https://github.com/timothywarner-org/ps-cka
All learner resources for Tim Warner's Pluralsight skill path for the CNCF Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) certification
https://github.com/timothywarner-org/ps-cka
certified-kubernetes-administrator cka cloud-native cncf containers devops gateway-api helm kubeadm kubectl kubernetes kubernetes-certification kustomize pluralsight troubleshooting
Last synced: about 2 months ago
JSON representation
All learner resources for Tim Warner's Pluralsight skill path for the CNCF Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) certification
- Host: GitHub
- URL: https://github.com/timothywarner-org/ps-cka
- Owner: timothywarner-org
- License: mit
- Created: 2026-04-05T14:31:03.000Z (2 months ago)
- Default Branch: main
- Last Pushed: 2026-04-20T17:28:08.000Z (about 2 months ago)
- Last Synced: 2026-04-20T19:31:44.635Z (about 2 months ago)
- Topics: certified-kubernetes-administrator, cka, cloud-native, cncf, containers, devops, gateway-api, helm, kubeadm, kubectl, kubernetes, kubernetes-certification, kustomize, pluralsight, troubleshooting
- Language: PowerShell
- Homepage: https://pluralsight.com
- Size: 815 KB
- Stars: 1
- Watchers: 0
- Forks: 1
- Open Issues: 0
-
Metadata Files:
- Readme: README.md
- Changelog: CHANGELOG.md
- Contributing: CONTRIBUTING.md
- Funding: .github/FUNDING.yml
- License: LICENSE
- Code of conduct: CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md
- Security: SECURITY.md
Awesome Lists containing this project
README
# Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) Skill Path
[](https://www.pluralsight.com/authors/tim-warner)
[](https://github.com/timothywarner)
[](https://techtrainertim.com)
[](LICENSE)
[](https://kubernetes.io)
[](https://training.linuxfoundation.org/certification/certified-kubernetes-administrator-cka/)
Exercise files and lab resources for the **Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) v1.35 Skill Path** on [Pluralsight](https://www.pluralsight.com/authors/tim-warner).
Built from the ground up for the **February 2025 CKA curriculum revision** -- the largest update in CKA history -- covering Gateway API, Helm, Kustomize, CRDs/Operators, native sidecars, ephemeral containers, and expanded troubleshooting.
## Skill Path Overview
```mermaid
graph LR
C1[1. Foundations] --> C2[2. kubeadm Install]
C2 --> C3[3. Lifecycle & Upgrades]
C3 --> C4[4. RBAC & Admission]
C4 --> C5[5. Workloads & Scheduling]
C5 --> C6[6. Storage]
C6 --> C7[7. Services, Ingress & Gateway]
C7 --> C8[8. Network Policies]
C8 --> C9[9. Troubleshoot Clusters]
C9 --> C10[10. Troubleshoot Workloads]
C10 --> C11[11. Exam Prep]
```
| # | Course | CKA Domain | Est. Runtime |
|---|--------|-----------|--------------|
| 1 | Kubernetes Foundations | Cross-domain | 75 min |
| 2 | Installing Clusters with kubeadm | Architecture (25%) | 90 min |
| 3 | Managing Cluster Lifecycle and Upgrades | Architecture (25%) | 75 min |
| 4 | Securing Access with RBAC and Admission Controls | Architecture (25%) | 75 min |
| 5 | Managing Workloads and Scheduling | Workloads (15%) | 90 min |
| 6 | Managing Storage | Storage (10%) | 75 min |
| 7 | Services, Ingress, and Gateway API | Networking (20%) | 90 min |
| 8 | Network Policies and Traffic Management | Networking (20%) | 75 min |
| 9 | Troubleshooting Clusters and Nodes | Troubleshooting (30%) | 90 min |
| 10 | Troubleshooting Workloads and Services | Troubleshooting (30%) | 90 min |
| 11 | Exam Prep, Practice Labs, and Strategy | All domains | 75 min |
**Total runtime: ~15 hours** (10 core courses + 1 exam-prep capstone)
## CKA Exam Domain Weights
```mermaid
pie title CKA v1.35 Exam Domains
"Troubleshooting" : 30
"Cluster Architecture" : 25
"Services & Networking" : 20
"Workloads & Scheduling" : 15
"Storage" : 10
```
## Lab Environment -- Two Paths
The lab environment lives in [`src/cka-lab/`](src/cka-lab/) and gives you two ways to practice. Both target Kubernetes **v1.35** and live on the same Windows 11 host -- pick based on what the module is teaching.
### Fast path -- KIND on Docker (sub-30-second cluster)
Best for: most demos, kubectl reps, the diagnostic ladder, anything where you want a clean cluster *now*. PowerShell 7 interactive menus pick the topology, optionally start a tutorial, and tear down cleanly.
