks for seamless deployment processes.

• Kubernetes has a larger ecosystem of tools and plugins for extended functionality.

• Docker is primarily focused on packaging and runn...read more

Docker is a platform for developing, shipping, and running applications in containers. Kubernetes is an open-source system for automating deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications.

• Docker allows developers to package applications and their dependencies into a container that can run on any system.

• Kubernetes helps in managing multiple containers across a cluster of servers, providing features like scaling, load balancing, and self-healing.

• Docker is used f...read more

Kubernetes cluster management involves deploying, scaling, and managing containerized applications.

• Automates deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications

• Provides self-healing capabilities for applications

• Supports rolling updates for seamless application upgrades

• Allows for efficient resource utilization through scheduling and load balancing

• Facilitates monitoring and logging of applications for better visibility

Kubernetes is an open-source container orchestration platform that automates the deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications.

• Kubernetes is required to manage and scale containerized applications efficiently.

• It provides features like automatic scaling, self-healing, load balancing, and rolling updates.

• Kubernetes uses a declarative approach to define the desired state of the application and ensures that the current state matches the desired state.

• Docker Sw...read more

I have extensive experience with Kubernetes and Openshift in managing containerized applications and orchestrating deployments.

• Managed Kubernetes clusters for deploying and scaling microservices

• Implemented CI/CD pipelines using Jenkins and GitLab for automated deployments on Openshift

• Utilized Helm charts for packaging and deploying applications on Kubernetes

• Configured monitoring and logging tools like Prometheus and ELK stack for observability

I am highly fluent in AWS and Kubernetes, with extensive experience in designing, implementing, and managing cloud infrastructure.

• Extensive experience in designing and implementing AWS solutions such as EC2, S3, RDS, Lambda, and VPC

• Proficient in managing Kubernetes clusters, deploying applications, and scaling resources

• Hands-on experience with infrastructure as code tools like Terraform and CloudFormation

• Strong understanding of networking, security, and monitoring best practi...read more

To monitor k8s Prod instance, use monitoring tools like Prometheus, Grafana, and Kubernetes Dashboard.

• Use Prometheus to collect metrics from Kubernetes API server and nodes

• Visualize the collected data using Grafana dashboards

• Use Kubernetes Dashboard to monitor the health of the cluster and its resources

• Set up alerts to notify when certain thresholds are reached

• Monitor logs using tools like Fluentd or Elasticsearch

• Perform regular health checks and audits to ensure the cluster ...read more

Troubleshooting Kubernetes issues involves identifying the root cause, checking logs, examining configurations, and using monitoring tools.

• Identify the specific issue by checking logs and error messages.

• Examine the Kubernetes configurations to ensure they are set up correctly.

• Use monitoring tools like Prometheus or Grafana to track performance metrics.

• Check the status of pods, nodes, and deployments to pinpoint any issues.

• Utilize kubectl commands to gather information and int...read more

Common errors encountered in Kubernetes

• Pod errors (CrashLoopBackOff, ImagePullBackOff)

• Node errors (NodeNotReady, NodeOutOfDisk)

• Service errors (ServiceUnavailable, EndpointsNotFound)

• PersistentVolume errors (VolumeNotFound, VolumeInUse)

• Network errors (NetworkPluginNotReady, DNSResolutionFailed)

Jenkins is a continuous integration tool used for automating software development processes, while Kubernetes is a container orchestration platform for managing containerized applications.

• Jenkins is used for automating the building, testing, and deployment of software projects.

• Kubernetes helps in automating the deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications.

• Jenkins can be integrated with Kubernetes to automate the deployment of applications in containers.

• Bo...read more

Services in Kubernetes are a way to expose a set of pods as a network service.

• Services provide a stable IP address and DNS name for pods.

• They can load balance traffic across multiple pods.

• There are four types of services: ClusterIP, NodePort, LoadBalancer, and ExternalName.

• ClusterIP is the default type and provides a virtual IP address for pods within the cluster.

• NodePort exposes the service on a port on each node in the cluster.

• LoadBalancer creates an external load balancer ...read more

Load balancing in Kubernetes is achieved using a service called Kubernetes Service.

• Create a Kubernetes Service object with a type of 'LoadBalancer'

• The Service will automatically create an external load balancer that will distribute traffic to the pods in the service

• The load balancer will route traffic based on the service's selector

Capacity planning for a Kubernetes cluster involves analyzing resource usage, predicting future needs, and scaling infrastructure accordingly.

