Kubernetes Resources
These short tutorials and videos can help jump start your Kubernetes journey and are particularly useful for those pursuing a CKAD, CKA, or CKS certification.
Foundational Excellence for Modern Innovation
Kubernetes is the essential engine for today’s distributed systems and the foundation for tomorrow’s Agentic workloads. Whether you are preparing for a CNCF certification or architecting a platform for autonomous agents, technical rigor is non-negotiable.
RX-M provides these curated tutorials, videos, and self-study modules to help you eliminate technical friction. Master the core primitives of container orchestration to ensure your environment is ready for the next evolution of AIOps and intelligent automation.
CKAD Pre-Work
Plan for each section to take approximately 5-10 minutes
This pre-work is designed to help with passing the CKAD exam
Kubernetes basics tutorial
In this six-part tutorial you will be deploy, explore, scale, and perform a rolling update on an app deployed on Kubernetes. Each section of the tutorial includes a single page of text describing Kubernetes objects (akin to a lecture) and a short interactive tutorial (lab).
If you have never touched Kubernetes before, this is a good place to start; if you have some experience with Kubernetes, you can safely skip this tutorial.
Building Container Images
instructor Ronald Petty describes container image layering and explains the differences between Images, Repositories, Tags, and Registries. Ronald also explores image creation and Dockerfiles, reviews Docker CLI commands to interact with Images and Registries, explores image tagging.
Deploying Pods using kubectl
Our Cloud Native Short Take – Kubernetes Pod Basics introduces deploying pods using kubectl, demonstrates the use of YAML in Kubernetes, and illustrates the best practice of using declarative means to create and manage objects.
kubectl basics, tips and tricks
In this Cloud Native Short Take, Christian Lacsina demonstrates resources like Pods, running the cluster, available resource types in the cluster, and more detailed information on a specific resource.
RX-M instructor Christian Lacsina demonstrates autocompletion, labeling, and the -i switch, aliases, and kubectl plugins to help users speed up their workflow.
Introduction to InitContainers
Introduction to Namespaces
Kubernetes Namespaces are like logical partitions of the Kubernetes API, allowing multiple users or teams to deploy resources while minimizing conflicts. Imagine having various teams sharing the same cluster; Namespaces help organize it. Whether it’s per user, per team, or by application, Namespaces offer flexibility. Check out our Cloud Native Short Take on Kubernetes Namespaces:
ConfigMaps and Secrets
RX-M instructor Christian Lacsina examines common configuration paradigms implemented in Kubernetes, discusses the concept of spec portability, and explores how to create and consume Secrets and ConfigMaps:
Kubernetes Deployments
Kubernetes Jobs and CronJobs
Jobs
RX-M instructor Christian Lacsina explores the fundamentals of Kubernetes Jobs, their uses, and how to create them. Kubernetes Jobs are a type of controller that allows users to define one-off tasks to be executed within Kubernetes pods.
CronJobs
RX-M instructor Ron Petty explores the fundamentals of Kubernetes CronJobs, their uses, and how to create them. Kubernetes CronJobs are a type of controller that allows users to define repeatable tasks to be executed within Kubernetes pods. These tasks are designed to be short-lived, terminating once a specific goal is achieved during a scheduled run.
Introduction to Services
Our Cloud Native Short Take – Kubernetes Services two-part series introduces all of the Kubernetes service types and their use. Gain a better understanding of all Kubernetes Services and their capabilities and uses in these two Cloud Native Short Takes:
Persistent Volumes and Persistent Volume Claims
In this Cloud Native Short Take, instructor Jerry Lozano explains how Kubernetes abstracts storage. He explores the Persistent Volume Subsystem in Kubernetes, explains how Persistent Volumes are linked to one or more Pods in a dynamic environment, and demonstrates various Pod storage alternatives.
This Cloud Native Short Take explains the matching behavior of resources in the Kubernetes Persistent Volume (PV) subsystem. It demonstrates how a Persistent Volume Claim (PVC) interacts with a Persistent Volume object in a Kubernetes cluster. The PV subsystem abstracts storage requirements for applications, making it easier for developers to request storage without concerning themselves with specific implementation details. It demonstrates how to create a PVC and PV and how they automatically bind if their capacities and access modes match and discusses using labels and storage class names to control the matching process.