```powershell
cd src/cka-lab
.\kind-up.ps1 # menu: topology + optional tutorial
.\Start-Tutorial.ps1 # run a tutorial against a live cluster
.\kind-down.ps1 # menu: cluster only or full Docker shutdown
```
Walkthrough -> [`src/cka-lab/TUTORIAL-KIND.md`](src/cka-lab/TUTORIAL-KIND.md)
### Exam-shaped path -- Hyper-V VMs with kubeadm
Best for: Course 2, anything that needs real systemd, a real package manager, or node-level break/fix drills. Three Ubuntu 22.04 VMs (`control1`, `worker1`, `worker2`) on a dedicated `CKA-NAT` switch (`192.168.50.0/24`). Vagrant brings them up with all kubeadm v1.35 prereqs installed -- you run `kubeadm init` yourself. Native Hyper-V checkpoints give you the practice loop.
```powershell
cd src/cka-lab
vagrant up --provider=hyperv # admin pwsh required
.\cka-validate.ps1 # confirm prereqs
.\cka-snapshot.ps1 # save "pre-cluster" baseline
vagrant ssh control1 # bootstrap the cluster yourself
.\cka-restore.ps1 # nuke it, go again
```
Walkthrough -> [`src/cka-lab/TUTORIAL-HYPERV.md`](src/cka-lab/TUTORIAL-HYPERV.md)
### Prerequisites
- Windows 11 Pro/Enterprise (Hyper-V enabled) -- required for the exam-shaped path
- PowerShell 7+
- Docker Desktop 4.x with WSL2 -- for the fast path
- [kind](https://kind.sigs.k8s.io/) v0.25+, kubectl v1.35
- Vagrant -- for the exam-shaped path
## Repository Structure
```
exercise-files/
course-01-foundations/
m01-architecture-lab-setup/
m02-kubectl-workflows/
m03-core-resources-diagnostic-ladder/
course-02-kubeadm-cluster-install/
...
course-03-lifecycle-upgrades/
...
...
course-11-exam-prep/
...
shared/
apps/
catalog-api/
fleet-dashboard/
telemetry-worker/
K8S/ # Reference books (not tracked)
reference-research/ # Research materials
```
Each module folder contains Kubernetes YAML manifests, shell scripts, and configuration files for hands-on demos and exercises.
## What's New in the February 2025 CKA Curriculum
This skill path natively covers topics added in the largest CKA revision to date:
- **Gateway API** -- GatewayClass, Gateway, HTTPRoute (replacing legacy Ingress)
- **Helm & Kustomize** -- Installing and managing cluster components
- **CRDs & Operators** -- Custom resources and the controller pattern
- **Workload Autoscaling** -- HPA and VPA configuration
- **Ephemeral Containers** -- `kubectl debug` for distroless image debugging
- **Native Sidecars** -- Init containers with `restartPolicy: Always`
- **Extension Interfaces** -- CNI, CSI, CRI plugin boundaries
## Storyline
All demos follow **Globomantics**, a fictional company migrating their monolithic e-commerce platform to Kubernetes. You've been hired as the first dedicated cluster administrator. Every skill maps to what you'll face on exam day and your first on-call rotation.
## Exam Resources
- [CKA Exam Registration ($445, includes retake + 2 killer.sh sessions)](https://training.linuxfoundation.org/certification/certified-kubernetes-administrator-cka/)
- [CKA Curriculum v1.35 (PDF)](https://github.com/cncf/curriculum)
- [Kubernetes Documentation](https://kubernetes.io/docs/) (allowed during exam)
- [Gateway API Documentation](https://gateway-api.sigs.k8s.io/) (allowed during exam)
- [Helm Documentation](https://helm.sh/docs/) (allowed during exam)
- [killer.sh Exam Simulator](https://killer.sh/)
## CKA Cert Buddy
This repo includes a **GitHub Copilot agent** for CKA exam practice in the [`cka-cert-buddy/`](cka-cert-buddy/) directory. Open it as a VS Code workspace to access:
- **Practice scenarios** -- exam-realistic tasks with two-phase delivery (scenario first, solution on request)
- **Guided labs** -- hands-on exercises on kind clusters with validation gates and cleanup
- **Study planner** -- personalized plans based on your confidence across the five exam domains
- **Reference docs** -- comprehensive command guide, exam lifecycle guide, and curated learning resources
See the [CKA Cert Buddy README](cka-cert-buddy/README.md) for setup instructions.
## Author
**Tim Warner** -- Microsoft MVP, Pluralsight author with 200+ courses, and technical trainer specializing in cloud infrastructure and certification preparation.
- [Pluralsight](https://www.pluralsight.com/authors/tim-warner)
- [GitHub](https://github.com/timothywarner)
- [Website](https://techtrainertim.com)
## License
This project is licensed under the MIT License -- see the [LICENSE](LICENSE) file for details.