Which Cloud Native Application Developer Certification is Best For You?

Having decided to pursue the certification of Cloud Native Application Developer, you may be wondering which of the three exams is right for you. Here is a comparison between the three exams and how you can prepare for them. The CKAD exam is geared toward application developers on Kubernetes teams. As such, it assumes a working knowledge of microservice architecture, containers, and Docker. Nevertheless, if you are a developer with production experience, this certification may be right for you.

There are several advantages and disadvantages of each of the three certifications. These exams are more challenging for newbies. To be successful in them, you need to do extensive preparation and have hands-on experience in Kubernetes. InfraCloud engineers encourage their customers to pass the CNCF certification exams and share their insights on how to prepare for the exam.

Both of these exams test an individual's skills and knowledge of Kubernetes application development. The CKA exam emphasizes application development, application deployment, and management. This certification is relatively new and will be of great interest to anyone looking to become a Kubernetes administrator. Regardless of your preferred certification, be sure to take advantage of this opportunity to prove your skills.

For engineers looking to build, deploy, and manage cloud-native applications, the CKAD certification is for you. It is aimed at developers working on a Kubernetes team and has a hands-on focus on application development and deployment. CKAD certifications assume that the candidate has knowledge of containerization and microservice architecture. It is most useful for developers who have a lot of experience building and deploying applications in production.

The main difference between the two certifications is in the scope. CKA covers cluster architecture and configuration. CKS tests application developers' ability to deploy applications and monitor their performance. The CKAD exam tests a developer's skill set in integrating Kubernetes with Docker, which is a containerized operating system. A developer can choose to specialize in one or the other, depending on their background and interests.

There are three main certifications in the Kubernetes ecosystem. Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) and Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKS). These two certifications are offered by Cloud Native Computing Foundation and The Linux Foundation respectively. The CKA exam is the most advanced certification in the field, and the CKS exam is for entry-level DevOps engineers.

Preparation for CKA vs CKAD vs CKS exam

Before starting your preparation, you should know which certification you are aiming to gain. There are two types of exams: CKS and CKA. The CKA exam is more focused on Workloading & Scheduling, while the CKS exam is more oriented towards the actual administration of a cluster. However, both exams contain similar topics. To know which one you should prepare for, it is helpful to read the kubernetes doc and take a Slack channel to ask questions. Make sure you complete mock tests well before the deadline so that you can get feedback on your performance.

Both exams test administration skills, but the CKA exam tests cluster architecture and configuration. In the CKAD exam, you will also have to learn about Pod Designing and Multi-Container Pods. These topics are equally important for both CKS and CKA exams. Regardless of which certification you want to gain, it is important to prepare for both of them.

As for the CKAD exam, you will need some experience managing Kubernetes ecosystems. You should also know how to configure and monitor clusters. This exam is divided into two distinct domains: the application environment and the services and networking domain. The former focuses on the deployment and monitoring of applications in Kubernetes clusters. The CKS exam focuses more on cluster health, configuration, and security. Moreover, it covers logging, runtime security, and monitoring tools. You should also be familiar with Docker and Linux in order to prepare for the CKA exam.

The CKS certification is designed for developers who are working on Kubernetes-friendly applications and consume cluster resources. The CKA exam is aimed at developers who are building applications and using the infrastructure. However, the CKS exam concentrates on security and hardening, with a fifteen percent weightage in this domain. This domain requires you to secure your cluster, restrict network access, use kernel hardening, and scan images for vulnerabilities.

If you're interested in cloud-based, Kubernetes-based application architecture, the CKA certification is for you. It focuses on deploying and managing Kubernetes clusters and is designed for developers on a team that works with this technology. The CKA certification requires that you have a solid understanding of microservice architecture and containers, and it also assumes that you have some experience with production-level applications.

You can also look for self-study materials. There are many free and paid resources available for CKS and CKAD certification preparation. Some of them are available on YouTube and Udemy. You can watch these videos to understand how each one works. The resources you choose to use are very important. Remember that you should not give the exam on the day of the exam unless you are confident that you can pass the test.

CKAD vs CKS

When it comes to certification, there are two different options available: CKA and CKAD. Both are professional-level certifications. The CKA is designed for engineers who build, deploy, and configure cloud-native applications. The CKS is geared toward IT professionals who want to demonstrate their skills in cloud-native application development. The CKA is easier to pass, but not by much.

Those aiming to become certified in Kubernetes must choose between CKA and CKAD. While both are useful for working in this field, CKA is more focused on Kubernetes internals. CKA tests Cluster Architecture and Configuration. Both exams test the knowledge of Kubernetes Pod Designing and Multi-Container Pods. The CKA exam also sheds light on other aspects of Kubernetes, such as Workloading and Scheduling.

The difference between the two certifications is in their scope. The CKA covers cloud-native software delivery and is targeted at developers and architects. CKS focuses on security. CKAD is designed for developers who want to develop applications that use Kubernetes. It focuses on using cluster resources to their maximum potential. Candidates don't need to know how to troubleshoot.

For developers, the CKA is the better exam. The CKAD is a little less comprehensive. But it's still tough and offers some additional benefits. For example, CKS requires you to have a full understanding of Kubernetes before you can become certified. Both exams are worth taking, but the CKA has more benefits. So, which one is right for you?

Which one should you choose? A certification in Kubernetes is an excellent way to demonstrate your expertise. Kubernetes certifications are also widely used by recruiters and organizations to screen prospective employees. However, the CKA is a good first exam for developers, while CKS is a better option for operations teams. It also serves as a prerequisite for the CKS exam.

CKAD is a good choice for those who are working in a hurry. The exam console contains a progress bar. This is helpful for those who need to monitor their time. Generally, it takes about 36 hours for exam results to be released. It can take some time to process results, so make sure to practice before taking the exam. Remember: CKAD is more difficult than CKS.