Kong Certification Interview Questions [2025]

Core Kong Concepts

1. What is Kong's primary role in API management?

• Acts as a lightweight API gateway for microservices.
• Handles routing, load balancing, and authentication.
• Supports plugins for extensibility.
• Integrates with Kubernetes for cloud-native deployments.
• Aligns with incident management workflows.
• Ensures scalable, secure API traffic.
• Enhances DevOps efficiency.

2. How does Kong handle API routing?

Kong routes API traffic using services and routes configured via Admin API or declarative YAML. It supports path-based, host-based, and regex matching, with load balancing across upstream targets. Logs track routing decisions, and CI/CD automates configs. This DevSecOps-aligned approach ensures flexible, secure routing for microservices, supporting high availability and scalability in production environments.

3. When is Kong preferred over other API gateways?

Kong is preferred for its lightweight, open-source nature and extensive plugin ecosystem, ideal for Kubernetes deployments. It's less suited for heavy enterprise features like NGINX Plus. Integration with Konga for UI management and CI/CD for automation aligns with DevSecOps, ensuring efficient, secure API management for modern microservices architectures.

4. Where is Kong typically deployed?

• Kubernetes clusters for cloud-native environments.
• Docker containers for containerized setups.
• Bare-metal servers for on-prem deployments.
• Logs deployment metrics for monitoring.
• Supports CI/CD for automated scaling.
• Aligns with DevSecOps for secure deployments.
• Ensures high availability across environments.

5. Who manages Kong configurations in a team?

DevOps engineers manage Kong configs via Admin API or YAML, SREs monitor performance with Prometheus, and security teams enforce plugins like OAuth. Logs track changes, while CI/CD automates updates. This DevSecOps-aligned collaboration ensures secure, scalable API management, minimizing downtime and maintaining compliance in production.

6. Which Kong components are essential for deployment?

• Proxy for handling API traffic.
• Admin API for configuration management.
• Plugins for extensibility like rate limiting.
• Logs for auditing and debugging.
• Integrates with Sysdig monitoring.
• Aligns with DevSecOps for scalability.
• Supports Kong Ingress Controller for K8s.

7. How does Kong support microservices architecture?

Kong supports microservices with service discovery, load balancing across targets, and plugin chaining for authentication and rate limiting. It integrates with Kubernetes via Kong Ingress Controller, logs service interactions, and automates configs with CI/CD. This DevSecOps-aligned setup ensures secure, scalable API orchestration, facilitating service mesh integration and high availability.

8. What is Konga’s role in Kong management?

• Provides web UI for Kong Admin API.
• Simplifies configuration and plugin management.
• Logs user actions for auditing.
• Integrates with CI/CD for dashboard updates.
• Aligns with monitoring and security practices.
• Enhances team collaboration.
• Supports real-time Kong visualization.

Explore Sysdig security for Konga.

Kong Plugins and Extensibility

9. How do you configure the rate limiting plugin in Kong?

The rate limiting plugin is configured via Admin API or YAML, setting policy (local/cluster), limit, and window size. It tracks requests per consumer/service, logs throttling events, and integrates with Redis for distributed state. CI/CD automates plugin deployment, aligning with DevSecOps for scalable, secure API traffic control in microservices.

10. Why is the OAuth2 plugin essential for API security?

• Enforces OAuth2 authentication for APIs.
• Supports introspection and JWT validation.
• Logs token events for auditing.
• Integrates with CI/CD for plugin updates.
• Aligns with DevSecOps for secure access.
• Prevents unauthorized API calls.
• Enhances compliance for production APIs.

11. What is the Konga plugin’s function?

Konga is a GUI for Kong management, simplifying Admin API interactions. It visualizes services, routes, and plugins, logs user actions, and supports CI/CD integration. This DevSecOps-aligned tool enhances team collaboration, enabling rapid configuration and monitoring for secure, scalable API gateways.

12. How does the CORS plugin work in Kong?

• Handles Cross-Origin Resource Sharing headers.
• Configures origins, methods, and headers.
• Logs CORS requests for analysis.
• CI/CD automates plugin deployment.
• Aligns with DevSecOps for secure APIs.
• Prevents browser security errors.
• Supports web app integrations.

13. Which Lua modules extend Kong functionality?

Lua modules like lua-resty-openresty extend Kong with custom plugins for advanced logic. They handle HTTP requests, integrate with Redis for state, and log operations. CI/CD deploys modules, aligning with DevSecOps for secure, extensible API gateways in production.