Kubernetes ServiceAccounts and RBAC
This Cloud Native Short Take discusses and demonstrates Kubernetes RBAC: Role Based Access Control, which allows administrators to define a set of permissions (like the ability to create pods) and assign those permissions to subjects (which are users or Kubernetes ServiceAccounts) using API resources.
LFS158 CKAD Curated Chapters
The Linux Foundation’s free LFS158 course provides an introduction to Kubernetes over 16 chapters that are upwards of 12 hours of e-learning. Since not all of the LFS158 material is relevant for the CKAD, we have curated a list of chapters to review.
Plan for each chapter to take approximately 45 minutes
- Ch. 8 – Accessing Minikube (relevant because it touches on cluster access with kubectl)
- Ch. 9 – Kubernetes Building Blocks (explains basic Kubernetes resources and tools)
- Ch. 10 – Authentication, Authorization, Admission Control (covers Service Accounts)
- Ch. 11 – Services (demonstrates accessing applications from Services)
- Ch. 12 – Deploying a Stand-Alone application (covers probes and health checks)
- Ch. 13 – Kubernetes Volume Management (discusses persistent and ephemeral volumes)
- Ch. 14 – Configmaps and Secrets (demonstrates creating and consuming both)
- Ch. 15 – Ingress (covers Ingress rules)
- Ch. 16 – Advanced Topics (discusses Jobs, CronJobs, CRDs, SecurityContexts, NetworkPolicies, observability, Helm, and application deployment strategies: blue/green and canary)
Additional chapters are worth reviewing only if time permits.
Access the free course here: https://training.linuxfoundation.org/training/introduction-to-kubernetes/
CKAD Self-Study Modules
These four self-study modules contain all of the topics outlined in the CNCF’s CKAD Exam Curriculum. If you are not already familiar with the curriculum, take a moment to familiarize yourself as you will be required to demonstrate knowledge of each topic in order to pass the exam.
CKA Pre-Work
Plan for each section to take approximately 5-10 minutes
This pre-work is designed to help with passing the CKA exam
Kubernetes basics tutorial
In this six-part tutorial you will be deploy, explore, scale, and perform a rolling update on an app deployed on Kubernetes. Each section of the tutorial includes a single page of text describing Kubernetes objects (akin to a lecture) and a short interactive tutorial (lab).
If you have never touched Kubernetes before, this is a good place to start; if you have some experience with Kubernetes, you can safely skip this tutorial.
Getting started with kubadm / deploying a multi-node cluster with kubeadm
Our Cloud Native Short Take – Kubernetes Orchestration Overview covers using kubeadm with the init command to instantiate a cluster:
Deploying Pods using kubectl
Our Cloud Native Short Take – Kubernetes Pod Basics introduces deploying containers using kubectl, demonstrates the use of YAML in Kubernetes, and illustrates the best practice of using declarative means to create and manage objects.
kubectl basics, tips and tricks
In this Cloud Native Short Take, Christian Lacsina demonstrates resources like Pods, running the cluster, available resource types in the cluster, and more detailed information on a specific resource.
RX-M instructor Christian Lacsina demonstrates autocompletion, labeling, and the -i switch, aliases, and kubectl plugins to help users speed up their workflow.
Introduction to Node Selector and Affinity
Our Cloud Native Short Take – Kubernetes Pod Scheduling touches on the various ways pod scheduling is influenced through the use of labels, node selectors, node and pod affinity and anti-affinity:
Introduction to Namespaces
Kubernetes Namespaces are like logical partitions of the Kubernetes API, allowing multiple users or teams to deploy resources while minimizing conflicts. Imagine having various teams sharing the same cluster; Namespaces help organize it. Whether it’s per user, per team, or by application, Namespaces offer flexibility. Check out our Cloud Native Short Take on Kubernetes Namespaces:
ConfigMaps and Secrets
RX-M instructor Christian Lacsina examines common configuration paradigms implemented in Kubernetes, discusses the concept of spec portability, and explores how to create and consume Secrets and ConfigMaps:
Kubernetes Deployments
Introduction to DaemonSets
Our Cloud Native Short take explores Kubernetes DaemonSets, their uses, and how to create them. Kubernetes DaemonSets are a type of controller that allow users to deploy a Kubernetes pod on every node in a cluster. DaemonSet pods are typically used for storage, networking, and observability agents and will scale with the cluster. Check out the demo for DaemonSet scaling behavior.
