Back to lesson: Install a Cluster with kubeadm
Free lab · CKA Prep Program · Module 2: Cluster architecture, installation and configuration
First cluster look
25 min hands-on · Core
Browser Kubernetes (Killercoda 1-node) or Play-with-Kubernetes; no local installs.
Two ways to do this lab: in your browser on Killercoda (free, no install), or on Play-with-Kubernetes as a free practice field. The Killercoda button opens in a new tab; this study page stays here. Killercoda runs one free scenario at a time: if you see a waiting queue, close other Killercoda tabs and wait a minute.
Objectives
- Read node status and version from a fresh cluster
- List control-plane pods and say what each one does
- Switch kubeconfig contexts without breaking the session
Step 1
Nodes and version
Run `kubectl get nodes -o wide` and `kubectl version`. Record the Kubernetes version and the node roles; exam content tracks quarterly releases, so version first, always.
Step 2
Control plane inventory
List pods in `kube-system` with `kubectl get pods -n kube-system`. For each of apiserver, etcd, scheduler and controller-manager, write one sentence on what breaks if it stops.
Step 3
Context safety
Show the current context with `kubectl config current-context`, list all contexts, then switch and switch back. Record the exact commands; wrong-context work scores zero.
How to confirm it worked
- Version, node roles and Ready state recorded
- Four control-plane components described in your own words
- Context switched away and back with recorded commands