14. How do you enable the JWT plugin for authentication?

Enable the JWT plugin via Admin API, configuring claims, keys, and validation. It decodes tokens, logs auth events, and rejects invalid requests. CI/CD automates deployment, aligning with DevSecOps for secure, scalable authentication in microservices.

15. What is the purpose of the Kong Ingress Controller?

• Manages Kong in Kubernetes environments.
• Automates service and route creation.
• Logs Kubernetes events for monitoring.
• Integrates with CI/CD for K8s deployments.
• Aligns with Spacelift CI/CD.
• Ensures cloud-native API management.
• Supports scalable microservices.

Discover Spacelift automation for Kong Ingress.

Kubernetes and Kong Integration

16. How does Kong integrate with Kubernetes?

Kong integrates with Kubernetes via Kong Ingress Controller, automating API gateway resources from Ingress manifests. It supports service discovery, load balancing, and plugins. Logs track K8s events, CI/CD deploys configs, and DevSecOps ensures secure, scalable integration for cloud-native microservices.

17. Why use Kong as a Kubernetes Ingress Controller?

• Supports advanced routing and plugins.
• Automates service discovery.
• Logs Ingress events for monitoring.
• CI/CD integrates for K8s deployments.
• Aligns with DevSecOps for security.
• Scales with Kubernetes clusters.
• Enhances API management.

18. What is the Kong Ingress Controller’s architecture?

The Kong Ingress Controller architecture uses CRDs to manage Kong resources, reconciling Ingress objects with services and routes. It integrates with etcd for state, logs reconciliations, and supports CI/CD for automation. This DevSecOps-aligned setup ensures scalable, secure API gateways in Kubernetes.

19. How do you deploy Kong in Kubernetes?

• Use Helm charts for Kong deployment.
• Configure Ingress Controller as DaemonSet.
• Log deployment events for analysis.
• CI/CD automates K8s manifests.
• Test with kubectl for validation.
• Align with DevSecOps for security.
• Ensure high availability in clusters.

20. Which CRDs are used in Kong for Kubernetes?

Kong uses CRDs like KongPlugin, KongConsumer, and KongIngress for resource management. They extend Kubernetes API, log CRD events, and integrate with CI/CD for automation. This DevSecOps-aligned approach ensures extensible, secure API gateways in cloud-native environments.

21. How does Kong support service mesh in Kubernetes?

Kong supports service mesh with Kong Mesh, integrating with Istio for traffic management. It logs mesh events, automates configs via CI/CD, and aligns with DevSecOps for secure, observable microservices communication in Kubernetes clusters.

22. Why integrate Kong with Prometheus in Kubernetes?

• Exposes metrics for monitoring.
• Logs Prometheus scrape events.
• CI/CD automates metric configs.
• Aligns with Sysdig monitoring.
• Ensures observable API gateways.
• Supports DevSecOps for scalability.
• Enhances K8s observability.

Explore Sysdig certification for Kong monitoring.

Security and Authentication

23. How do you configure OAuth2 in Kong?

Configure OAuth2 plugin via Admin API, setting provider URLs, scopes, and introspection endpoints. It validates tokens, logs auth events, and rejects invalid requests. CI/CD automates deployment, aligning with DevSecOps for secure, scalable authentication in microservices.

24. Why is the ACL plugin important for Kong?

• Enforces access control lists for APIs.
• Supports consumer groups for permissions.
• Logs ACL denials for auditing.
• CI/CD automates ACL updates.
• Aligns with DevSecOps for security.
• Prevents unauthorized access.
• Enhances API governance.

25. What is the function of the Key Authentication plugin?

The Key Authentication plugin secures APIs with API keys, validating keys in headers or queries. Logs track key usage, CI/CD deploys configs, and DevSecOps ensures secure key management, supporting scalable authentication for microservices.

26. How does Kong support mTLS for secure communication?

• Uses mTLS plugin for mutual TLS.
• Validates client certificates in requests.
• Logs mTLS events for auditing.
• CI/CD automates certificate management.
• Aligns with DevSecOps for security.
• Ensures end-to-end encryption.
• Supports secure microservices.

27. Which plugin handles IP restriction in Kong?

The IP Restriction plugin blocks or allows requests based on IP addresses or CIDR ranges. Logs track blocked requests, CI/CD updates lists, and DevSecOps ensures secure access control for APIs.

