KCNA — Chapter 5: Cloud Native Architecture
Chapter 5: Cloud Native Architecture
Cloud Native Architecture is one of the five KCNA exam domains (16% of the exam). This chapter covers the principles, patterns, and practices that define how modern cloud-native applications are designed, deployed, and managed.
What You’ll Learn
| # | Topic | Key Concepts |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | What Is Cloud Native | CNCF definition, cloud-native vs. cloud-hosted, core properties |
| 2 | Microservices Architecture | Monolith vs. microservices, decomposition patterns, anti-patterns |
| 3 | Twelve-Factor Apps | The 12-factor methodology, how it maps to Kubernetes |
| 4 | Serverless and FaaS | Serverless concepts, FaaS platforms, Knative |
| 5 | Autoscaling Concepts | HPA, VPA, Cluster Autoscaler, KEDA |
| 6 | CNCF Governance and Community | CNCF maturity levels, TOC, SIGs, project lifecycle |
KCNA Exam Relevance
The Cloud Native Architecture domain tests your understanding of:
- Cloud-native principles — what makes an application truly cloud-native
- Microservices patterns — decomposition, communication, and anti-patterns
- Twelve-factor methodology — designing applications for cloud platforms
- Serverless computing — FaaS, event-driven architecture, and Knative
- Autoscaling — horizontal, vertical, and event-driven scaling in Kubernetes
- CNCF ecosystem — governance model, project maturity levels, and community structure
Chapter Roadmap
Cloud Native Architecture
├── What Is Cloud Native
│ └── CNCF definition, properties, cloud-native vs cloud-hosted
├── Microservices Architecture
│ └── Monolith → microservices, patterns, anti-patterns
├── Twelve-Factor Apps
│ └── 12 factors mapped to Kubernetes concepts
├── Serverless and FaaS
│ └── FaaS, BaaS, Knative, event-driven
├── Autoscaling Concepts
│ └── HPA, VPA, Cluster Autoscaler, KEDA
└── CNCF Governance and Community
└── Maturity levels, TOC, SIGs, project lifecycle
Prerequisites
Before starting this chapter, you should be comfortable with:
- Kubernetes core concepts (Chapters 2-3)
- Container fundamentals (Chapter 4)
- Basic understanding of application deployment
Let’s Get Started
Begin with understanding what “cloud native” really means and how it differs from simply running applications in the cloud.