• Monitor resource usage of pods and nodes using tools like Prometheus and Grafana

• Analyze historical data to identify trends and patterns in resource consumption

• Estimate future resource requirements based on application growth and workload changes

• Scale the cluster by adding or removing nodes, adjusting resource limits, or using auto-scali...read more

It depends on the specific use case and requirements of the project.

• Consider the complexity and scale of the project - Kubernetes is better suited for large, complex applications with multiple services, while Lambda is more suitable for smaller, event-driven applications.

• Evaluate the cost implications - Lambda can be more cost-effective for low-traffic applications due to its pay-per-use pricing model, while Kubernetes may be more cost-effective for high-traffic applications ...read more

Deployment strategies in Kubernetes help manage the rollout of new versions of applications.

• Use Rolling Update strategy to gradually replace old Pods with new ones

• Use Blue-Green Deployment strategy to switch traffic between two identical environments

• Use Canary Deployment strategy to release new versions to a subset of users for testing

• Use A/B Testing strategy to release multiple versions simultaneously and compare performance

Kubelet is the primary node agent that runs on each node in a Kubernetes cluster.

• Kubelet is responsible for managing the pods on the node, ensuring they are running and healthy.

• It communicates with the Kubernetes API server to receive instructions and report the status of the node.

• Kubelet also monitors the health of the node and takes actions if necessary, such as restarting pods.

• It interacts with container runtimes like Docker to manage the containers within the pods.

A pod in K8s is the smallest deployable unit in Kubernetes, consisting of one or more containers that share resources.

• Pods are used to group containers that need to work together, such as a web server and a database.

• Pods share the same network namespace and can communicate with each other using localhost.

• Pods can be managed, scaled, and monitored as a single unit in Kubernetes.

• Each pod has a unique IP address within the Kubernetes cluster.

Images that can be deployed in Kubernetes must be containerized and have a corresponding Kubernetes deployment configuration.

• Images must be containerized using Docker or another containerization tool.

• A Kubernetes deployment configuration file must be created to define how the image should be deployed.

• The image must be stored in a container registry that Kubernetes can access, such as Docker Hub or a private registry.

• The image should be tested locally before deployment to ensu...read more

Pods may get restarted automatically due to various reasons such as resource constraints, failures, or updates.

• Resource constraints like memory or CPU limits being exceeded can trigger a pod restart.

• Pods may be restarted if they fail health checks defined in the readiness or liveness probes.

• Updating the pod's image or configuration can also lead to automatic restarts.

A Kubernetes manifest defines the desired state of a cluster

• Use YAML syntax to define resources like pods, services, deployments, etc.

• Include metadata like name, labels, and annotations

• Specify the desired state of the resource, such as replicas, image, ports, etc.

Design algorithm for VPA in Kubernetes

• Implement a controller that monitors resource usage and adjusts the number of replicas based on demand

• Utilize Kubernetes Horizontal Pod Autoscaler (HPA) to automatically scale the number of pods in a deployment

• Consider using custom metrics for scaling decisions, such as CPU utilization or custom metrics provided by applications

Kubernetes is a container orchestration platform that automates deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications.

• Automated deployment and scaling of containerized applications

• Load balancing and service discovery

• Self-healing and auto-restart of failed containers

• Rolling updates and rollbacks

• Storage orchestration

• Secret and configuration management

• Horizontal scaling

• Multi-cloud and hybrid cloud support

Use kubectl command to check the status of a pending k8s pod.

• Use 'kubectl get pods' command to list all pods and their statuses

• Look for the pod in 'Pending' state

• Check the reason for pending state using 'kubectl describe pod '

Factors to consider before deploying services to Kubernetes

• Resource requirements of the services

• Networking considerations

• Security measures

• Monitoring and logging capabilities

• High availability and scalability needs

Implementing zero-downtime deployments in Kubernetes involves using rolling updates and readiness probes.

• Use rolling updates to gradually replace old pods with new ones

• Configure readiness probes to ensure new pods are ready before routing traffic to them

• Utilize tools like Helm for managing releases and versioning

Linux namespaces are used in Kubernetes to provide isolated environments for containers.

