The LinuxFoundation and Cloud Native Computing Foundation have announced the Kubernetes and Cloud Native Associate (KCNA) exam is now generally available for enrolment and scheduling. Additionally, a new online training course, Kubernetes and Cloud Native Essentials (LFS250), has been released to both prepare individuals for entry-level cloud roles and to sit for the KCNA exam.
KCNA consists of a multiple-choice certification exam testing entry-level knowledge and skills in Kubernetes and the wider cloud native ecosystem. This exam is intended to demonstrate this knowledge, including how to deploy an application using basic kubectl commands, the architecture of Kubernetes (containers, pods, nodes, clusters), understanding the cloud native landscape and projects (storage, networking, GitOps, service mesh), and understanding the principles of cloud native security.
“Kubernetes and Cloud Native Essentials” provides an overview of cloud native technologies, and then dives into container orchestration. Participants will review the high-level architecture of Kubernetes, understand the challenges of container orchestration and how to deliver and monitor applications in distributed environments.
The course also discusses how container orchestration differs from legacy environments and much more. This course is designed for existing and aspiring developers, administrators, architects, and managers who are new to the world of cloud native technologies and container orchestration.
The new training course and KCNA certification are intended to prepare candidates to work with cloud native technologies and pursue further CNCF credentials, including Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA), Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD), and Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS). Specific knowledge tested in the KCNA exam includes:
- Kubernetes Fundamentals (46%)
- Including resources, architecture, APIs, containers, and scheduling
- Container Orchestration (22%)
- Including container orchestration fundamentals, runtime, security, networking, service mesh, and storage
- Cloud Native Architecture (16%)
- Including cloud native architecture fundamentals, autoscaling, serverless, community & governance, personas, and open standards
- Cloud Native Observability (8%)
- Telemetry & observability, Prometheus, and cost management
- Cloud Native Application Delivery (8%)
- Application delivery fundamentals, GitOps, and CI/CD
“Our recent Open Source Jobs Report found more demand for cloud skills than any other technology, but at the same time hiring managers are having massive difficulties finding enough qualified individuals to fill their open positions,” said Clyde Seepersad, SVP, and general manager of training & certification at The Linux Foundation. “This new training course and the KCNA certification are designed to provide a clear onramp for those considering a role working with cloud technology or IT generally to help close this talent gap and provide more career opportunities for aspiring professionals.”
