Dive Into Kubernetes and Cloud Native Certified Associate (KCNA)
Achieve the Kubernetes and Cloud Native Associate Certification with comprehensive videos, labs & practice exams.
- Kubernetes
- Certification Prep
- Hands-On Labs
- Cloud Native

CNCF Ambassador • Kubestronaut • Docker Captain

Achieve the Kubernetes and Cloud Native Associate Certification with comprehensive videos, labs & practice exams.
What You'll Learn
Master cloud-native fundamentals & architecture
Build & run containers with Docker
Operate Kubernetes workloads confidently
Prepare & pass the KCNA exam with ease
Course Description
Dive Into the world of Kubernetes with the most thorough, current, and detailed KCNA preparation course available today. Whether you're starting from scratch or aiming to secure the prestigious Kubernetes and Cloud Native Associate certification, you've discovered the ultimate toolkit to propel your expertise and career to new heights!
With an unmatched array of resources, expert instruction, dynamic learning tools and full-length practice exams, you're about to embark on an educational journey that promises not just knowledge, but a transformation into a certified cloud-native professional.
Inside the Course
Experience our meticulously crafted lessons featuring high-quality slides, detailed annotations, and engaging real-world examples that make complex concepts accessible.

Why This Course Stands Out
Professional Production Quality
Every lesson is recorded in crystal-clear high definition with professional-grade audio engineering, meticulously crafted animated slides, and precise closed captions. Our broadcast-quality production standards eliminate distractions and ensure optimal comprehension, allowing you to focus entirely on mastering complex concepts.
Evidence-Based Learning Architecture
Our multi-modal approach combines video instruction, hands-on browser based lab environments, quizzes, and curated resources. This methodically designed learning framework ensures knowledge retention and practical application, moving concepts from theoretical understanding to professional competency.
Systematic Curriculum Design
The course follows a carefully structured progression, beginning with foundational concepts and systematically building in complexity. Each module builds upon previously established knowledge, ensuring comprehensive understanding whilst minimizing learning gaps.
Optimized for Professional Schedules
Recognizing the demands of professional life, every lesson is meticulously planned and thoroughly tested. Content is concise yet comprehensive, delivering maximum educational value while respecting your time.
Professional Competencies Developed
Upon completion, you will possess the technical expertise to:
- Explain Kubernetes control plane and node components, and how they maintain desired state and schedule workloads
- Model and deploy applications using Pods, Deployments, ReplicaSets, and Jobs with production‑ready YAML
- Expose and connect services using ClusterIP, NodePort and LoadBalancer; understand DNS and service discovery
- Organize environments with Namespaces, Labels and Selectors; implement least‑privilege access with RBAC and Service Accounts
- Manage configuration and sensitive data using ConfigMaps and Secrets following security best practices
- Design resilient workloads with health probes, rolling updates, and Pod Disruption Budgets for high availability
- Segment traffic and harden workloads using NetworkPolicies and core Kubernetes security primitives
- Persist application state with PersistentVolumes, StorageClasses and StatefulSets for stateful workloads
- Package and templatize applications using Helm Charts to standardize and streamline deployments
- Build practical observability with Prometheus and Grafana; read metrics to troubleshoot performance issues
- Adopt GitOps workflows to deliver reliable, auditable changes across clusters
- Confidently navigate the KCNA exam blueprint with targeted study tips, quizzes, and full practice exams
Hands-On Lab Environments
Get hands-on with our interactive web-based lab environments, allowing you to step through every lesson covered in the course using the same environment used within the course for consistency and accelerated learning.

Master The Exam Through Practice
Dynamic quizzes throughout the course solidify concepts and mirror real KCNA question styles.
Short, targeted quizzes appear throughout this course to help cement new concepts in your long-term memory.
Each question features an in-depth explanation so you understand not just what is correct, but why. This reflective feedback loop accelerates learning and uncovers misconceptions early.
🎯 Try the example question below to experience this interactive learning approach yourself!
What is the smallest deployable unit of compute in Kubernetes?
About the Exam
KCNA Certification Exam Details
Everything you need to know about the certification exam
Duration
90 minutes
Format
Multiple Choice
Passing Score
75%
Retake
One Retake Included
Exam Content Breakdown
Save 30% with DiveInto
Get 30% off the Kubernetes and Cloud Native Certification Exam. This code also works on all other CNCF certifications including CKA, CKAD, CKS, and KCSA.
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Exam Tips
The exam is designed to test practical knowledge and understanding of cloud-native concepts. Focus on hands-on experience and real-world scenarios covered in this course.
Kubestronaut Certified
James Spurin, your instructor for this Kubernetes and Cloud Native Associate (KCNA) course holds a current certification in this subject and commits to maintaining this certification as long as the course is offered. He is also recognised as a Kubestronaut, meaning that he is qualified in all of the Kubernetes Certifications!
By achieving the KCNA certification, you'll be taking a step towards the path to becoming a Kubestronaut yourself, building the foundational cloud-native knowledge that serves as the cornerstone for advanced Kubernetes certifications.