• Linux namespaces allow for creating isolated environments within a Linux system

• Kubernetes uses namespaces to provide isolation for containers

• Namespaces in Kubernetes include network, PID, mount, and IPC namespaces

• Example: Each pod in Kubernetes has its own network namespace for network isolation

Debugging kubernetes deployment involves identifying and resolving issues in the deployment process.

• Check the deployment logs for errors and warnings

• Verify the configuration files for correctness

• Use kubectl commands to inspect the deployment status

• Check the health of the pods and containers

• Use debugging tools like kubectl exec and logs to troubleshoot issues

Kafka can be integrated with Kubernetes for scalable and reliable event streaming.

• Use Kubernetes StatefulSets to deploy Kafka brokers for persistent storage.

• Utilize Kubernetes Services for load balancing and network communication.

• Implement Kafka Connect to integrate Kafka with external systems in Kubernetes.

• Leverage Kubernetes Operators for automated management of Kafka clusters.

Designing a Loadbalancer for Kubernetes involves using an Ingress Controller to route traffic to different services.

• Use an Ingress Controller to manage external access to services within a Kubernetes cluster

• Define Ingress resources to specify how incoming requests should be routed

• Consider using a cloud provider's load balancer service for external traffic

• Implement SSL termination and routing rules in the Ingress Controller configuration

Deploying an app in Kubernetes involves creating a deployment configuration, defining pods, services, and managing resources.

• Create a deployment configuration file specifying the app's image, ports, and replicas

• Define pods to run the app containers

• Create services to expose the app internally or externally

• Manage resources such as CPU and memory limits for optimal performance

Helm is a package manager for Kubernetes while Kubernetes is an open-source container orchestration platform.

• Helm is used to manage Kubernetes applications and their dependencies

• Helm charts are used to define, install, and upgrade Kubernetes applications

• Kubernetes is used to automate deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications

• Kubernetes uses declarative configuration to manage applications and their resources

Explanation of Kubernetes YAML file

• Kubernetes YAML files are used to define and deploy applications on a Kubernetes cluster

• They contain information about the application's containers, volumes, services, and other resources

• YAML files can be used to create, update, or delete resources on the cluster

• They can also be used to define custom resource definitions (CRDs) for custom resources

• YAML files can be validated using the 'kubectl apply' command with the '--dry-run' flag

I use Docker for containerization and Kubernetes for orchestration in my project.

• I use Docker to create lightweight, portable containers for my applications.

• I use Kubernetes to automate deployment, scaling, and management of these containers.

• I define my application's infrastructure and dependencies in Dockerfiles and Kubernetes manifests.

• I use Kubernetes features like pods, services, and deployments to ensure high availability and scalability.

Docker is a containerization platform that allows applications to run in isolated environments.

• Docker is an open-source platform that automates the deployment, scaling, and management of applications using containerization.

• It allows developers to package an application and its dependencies into a container, which can then be run on any system that has Docker installed.

• Docker containers are lightweight, portable, and provide consistent environments for applications to run.

• Dock...read more

Kubernetes architecture is a system for automating deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications.

• Kubernetes follows a master-slave architecture with a master node and multiple worker nodes.

• The master node controls the cluster and schedules workloads, while worker nodes run the actual containers.

• Components of the architecture include etcd for storing cluster data, API server for communication, scheduler for workload distribution, and controller manager for ...read more

NodePort type service exposes a service on a specific port on all nodes in the cluster.

• NodePort type service allows external traffic to access a service in a Kubernetes cluster

• It assigns a static port on each node, which forwards traffic to the service

• It is commonly used for accessing applications externally in a development environment

Deployment is a way to manage and update applications in Kubernetes. StatefulSet is used for stateful applications with unique identities.

• Deployment is used for stateless applications, while StatefulSet is used for stateful applications.

• Deployment manages replica sets and ensures a desired state is maintained.

• StatefulSet maintains a unique identity for each pod, making it suitable for applications that require stable and unique network identifiers or persistent storage.

• Statef...read more

Deploying applications on Kubernetes involves creating Docker containers, defining deployment configurations, and managing resources.

• Create Docker containers for the application

• Define deployment configurations using YAML files

• Use Kubernetes resources like Pods, Services, Deployments, and ConfigMaps

• Manage resources efficiently to ensure scalability and reliability

• Monitor application performance and health using tools like Prometheus and Grafana

K8s is a container orchestration tool while Docker Swarm is a clustering and scheduling tool for Docker containers.

