The Main Benefits to Kubernetes
- Orchestrate containers across multiple hosts.
- Optimum utilisation of hardware to maximise the resources required for executing apps.
- Automate and control deployment and upgradation of launched applications.
- Adding storage for running apps.
- Scaling container-based applications.
- Declaratively managing services, which ensures that the deployed applications are always running in the desired way.
- Enabling Health-check and self-heal of apps with auto-placement, auto-restart, auto replication, and autoscaling paradigms.
Why is Kubernetes Important?
In the production ecosystem, managing containers profusely is a necessary requirement. Kubernetes is an open-source platform and a container-orchestration system used for automated application deployment, scaling, and container management. Kubernetes comes with a framework that allows distributed systems to run with flexibility.
Prime functionalities of Kubernetes
- Deployment of container
- Load Balancing, Service Discovery and Auto Scaling
- Persistent Allocation
What is the Kubernetes Certification?
The Cloud Native Computing Foundation focuses on the expansion of the community of Kubernetes Administrators by providing a continuous learning environment across organizations with the help of Kubernetes.
Certification is the initial step of this process, which allows administrators to acknowledge their credibility and present it in front of the recruiters. It even assists companies to hire efficient team members for the growth of their organisation.
The prime agenda of the Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) program is to ensure that all CKA holders possess the relevant skills, knowledge, and competency to carry out the responsibilities of Kubernetes administrators. It is a virtual, proctored, performance-based assessment that requires solving multiple problems using the command-line interface.
Difference between Virtual Machines and Containers
“Virtual Machines are an abstraction of the hardware layer, meaning each VM has its copy of the operating system, CPU, filesystems, processing power, and memory.”
In layman’s terms, “each Virtual Machine could be considered as a computer system running with all required hardware and software components.”
Containers are analogous to Virtual Machines. Though containers are an abstraction of the Application Layer, this implies that they simulate software applications while sharing a standard operating system. Containers are portable across clouds and Operating Systems because they decouple from the hidden infrastructure.
Containerised environments are more suitable for running applications because they consume less space and memory. A typical virtual machine is a few gigabytes in size and requires a handful of minutes to start. Containers, on the other hand, are just a few megabytes in size and start in a couple of seconds.
Scope of Kubernetes Certification in the IT sector
Currently, job titles do not emphasize Kubernetes hiring. Hence, when you seek job roles for Kubernetes, focus on the job descriptions rather than the job titles.
Certification in Kubernetes allows to be front-runners for the below-mentioned job profiles :
- DevOps Engineer
- Cloud Engineer
- Systems Engineer
- Site Reliability Engineer
- Java Architect [Senior]
- Python Developer [Senior]
- Software Escalation Engineer
Best Kubernetes Certifications
CNCF (Cloud Native Computing Foundation – the authorising body responsible for developing and maintaining Kubernetes is offering a few Kubernetes certification programs. CNCF offers a total of four Kubernetes certifications, two for aspirants and professionals, and two for organisations using Kubernetes
Kubernetes Certificates for students/professionals
1. Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)
Developed by a collaborative effort of the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) and The Linux Foundation for expanding the Kubernetes ecosystem, the Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) certification allows developers to display their credibility in the job market and enable companies to appoint them for performing Kubernetes-based tasks.
Examination Details:
- Name – Certified Kubernetes Administrator exam
- Duration – 3 hours
- Language(s) – English, German, Japanese, Portuguese, Simplified Chinese, and Spanish
- Passing Percentage – 74%
- Price – $300
- Questions Type – Performance-based tasks using the command-line interface
- Validity – Three years
- Recommended for – Beginners
You can register here.
2. Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD)
The CKAD certification is focused on the development of Kubernetes Application Developers. It recognises the capability of a developer to build, configure, design, and expose native cloud applications for Kubernetes.
An ideal candidate for clearing the CKAD certification exam should be able to:
- Implement code in multiple programming languages, such as Go, Java, Node.js, or Python
- Understand the concepts about cloud-native applications and architectures
- Work on an OCI-Compliant Container Runtime
Examination Details:
- Name – Kubernetes Certified Application Developer Exam
- Duration – 2 hours
- Mode – Web Protocotered
- Language(s) – English, German, Japanese, Portuguese, Simplified Chinese, and Spanish
- Passing Percentage – 66%
- Price – $300 (including one free retake)
- Questions Type – Performance-based tasks using the command line interface
- Validity – Three years
- Recommended for – Intermediate/ Experts
You can also register here.
