ITGSS Certified DevOps Engineer Practice Test

What is one characteristic of the 'kubectl exec' command?

1. It runs scripts on the host machine

2. It provides shell access to containers

3. It allows remote debugging of Pods

4. It installs software packages

The correct answer is: It provides shell access to containers

The 'kubectl exec' command is designed to provide shell access to containers running within Kubernetes Pods. This capability is crucial for various operational tasks, including troubleshooting issues and inspecting the state of applications running inside those containers. By using 'kubectl exec', you can initiate a command or a shell session directly in a specific container within a Pod, which allows you to interact with the application and the environment in which it operates. In contrast, while the other options may relate to concepts within Kubernetes or container management, they do not accurately describe the primary function of 'kubectl exec'. The command does not run scripts on the host machine, nor does it allow for remote debugging of Pods in the broader sense, as debugging often requires additional tools or setups. Additionally, it does not handle software installation directly; that functionality is typically managed through other means, such as package managers within the container itself or during the container image build process.