28. How do you implement request validation with Kong?

Implement request validation with the Request Validator plugin, defining schemas for JSON payloads. Logs track validation errors, CI/CD deploys schemas, and DevSecOps ensures secure, scalable API input validation for microservices.

29. What is the role of the Serverless Functions plugin?

• Executes Lua code at request/response phases.
• Supports custom logic for APIs.
• Logs function executions for monitoring.
• CI/CD automates function deployments.
• Aligns with Spacelift CI/CD.
• Enhances API extensibility.
• Supports DevOps workflows.

Discover Spacelift automation for plugins.

Performance and Scaling

30. How does Kong handle high traffic loads?

Kong handles high traffic with horizontal scaling, load balancing across nodes, and plugin caching. Logs track load, CI/CD automates scaling, and DevSecOps ensures secure, scalable API gateways for microservices under peak loads.

31. Why is Kong’s declarative configuration useful?

• Uses YAML for infrastructure as code.
• Supports GitOps for version control.
• Logs config changes for auditing.
• CI/CD automates declarative deployments.
• Aligns with DevSecOps for security.
• Ensures consistent environments.
• Enhances scalability.

32. What is Kong’s hybrid mode?

Kong’s hybrid mode combines DB-less and database modes for scalability, using declarative configs with Postgres for persistence. Logs track mode transitions, CI/CD deploys hybrids, and DevSecOps ensures secure, flexible API management.

33. How do you scale Kong in Kubernetes?

• Use Horizontal Pod Autoscaler for nodes.
• Configure Kong Ingress Controller for scaling.
• Log scaling events for monitoring.
• CI/CD automates K8s manifests.
• Aligns with DevSecOps for security.
• Ensures high availability.
• Supports microservices scaling.

34. Which metrics monitor Kong performance?

Kong performance metrics include request latency, error rates, and plugin execution times, exposed via Prometheus. Logs track metrics, CI/CD integrates monitoring, and DevSecOps ensures observable, scalable API gateways.

35. How does Kong support blue-green deployments?

Kong supports blue-green deployments with weighted routing via services, splitting traffic between versions. Logs track deployments, CI/CD automates routing, and DevSecOps ensures secure, zero-downtime transitions for microservices.

36. What is Kong’s response caching mechanism?

• Caches responses with Response Cache plugin.
• Configures TTL and keys for caching.
• Logs cache hits for analysis.
• CI/CD automates cache configs.
• Aligns with DevSecOps for security.
• Reduces backend load.
• Enhances API performance.

Explore cloud security scenarios for caching.

Advanced Integration

37. How does Kong integrate with Prometheus?

Kong integrates with Prometheus via the Prometheus plugin, exposing metrics like latency and errors. Logs track integrations, CI/CD deploys configs, and DevSecOps ensures observable, secure API gateways for monitoring.

38. Why use Kong with Docker?

• Deploys Kong as containerized gateway.
• Supports Docker Compose for development.
• Logs container events for analysis.
• CI/CD automates Docker deployments.
• Aligns with DevSecOps for security.
• Ensures portable API management.
• Supports microservices in containers.

39. What is the Kong Admin API’s purpose?

The Kong Admin API manages services, routes, and plugins programmatically. It logs API calls, supports RBAC for security, and integrates with CI/CD for automation. This DevSecOps-aligned API enables scalable, secure configuration of API gateways in production.

40. How do you integrate Kong with Grafana?

• Use Prometheus plugin for metrics export.
• Configure Grafana datasource for Kong metrics.
• Log dashboard queries for analysis.
• CI/CD automates Grafana updates.
• Aligns with DevSecOps for observability.
• Visualizes API performance.
• Enhances monitoring capabilities.

41. Which tools monitor Kong in production?

Tools like Prometheus for metrics, Grafana for visualization, and ELK for logs monitor Kong. CI/CD integrates monitoring, DevSecOps ensures secure observability, supporting scalable API gateways.

42. How does Kong support API versioning?

Kong supports API versioning with route prefixes, headers, or query params. Logs track versions, CI/CD deploys versions, and DevSecOps ensures secure, scalable versioning for microservices.

43. What is Kong’s role in service mesh?

• Acts as ingress gateway for traffic.
• Integrates with Istio for mesh management.
• Logs mesh events for monitoring.
• CI/CD automates mesh configs.
• Aligns with DevSecOps for security.
• Supports observable microservices.
• Enhances API orchestration.

Learn about cloud security for service mesh.