• K8s is more widely used and has a larger community support compared to Docker Swarm.

• K8s supports more advanced features like auto-scaling, self-healing, and rolling updates.

• Docker Swarm is easier to set up and manage for smaller scale deployments.

• K8s uses declarative configuration while Docker Swarm uses imperative configuration.

• K8s has a more complex architectur...read more

To ensure Kubernetes cluster is up and running, monitoring tools, automated alerts, and regular health checks are essential.

• Set up monitoring tools like Prometheus and Grafana to track cluster health and performance metrics

• Implement automated alerts to notify of any issues or failures in the cluster

• Perform regular health checks using tools like kubectl commands or Kubernetes dashboard

• Utilize Kubernetes self-healing capabilities to automatically restart failed pods or nodes

Kubernetes was chosen due to its superior orchestration capabilities and larger community support.

• Kubernetes has better load balancing and scaling features

• Kubernetes has a larger community and more resources available

• Docker Swarm is simpler and easier to use for smaller projects

• Kubernetes is more suitable for complex, large-scale applications

OpenShift is a container platform by Red Hat, while Kubernetes is an open-source container orchestration tool.

• OpenShift is a commercial product by Red Hat that builds on top of Kubernetes for added features and support.

• Kubernetes is an open-source container orchestration tool developed by Google.

• Both OpenShift and Kubernetes are used for managing containerized applications in a clustered environment.

• Kubernetes helps in automating the deployment, scaling, and management of con...read more

Kubernetes can be implemented on AWS using Elastic Kubernetes Service (EKS) or self-managed Kubernetes clusters.

• EKS is a managed Kubernetes service provided by AWS

• Self-managed Kubernetes clusters can be set up using EC2 instances and other AWS services like Elastic Load Balancing, Elastic Block Store, etc.

• AWS provides tools like kops and eksctl to simplify the deployment and management of Kubernetes clusters on AWS

I use Kubernetes to manage containerized applications, automate deployment, scaling, and operations.

• Utilize Kubernetes to orchestrate and manage containers for seamless deployment and scaling

• Leverage Kubernetes for automated rollouts and rollbacks of applications

• Implement Kubernetes for load balancing and service discovery

• Use Kubernetes for monitoring and logging of containerized applications

Docker is a containerization platform for packaging applications, while Kubernetes is a container orchestration tool for managing containerized applications.

• Docker is used to create, deploy, and run applications in containers.

• Kubernetes automates the deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications.

• Docker focuses on packaging applications and their dependencies into containers.

• Kubernetes focuses on orchestrating multiple containers to work together as a singl...read more

Kubernetes (k8s) architecture is designed to be highly scalable, flexible, and resilient.

• Kubernetes follows a master-slave architecture, with a master node managing the cluster and worker nodes running applications.

• The master node consists of components like API server, scheduler, controller manager, and etcd for storing cluster data.

• Worker nodes have components like kubelet, kube-proxy, and container runtime (e.g. Docker) to run and manage containers.

• Kubernetes architecture ...read more

Ingress controller is a Kubernetes resource that manages external access to services within a cluster.

• Ingress controller acts as a traffic manager, routing incoming traffic to the appropriate services based on rules defined in the Ingress resource.

• It allows for the configuration of HTTP and HTTPS routing, load balancing, SSL termination, and more.

• Popular Ingress controllers include Nginx Ingress Controller, Traefik, and HAProxy.

• Ingress controllers can be used to expose multip...read more

K8's Deployment refers to the deployment of applications on Kubernetes clusters.

• Kubernetes (K8s) is an open-source container orchestration platform used for automating deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications.

• K8s Deployment involves defining the desired state of the application, creating deployment configurations, and managing the deployment process.

• Deployment resources in K8s include Pods, ReplicaSets, Deployments, and Services.

• K8s Deployment allows ...read more

AWS is a cloud computing platform and Kubernetes is an open-source container orchestration platform. They can be integrated to deploy and manage containerized applications.

• AWS provides infrastructure and services for hosting applications

• Kubernetes automates the deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications

• AWS Elastic Kubernetes Service (EKS) is a managed Kubernetes service provided by AWS

• By using AWS with Kubernetes, you can leverage the scalability and fl...read more

A Kubernetes service is an abstraction that defines a logical set of Pods and a policy by which to access them.