Meet Your Instructor
James Spurin is a distinguished expert in cloud-native technologies, backed by over 25 years of professional industry experience spanning infrastructure engineering, DevOps, and modern container orchestration. As a CNCF Ambassador and Docker Captain, he regularly contributes to the community through speaking engagements, workshops, and technical content.
Course Content
- Introduction to your Instructor and Course Overview (8:35)Preview
- Ensuring Credibility: Verifying Your Instructor's Kubernetes Certification
- Contact, Support and Issues Feedback
- What is Cloud Native, the Linux Foundation and the CNCF - Study Tips
- What is Cloud Native, the Linux Foundation and the CNCF (10:33)Preview
- What is Cloud Native, the Linux Foundation and the CNCF - Quiz
- KCNA Exam Overview - Study Tips
- KCNA Exam Overview (4:16)
- KCNA Exam Overview - Quiz
- Cloud Native Architecture Fundamentals - Study Tips
- Cloud Native Architecture Fundamentals (7:49)
- Cloud Native Architecture Fundamentals - Further Study
- Cloud Native Architecture Fundamentals - Quiz
- Cloud Native Practices - Study Tips
- Cloud Native Practices (9:50)
- Cloud Native Practices - Further Study
- Cloud Native Practices - Quiz
- Autoscaling - Study Tips
- Autoscaling (10:23)
- Autoscaling - Quiz
- Serverless - Study Tips
- Serverless (4:59)
- Serverless - Quiz
- Community and Governance - Study Tips
- Community and Governance (11:23)
- Community and Governance - Quiz
- Cloud Native Personas - Study Tips
- Cloud Native Personas (11:35)
- Cloud Native Personas - Further Study
- Cloud Native Personas - Quiz
- Open Standards - Study Tips
- Open Standards (7:53)
- Open Standards - Quiz
- Introduction to Containers - Study Tips
- Introduction to Containers (14:58)
- Introduction to Containers - Quiz
- Docker Desktop Installation and Configuration (13:24)
- Docker Desktop Installation and Configuration - Quiz
- Docker Desktop Installation and Configuration - Challenge
- Container Images (12:16)
- Container Images - Quiz
- Container Images - Optional Challenges
- Container Images - Optional Challenges Solutions
- Running Containers (7:14)Preview
- Running Containers - Quiz
- Running Containers - Optional Challenges
- Running Containers - Optional Challenges Solutions
- Container Networking Services and Volumes (7:29)
- Container Networking Services and Volumes - Quiz
- Container Networking Services and Volumes - Optional Challenge
- Container Networking Services and Volumes - Optional Challenge Solution
- Building Container Images - Part 1 (11:16)
- Building Container Images - Part 2 (15:44)
- Building Container Images - Part 3 (4:23)
- Building Container Images - Quiz
- Building Container Images - Optional Challenge
- Building Container Images - Optional Challenge Solution
- Container Orchestration - Study Tips
- Container Orchestration Introduction (3:51)
- Container Orchestration - Quiz
- Kubernetes Architecture - Study Tips
- Kubernetes Architecture (16:03)Preview
- Kubernetes Architecture - Quiz
- Kubernetes Lab Overview (7:06)
- Kubernetes Lab Setup - Windows Considerations (4:15)
- Kubernetes Lab Setup - Docker Desktop Extension (1:53)
- Kubernetes Lab Setup - Google Cloud Shell (2:35)
- Kubernetes Lab Setup - Docker Compose (2:29)
- Lab Challenge - Installing a k3s Kubernetes Cluster
- Kubernetes Pods - Study Tips
- Kubernetes Pods - Part 1 (11:40)Preview
- Kubernetes Pods - Part 2 (5:11)
- Kubernetes Pods - Part 3 (5:49)
- Kubernetes Pods - Lab
- Kubernetes Pods - Further Study
- Kubernetes Pods - Quiz
- Kubernetes Namespaces - Study Tips
- Kubernetes Namespaces (10:08)Preview
- Kubernetes Namespaces - Lab
- Kubernetes Namespaces - Quiz
- Kubernetes Deployments and ReplicaSets - Study Tips
- Kubernetes Deployments and ReplicaSets (13:11)
- Kubernetes Deployments and ReplicaSets - Further Study
- Kubernetes Deployments and ReplicaSets - Lab
- Kubernetes Deployments and ReplicaSets - Quiz
- Kubernetes Services - Study Tips