Troubleshooting and Optimization

44. How do you troubleshoot Kong performance issues?

Troubleshoot Kong performance with Prometheus metrics for latency and errors, logs for plugin execution, and kubectl for K8s resources. CI/CD integrates monitoring, DevSecOps ensures secure diagnostics, enabling rapid resolution for scalable API gateways.

45. Why do Kong plugins cause latency?

• Heavy plugins like Lua scripts increase processing.
• Log plugin execution times for analysis.
• Optimize with caching or async execution.
• CI/CD tests plugin performance.
• Align with DevSecOps for optimization.
• Reduce chain length for speed.
• Ensure scalable API performance.

46. What is Kong’s DB-less mode?

Kong’s DB-less mode uses declarative YAML for configs, eliminating database dependency for scalability. Logs track configs, CI/CD deploys YAML, and DevSecOps ensures secure, stateless deployments for high-availability API gateways.

47. How do you optimize Kong for high concurrency?

• Scale horizontally with multiple nodes.
• Use connection pooling for databases.
• Log concurrency metrics for analysis.
• CI/CD automates scaling configs.
• Align with DevSecOps for security.
• Enable async plugin execution.
• Ensure low-latency API handling.

48. Which commands debug Kong in production?

Debug Kong with kong restart, kong reload for configs, and kong health for status. Logs provide insights, CI/CD integrates debugging, and DevSecOps ensures secure troubleshooting for API gateways.

49. How does Kong handle failover in clusters?

Kong handles failover with active-active clustering, load balancing across nodes, and health checks. Logs track failover, CI/CD deploys clusters, and DevSecOps ensures secure, scalable high availability for microservices.

50. What is Kong’s memory optimization strategy?

• Uses LuaJIT for efficient scripting.
• Implements connection reuse for NGINX.
• Logs memory usage for analysis.
• CI/CD monitors resource consumption.
• Aligns with DevSecOps for efficiency.
• Reduces GC overhead for plugins.
• Supports high-throughput APIs.

Understand cloud security engineering for optimization.

Advanced Certification Questions

51. How do you prepare for Kong certification?

Prepare for Kong certification by studying VCL, plugins, and Kubernetes integration. Practice with Konga UI, simulate configs with Admin API, and monitor with Prometheus. CI/CD and DevSecOps knowledge ensures comprehensive readiness for certification exams and production scenarios.

52. What is a common Kong certification topic?

• Plugin configuration and chaining.
• Kubernetes Ingress Controller usage.
• Log metrics for analysis.
• CI/CD for deployment automation.
• Aligns with DevSecOps for security.
• Ensures API gateway expertise.
• Supports microservices certification.

53. Why is Kong’s declarative config important for certification?

Declarative config in Kong uses YAML for infrastructure as code, enabling GitOps and version control. Logs track changes, CI/CD automates deployments, and DevSecOps ensures secure, consistent environments. This is key for certification, supporting scalable, reliable API management in cloud-native setups.

54. How do you validate Kong configs for certification?

• Use kong config validate command.
• Test with Admin API calls.
• Log validation errors for analysis.
• CI/CD automates config testing.
• Align with DevSecOps for security.
• Ensure deployment readiness.
• Supports certification preparation.

55. What is the Kong certification focus on plugins?

Kong certification focuses on plugin chaining, configuration, and custom Lua development. Practice with rate limiting and OAuth2 plugins, log plugin performance, and integrate with CI/CD. DevSecOps ensures secure, extensible API gateways for certification success.

56. How does Kong certification cover Kubernetes?

Kong certification covers Kong Ingress Controller for K8s, managing CRDs like KongPlugin. Logs track K8s events, CI/CD deploys manifests, and DevSecOps ensures secure integration for cloud-native API management.

57. What are key certification scenarios for Kong?

• Configure OAuth2 for authentication.
• Deploy in Kubernetes with Ingress.
• Log scenarios for debugging.
• CI/CD for deployment automation.
• Align with DevSecOps for security.
• Ensure API gateway expertise.
• Prepare for production challenges.

Learn about cloud security for certification.

Real-World Integration

58. How does Kong integrate with Istio for service mesh?

Kong integrates with Istio as an ingress gateway, managing traffic with VCL and plugins. Logs track mesh events, CI/CD deploys integrations, and DevSecOps ensures secure, observable microservices communication in Kubernetes.

59. Why use Kong with Envoy in a service mesh?

• Envoy proxy for L7 traffic management.
• Kong as control plane for configs.
• Logs proxy events for analysis.
• CI/CD automates mesh deployments.
• Aligns with DevSecOps for security.
• Enhances observable APIs.
• Supports scalable microservices.