• Services allow communication between different parts of an application or between different applications.

• Services can be exposed internally within the cluster or externally to the internet.

• Types of services include ClusterIP, NodePort, LoadBalancer, and ExternalName.

• Services can be created using YAML manifests or through the Kubernetes API.

Yes, I have experience working with Docker and Kubernetes.

• I have used Docker to containerize applications for easier deployment and scaling.

• I have experience with Kubernetes for managing containerized applications in a clustered environment.

• I have set up Kubernetes clusters, managed deployments, services, and pods.

• I have worked on configuring networking, storage, and monitoring in Kubernetes.

• I have experience with Helm charts for packaging Kubernetes applications.

Kubernetes architecture is a container orchestration platform that manages containerized applications across a cluster of nodes.

• Kubernetes follows a master-slave architecture with a master node and multiple worker nodes.

• Master node components include API server, scheduler, controller manager, and etcd.

• Worker node components include kubelet, kube-proxy, and container runtime (e.g. Docker).

• Pods are the smallest deployable units in Kubernetes, consisting of one or more container...read more

HTTP health checkup in K8s is a way to monitor the health of applications running in Kubernetes clusters.

• HTTP health check is a method to periodically check the health of an application by sending HTTP requests to a specified endpoint.

• In Kubernetes, you can define HTTP health checks in the pod's configuration using readiness and liveness probes.

• Readiness probes are used to determine when a pod is ready to serve traffic, while liveness probes are used to determine if a pod is ...read more

Kubernetes is a container orchestration tool, while Docker is a containerization platform.

• Kubernetes is used for automating deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications.

• Docker is a platform for developing, shipping, and running applications in containers.

• Kubernetes can manage multiple containers across multiple hosts, while Docker is used to create and run containers.

• Kubernetes provides features like load balancing, self-healing, and automated rollouts an...read more

Docker is a platform for developing, shipping, and running applications in containers. Kubernetes is a container orchestration tool for managing containerized applications across a cluster of nodes.

• Docker allows developers to package applications and dependencies into containers for easy deployment.

• Kubernetes automates the deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications.

• Docker containers are lightweight, portable, and isolated environments that can run on an...read more

Kubernetes architecture is a container orchestration platform that manages containerized applications across a cluster of nodes.

• Kubernetes follows a master-slave architecture with a master node and multiple worker nodes.

• Master node components include API server, scheduler, controller manager, and etcd.

• Worker node components include kubelet, kube-proxy, and container runtime (e.g. Docker).

• Nodes communicate with each other through the API server.

• Kubernetes uses labels and selec...read more

Networking on Kubernetes involves creating services to allow communication between frontend and backend applications.

• Kubernetes uses Services to abstract networking, allowing frontend to backend communication

• Services can be of type ClusterIP, NodePort, LoadBalancer, or ExternalName

• Pods are grouped into Services based on labels and selectors

• Communication between frontend and backend applications is done through Service endpoints

Kubernetes and Docker are popular tools for containerization and orchestration of applications.

• Kubernetes is a container orchestration platform that automates the deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications.

• Docker is a containerization platform that allows developers to package applications and their dependencies into a standardized unit for software development.

• Use cases for Kubernetes and Docker include microservices architecture, continuous integratio...read more

Docker is a platform for developing, shipping, and running applications in containers. k8s is a container orchestration tool.

• Docker allows developers to package their applications and dependencies into a container, which can be easily deployed on any platform.

• k8s (Kubernetes) is a tool for managing and orchestrating containers at scale, providing features like automatic scaling, load balancing, and self-healing.

• Docker and k8s are often used together to create a complete conta...read more

Docker is used to create container images that can be run as pods in Kubernetes.

• Docker is used to create lightweight, portable container images that contain all the dependencies needed to run an application.

• Kubernetes (k8s) is a container orchestration platform that manages the deployment, scaling, and operation of containerized applications.

• By creating Docker images, developers can package their applications and dependencies into a single unit that can be easily deployed and...read more

Docker is a containerization platform for packaging applications, while Kubernetes is a container orchestration tool for managing containerized applications.

• Docker is used for creating, deploying, and running applications in containers.

• Kubernetes is used for automating the deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications.

• Docker is more focused on packaging and distributing applications, while Kubernetes is focused on managing and orchestrating containerized a...read more