- Kubernetes Services (17:08)
- Kubernetes Services - Lab
- Kubernetes Services - Quiz
- Kubernetes Jobs - Study Tips
- Kubernetes Jobs (8:05)
- Kubernetes Jobs - Further Study
- Kubernetes Jobs - Lab
- Kubernetes Jobs - Quiz
- Kubernetes ConfigMaps - Study Tips
- Kubernetes ConfigMaps (8:19)
- Kubernetes ConfigMaps - Lab
- Kubernetes ConfigMaps - Quiz
- Kubernetes Secrets - Study Tips
- Kubernetes Secrets (5:49)
- Kubernetes Secrets - Lab
- Kubernetes Secrets - Quiz
- Kubernetes Labels - Study Tips
- Kubernetes Labels (6:42)
- Kubernetes Labels - Lab
- Kubernetes Labels - Quiz
- Kubernetes API - Study Tips
- Kubernetes API - Part 1 (7:28)
- Kubernetes API - Part 2 (16:29)
- Kubernetes API - Further Study
- Kubernetes API - Lab
- Kubernetes API - Quiz
- Kubernetes RBAC - Study Tips
- Kubernetes RBAC - Part 1 (11:11)
- Kubernetes RBAC - Part 2 (5:29)
- Kubernetes RBAC - Part 3 (17:34)
- Kubernetes RBAC - Lab
- Kubernetes RBAC - Further Study (Service Accounts)
- Kubernetes RBAC - Quiz
- Kubernetes Scheduler and NodeName - Study Tips
- Kubernetes Scheduler and NodeName (8:24)
- Kubernetes Scheduler and NodeName - Further Study
- Kubernetes Scheduler and NodeName - Lab
- Kubernetes Scheduler and NodeName - Quiz
- Kubernetes Storage - Study Tips
- Kubernetes Storage (17:28)
- Kubernetes Storage - Lab
- Kubernetes Storage - Further Study
- Kubernetes Storage - Quiz
- Kubernetes StatefulSets - Study Tips
- Kubernetes StatefulSets (11:48)
- Kubernetes StatefulSets - Lab
- Kubernetes StatefulSets - Quiz
- Kubernetes NetworkPolicies - Study Tips
- Kubernetes NetworkPolicies (4:27)
- Kubernetes NetworkPolicies - Lab
- Kubernetes NetworkPolicies - Quiz
- Kubernetes Pod Disruption Budgets - Study Tips
- Kubernetes Pod Disruption Budgets (6:17)
- Kubernetes Pod Disruption Budgets - Lab
- Kubernetes Pod Disruption Budgets - Quiz
- Kubernetes Security - Study Tips
- Kubernetes Security (10:18)
- Kubernetes Security - Further Study
- Kubernetes Security - Lab
- Kubernetes Security - Quiz
- Kubernetes Miscellaneous - Study Tips
- Kubernetes Miscellaneous: When Nodes Fail - Further Study
- Kubernetes Miscellaneous: Garbage Collection - Further Study
- Kubernetes Miscellaneous: Probes & The Kubelet - Further Study
- Helm and Helm Charts - Study Tips
- Helm and Helm Charts (10:28)
- Helm and Helm Charts - Quiz
- Service Meshes - Study Tips
- Service Meshes (5:15)Preview
- Service Meshes - No Lab
- Service Meshes - Quiz
- Cloud Native Observability - Study Tips
- Cloud Native Observability (6:33)
- Cloud Native Observability - Further Study
- Cloud Native Observability - Quiz
- Prometheus and Grafana - Study Tips
- Prometheus and Grafana - Part 1 - Introduction (5:04)Preview
- Prometheus and Grafana - Part 2 - Hands on with Prometheus (9:36)
- Prometheus and Grafana - Part 3 - Hands on with Grafana (4:03)
- Prometheus and Grafana - Lab
- Prometheus and Grafana - Quiz
- Cost Management - Study Tips
- Cost Management (7:03)
- Cost Management - Quiz
- Cloud Native Application Delivery and GitOps - Study Tips
- Cloud Native Application Delivery and GitOps (7:43)Preview
- Cloud Native Application Delivery and GitOps - Lab
- Cloud Native Application Delivery and GitOps - Further Study
- Cloud Native Application Delivery and GitOps - Quiz
- Quiz Summaries Overview - Article
- Section 1 - Course and Cloud Native Introduction (Part of the 16% of the Exam) - Quiz
- Section 2 - Cloud Native Architecture (16% of the Exam Curriculum) - Quiz
- Section 3 - Containers (Sub Selection of Questions that feature in the KCNA) - Quiz
- Section 3 - Containers (Optional - Full Set of Questions including Sub Selection) - Quiz
- Section 4 - Kubernetes Fundamentals (Part of the 46% + 22% of Exam Curriculum) - Quiz
- Section 5 - Kubernetes Deep Dive (Part of the 46% + 22% of Exam Curriculum) - Quiz
- Section 6 - Telemetry & Observability (8% of the Exam Curriculum) - Quiz
- Section 7 - Cloud Native Application Delivery (8% of the Exam Curriculum) - Quiz
- Credits and Thanks