Introduction to Services
Our Cloud Native Short Take – Kubernetes Services two-part series introduces all of the Kubernetes service types and their use. Gain a better understanding of all Kubernetes Services and their capabilities and uses in these two Cloud Native Short Takes:
Persistent Volumes and Persistent Volume Claims
In this Cloud Native Short Take, instructor Jerry Lozano explains how Kubernetes abstracts storage. He explores the Persistent Volume Subsystem in Kubernetes, explains how Persistent Volumes are linked to one or more Pods in a dynamic environment, and demonstrates various Pod storage alternatives.
This Cloud Native Short Take explains the matching behavior of resources in the Kubernetes Persistent Volume (PV) subsystem. It demonstrates how a Persistent Volume Claim (PVC) interacts with a Persistent Volume object in a Kubernetes cluster. The PV subsystem abstracts storage requirements for applications, making it easier for developers to request storage without concerning themselves with specific implementation details. It demonstrates how to create a PVC and PV and how they automatically bind if their capacities and access modes match and discusses using labels and storage class names to control the matching process.
Role Based Access Control (RBAC)
This Cloud Native Short Take discusses and demonstrates Kubernetes RBAC: Role Based Access Control, which allows administrators to define a set of permissions (like the ability to create pods) and assign those permissions to subjects (which are users or Kubernetes ServiceAccounts) using API resources.
Kubernetes Troubleshooting
RX-M Managing Partner Randy Abernethy discusses the tools in various levels in cluster and workload troubleshooting and explores workflows to help guide decisions when troubleshooting problems. Randy also demonstrates troubleshooting techniques to address Kubernetes workload failures and examines the failure modes of each Kubernetes cluster component.
LFS158 CKA Curated Chapters
The Linux Foundation’s free LFS158 course provides an introduction to Kubernetes over 16 chapters that are upwards of 12 hours of e-learning. Since not all of the LFS158 material is relevant for the CKA, we have curated a list of chapters to review.
Plan for each chapter to take approximately 45 minutes
- Ch. 5 – Kubernetes Architecture (explains basic Kubernetes cluster composition)
- Ch. 6 – Installing Kubernetes (discusses using the kubeadm tool)
- Ch. 8 – Access Minikube (relevant because it touches on cluster access with kubectl)
- Ch. 9 – Kubernetes Building Blocks (explains basic Kubernetes resources and tools)
- Ch. 10 – Authentication, Authorization, Admission Control (covers RBAC)
- Ch. 11 – Services (discusses Service types and DNS)
- Ch. 12 – Deploying a Stand-Alone application (demonstrates the basic Kubernetes use case in action)
- Ch. 13 – Kubernetes Volume Management (discusses Persistent Volumes and Persistent Volume Claims)
- Ch. 14 – Configmaps and Secrets (demonstrates creating and consuming both)
- Ch. 15 – Ingress (covers Ingress controllers and resources)
- Ch. 16 – Advanced Topics (discusses manifest templating with Helm, logging, and monitoring)
Additional chapters are worth reviewing only if time permits.
Access the free course here: https://training.linuxfoundation.org/training/introduction-to-kubernetes/
CKA Exam Self-Study Modules
These six self-study modules contain all of the topics outlined in the CNCF CKA Exam Curriculum. If you are not already familiar with the curriculum, take a moment to familiarize yourself as you will be required to demonstrate knowledge of each topic in order to pass the CKA exam.
CKS Pre-Work
Plan for each section to take approximately 5-10 minutes
This pre-work is designed to help with passing the CKS exam
Kubernetes Security Overview
This Cloud Native Short Take discusses Kubernetes security configurations.
CIS Kubernetes Benchmark
In our blog on Kubernetes Hardening we discuss the CIS Kubernetes Benchmark; perform a CIS Benchmark scan on a cluster with Aqua Security’s Trivy; explain how the scanner’s report aligns with the sections in the Benckmark; and demonstrate how to remediate an issue raised by the scanner.