60. What is Kong’s integration with Terraform?

Kong integrates with Terraform for infrastructure as code, managing resources with providers. Logs track Terraform states, CI/CD automates deployments, and DevSecOps ensures secure, declarative API gateway management.

61. How do you integrate Kong with Vault for secrets?

• Use Vault plugin for secret injection.
• Configures dynamic secrets for APIs.
• Logs secret retrieval for auditing.
• CI/CD automates Vault integrations.
• Aligns with DevSecOps for security.
• Prevents credential leaks.
• Enhances secure API configs.

62. Which tools integrate with Kong for observability?

Tools like Prometheus for metrics, Grafana for visualization, and Jaeger for tracing integrate with Kong. Logs track integrations, CI/CD deploys configs, and DevSecOps ensures observable, secure API gateways.

63. How does Kong support GitOps?

Kong supports GitOps with declarative YAML configs, version control in Git, and CI/CD for deployments. Logs track changes, DevSecOps ensures secure, reproducible API gateways for microservices.

64. What is Kong’s integration with Consul?

• Service discovery for upstream targets.
• Dynamic routing with Consul catalog.
• Logs discovery events for analysis.
• CI/CD automates Consul integrations.
• Aligns with DevSecOps for security.
• Supports dynamic microservices.
• Enhances API scalability.

Explore SRE FAQs for integrations.

Performance and Scaling

65. How does Kong scale for high traffic?

Kong scales horizontally with multiple nodes, using load balancing and connection pooling. Logs track load, CI/CD automates scaling, and DevSecOps ensures secure, high-throughput API gateways for microservices under peak loads.

66. Why use Kong’s DB-less mode?

• Eliminates database dependency for scalability.
• Uses declarative YAML for configs.
• Logs config changes for auditing.
• CI/CD deploys stateless instances.
• Aligns with DevSecOps for security.
• Supports high availability.
• Enhances deployment speed.

67. What is Kong’s hybrid mode?

Kong’s hybrid mode combines DB-less and database modes for flexibility, using YAML for configs with Postgres for persistence. Logs track mode transitions, CI/CD deploys hybrids, and DevSecOps ensures secure API management.

68. How do you scale Kong in Kubernetes?

• Use Horizontal Pod Autoscaler for nodes.
• Configure Ingress Controller for scaling.
• Log scaling events for monitoring.
• CI/CD automates K8s manifests.
• Align with DevSecOps for security.
• Ensure high availability.
• Support microservices scaling.

69. Which metrics monitor Kong performance?

Monitor Kong with latency, error rates, and plugin execution times via Prometheus. Logs track metrics, CI/CD integrates monitoring, and DevSecOps ensures observable, scalable API gateways for production.

70. How does Kong support blue-green deployments?

Kong supports blue-green deployments with weighted routing, splitting traffic between versions. Logs track deployments, CI/CD automates routing, and DevSecOps ensures secure, zero-downtime transitions for microservices.

71. What is Kong’s response caching mechanism?

• Caches responses with Response Cache plugin.
• Configures TTL and keys for caching.
• Logs cache hits for analysis.
• CI/CD automates cache configs.
• Aligns with DevSecOps for security.
• Reduces backend load.
• Enhances API performance.

Learn about cloud security engineering for caching.

Advanced Certification Questions

72. How do you prepare for Kong certification?

Prepare for Kong certification by studying VCL, plugins, and Kubernetes integration. Practice with Konga, simulate configs with Admin API, and monitor with Prometheus. CI/CD and DevSecOps knowledge ensures comprehensive readiness for exams and production scenarios.

73. What is a common Kong certification topic?

• Plugin configuration and chaining.
• Kubernetes Ingress Controller usage.
• Log metrics for analysis.
• CI/CD for deployment automation.
• Align with DevSecOps for security.
• Ensure API gateway expertise.
• Support microservices certification.

74. Why is Kong’s declarative config important for certification?

Declarative config in Kong uses YAML for infrastructure as code, enabling GitOps and version control. Logs track changes, CI/CD automates deployments, and DevSecOps ensures secure, consistent environments. This is key for certification, supporting scalable, reliable API management in cloud-native setups.

75. How do you validate Kong configs for certification?

• Use kong config validate command.
• Test with Admin API calls.
• Log validation errors for analysis.
• CI/CD automates config testing.
• Align with DevSecOps for security.
• Ensure deployment readiness.
• Supports certification preparation.