Kubernetes Certifications for organisations
3. Software Conformance (Certified Kubernetes)
Any organisation that offers Kubernetes-based software needs to acquire the Software Conformance (Certified Kubernetes) certification.
Advantages of the Software Conformance (Certified Kubernetes) program:
- Consistency when interacting with any installation of Kubernetes
- Timely updates on a yearly basis or even earlier
- Confirmability to make sure that the distribution or platform remains conformant
The certification process includes four basic steps:
- Step 1: Prepare your product for certification
- Step 2 – Carry out the certification test with the help of Sonobuoy
Step 3 – Prepare a PR and submit the results to the Conformance repository on GitHub. Fill up the terms & conditions form.
Step 4 – Wait for the review and results of your product certification
Kubernetes Certified Service Provider
The KCSP or Kubernetes Certified Service Provider program intends to assist enterprises in getting the essential help for bringing up new applications swiftly and effectively.
A Kubernetes Certified Service Provider helps with
- Consulting
- Professional services
- Support
- Training
Prerequisites:
- CNCF membership
- A business model for supporting enterprise end-users which involves placing engineers at a client site
- Three or more CKA engineers
The KCSP certification process just involves three basic steps:
- Step 1: Fill out the KCSP form
- Step 2: Submit the Certified Kubernetes Administration (CKA) certifications of at least three employees. You may submit these either via filling the KCSP form or sending a mail to kcsp@cncf.io
- Step 3: Wait for the review process to be completed and the results.
You can register here.
Recommendations for attaining Kubernetes Certification
We highly recommend learners select one of the best online platforms for gaining virtual access to the Kubernetes environment for cracking the Kubernetes certification. Some entrepreneurs such as Intellipaat, Google have ranked as the most popular picks of the year 2021 by the students as these provide an interactive experience required for qualifying Kubernetes Certification exams.
You should carefully evaluate the prices, course period, mentors, remarks, and reviews of the ex-learners prior to making your choice so that you can pick the one that meets your requirements and expectations to the maximum extent.
Also see, kubernetes interview questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Which certification is best for Kubernetes?
The four best Kubernetes Certifications are as follows:
1. Kubernetes Certificates for students/professionals :
2. Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)
3. Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD)
4. Kubernetes Certifications for organisers
5. Software Conformance (Certified Kubernetes)
6. Kubernetes Certified Service Provider
What is Kubernetes certification?
The prime agenda of the Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) program is to ensure that all CKA holders possess the relevant skills, knowledge, and competency to carry out the responsibilities of Kubernetes administrators. It is a virtual, proctored, performance-based assessment that requires solving multiple problems using the command-line interface.
How difficult is Kubernetes certification?
Even though the test is a bit difficult, it’s for a fruitful motive. The Kubernetes platform needs a deep theoretical understanding and actual implementation in a production environment—clearing the exam implies that you are good enough to apply that knowledge in a real-world scenario.
Is Kubernetes certification free?
No, the Kubernetes certification is not free.
How much does Kubernetes certification cost?
The cost of the Kubernetes certification is $300 and it includes one free retake.
Is Kubernetes certification valuable?
Yes, the Kubernetes certification is valuable. It allows administrators to acknowledge their credibility and present it in front of the recruiters. It even assists companies to hire efficient team members for the growth of their organisation.
Conclusion
Google is the dream company for most software developers. Kubernetes Certification provides you an opportunity to work with Google eventually and understand the working paradigm of the container’s architecture.
The time invested by the developer and their efforts is duly acknowledged by giving the credits and an acknowledgment certificate for it. It is a very remarkable achievement for any Software developer who has cleared the Kubernetes certification as it is accredited by Google and is acknowledged worldwide.
The students get a professional working organisation along with well-written tutorials that teach them every minute detail of the container paradigm. Post this, students have earned hands-on experience in container and cloud development.
In the future, there is a very high probability of students with Kubernetes certification getting shortlisted by top-notch companies for internships and job opportunities.
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