Check out the section entitled “Evaluating our progress” in the blog: https://rx-m.com/frsca-kubernetes-hardening/
Familiarize yourself with the CIS Kubernetes Benckmark at the CIS website.
Role Based Access Control (RBAC)
This Cloud Native Short Take discusses and demonstrates Kubernetes RBAC: Role Based Access Control, which allows administrators to define a set of permissions (like the ability to create pods) and assign those permissions to subjects (which are users or Kubernetes ServiceAccounts) using API resources.
ConfigMaps and Secrets
RX-M instructor Christian Lacsina examines common configuration paradigms implemented in Kubernetes, discusses the concept of spec portability, and explores how to create and consume Secrets and ConfigMaps:
LFS158 CKS Curated Chapters
The Linux Foundation’s free LFS158 course provides an introduction to Kubernetes over 16 chapters that are upwards of 12 hours of e-learning. Since not all of the LFS158 material is relevant for the CKS, we have curated a list of chapters to review.
Plan for each chapter to take approximately 45 minutes
- Ch. 10 – Authentication, Authorization, Admission Control (covers Admission Control concepts)
- Ch. 15 – Ingress (discusses securing Ingress)
- Ch. 16 – Advanced Topics (covers Network Policies)
Access the free course here: https://training.linuxfoundation.org/training/introduction-to-kubernetes/
CKS Exam Self-Study Modules
These six self-study modules contain all of the topics outlined in the CNCF CKS Exam Curriculum. If you are not already familiar with the curriculum, take a moment to familiarize yourself as you will be required to demonstrate knowledge of each topic in order to pass the CKS exam.
Additional Resources
In this webinar, RX-M instructors Chris Hanson and Iliyan Petkov cover everything you need to know about the Kubernetes certifications including exam requirements, a look at the exam environment, details about the exam curriculum domains and tasks, and tips and tricks for taking the exam.
Guidelines from the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF)
- Candidate Handbook: https://docs.linuxfoundation.org/tc-docs/certification/lf-handbook2
- FAQ: https://docs.linuxfoundation.org/tc-docs/certification/faq-cka-ckad
- Exam Tips: https://docs.linuxfoundation.org/tc-docs/certification/tips-cka-and-ckad
- Exam Curriculum: https://github.com/cncf/curriculum
- Kubernetes Certification Exam Environment Preview: https://youtu.be/9UqkWcdy140
Certified Kubernetes App Developer (CKAD)
- About the CKAD Program: https://www.cncf.io/certification/ckad/
- Exam Registration: https://training.linuxfoundation.org/certification/certified-kubernetes-application-developer-ckad/
Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)
- About the CKA Program: https://www.cncf.io/certification/cka/
- Exam Registration: https://training.linuxfoundation.org/certification/certified-kubernetes-administrator-cka/
Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS)
- About the CKS Program: https://www.cncf.io/certification/cks/
- Exam Registration: https://training.linuxfoundation.org/certification/certified-kubernetes-security-specialist/
Direct from Kubernetes
- GitHub: https://github.com/kubernetes/kubernetes
- Releases: https://github.com/kubernetes/kubernetes/releases
- Documentation: https://kubernetes.io/docs
- Tutorials: https://kubernetes.io/docs/tutorials/
- Case Studies: https://kubernetes.io/case-studies/
- Community: https://github.com/kubernetes/community
- Blog: https://kubernetes.io/blog/
Additional Self-Paced Online Training Resources
The Linux Foundation offers self-paced online courses as a good introduction for developers and systems administrators that are getting started.
- Introduction to Kubernetes (LFS158) (free edX course): https://www.edx.org/course/introduction-to-kubernetes
- CKA – Kubernetes Fundamentals (LFS258): https://training.linuxfoundation.org/training/kubernetes-fundamentals/
- CKAD – Kubernetes for Developers (LFD259): https://training.linuxfoundation.org/training/kubernetes-for-developers/
- CKS – Kubernetes for Security Essentials (LFD260): https://training.linuxfoundation.org/training/kubernetes-security-essentials-lfs260/