76. What is the Kong certification focus on plugins?

Kong certification focuses on plugin chaining, configuration, and custom Lua development. Practice with rate limiting and OAuth2 plugins, log performance, and integrate with CI/CD. DevSecOps ensures secure, extensible API gateways for certification success.

77. How does Kong certification cover Kubernetes?

Kong certification covers Kong Ingress Controller for K8s, managing CRDs like KongPlugin. Logs track K8s events, CI/CD deploys manifests, and DevSecOps ensures secure integration for cloud-native API management.

78. What are key certification scenarios for Kong?

• Configure OAuth2 for authentication.
• Deploy in Kubernetes with Ingress.
• Log scenarios for debugging.
• CI/CD for deployment automation.
• Align with DevSecOps for security.
• Ensure API gateway expertise.
• Prepare for production challenges.

Learn about cloud security for certification.

Real-World Integration

79. How does Kong integrate with Istio for service mesh?

Kong integrates with Istio as an ingress gateway, managing traffic with VCL and plugins. Logs track mesh events, CI/CD deploys integrations, and DevSecOps ensures secure, observable microservices communication in Kubernetes.

80. Why use Kong with Envoy in a service mesh?

• Envoy proxy for L7 traffic management.
• Kong as control plane for configs.
• Logs proxy events for analysis.
• CI/CD automates mesh deployments.
• Aligns with DevSecOps for security.
• Enhances observable APIs.
• Supports scalable microservices.

81. What is Kong’s integration with Terraform?

Kong integrates with Terraform for infrastructure as code, managing resources with providers. Logs track Terraform states, CI/CD automates deployments, and DevSecOps ensures secure, declarative API gateway management.

82. How do you integrate Kong with Vault for secrets?

• Use Vault plugin for secret injection.
• Configures dynamic secrets for APIs.
• Logs secret retrieval for auditing.
• CI/CD automates Vault integrations.
• Aligns with DevSecOps for security.
• Prevents credential leaks.
• Enhances secure API configs.

83. Which tools integrate with Kong for observability?

Prometheus for metrics, Grafana for visualization, and Jaeger for tracing integrate with Kong. Logs track integrations, CI/CD deploys configs, and DevSecOps ensures observable, secure API gateways.

84. How does Kong support GitOps?

Kong supports GitOps with declarative YAML configs, version control in Git, and CI/CD for deployments. Logs track changes, DevSecOps ensures secure, reproducible API gateways for microservices.

85. What is Kong’s integration with Consul?

• Service discovery for upstream targets.
• Dynamic routing with Consul catalog.
• Logs discovery events for analysis.
• CI/CD automates Consul integrations.
• Aligns with DevSecOps for security.
• Supports dynamic microservices.
• Enhances API scalability.

Explore SRE FAQs for integrations.

Performance and Scaling

86. How does Kong scale for high traffic?

Kong scales horizontally with multiple nodes, using load balancing and connection pooling. Logs track load, CI/CD automates scaling, and DevSecOps ensures secure, high-throughput API gateways for microservices under peak loads.

87. Why use Kong’s DB-less mode?

• Eliminates database dependency for scalability.
• Uses declarative YAML for configs.
• Logs config changes for auditing.
• CI/CD deploys stateless instances.
• Aligns with DevSecOps for security.
• Supports high availability.
• Enhances deployment speed.

88. What is Kong’s hybrid mode?

Kong’s hybrid mode combines DB-less and database modes for flexibility, using YAML for configs with Postgres for persistence. Logs track mode transitions, CI/CD deploys hybrids, and DevSecOps ensures secure API management.

89. How do you scale Kong in Kubernetes?

• Use Horizontal Pod Autoscaler for nodes.
• Configure Ingress Controller for scaling.
• Log scaling events for monitoring.
• CI/CD automates K8s manifests.
• Align with DevSecOps for security.
• Ensure high availability.
• Support microservices scaling.

90. Which metrics monitor Kong performance?

Monitor Kong with latency, error rates, and plugin execution times via Prometheus. Logs track metrics, CI/CD integrates monitoring, and DevSecOps ensures observable, scalable API gateways for production.

91. How does Kong support blue-green deployments?

Kong supports blue-green deployments with weighted routing, splitting traffic between versions. Logs track deployments, CI/CD automates routing, and DevSecOps ensures secure, zero-downtime transitions for microservices.

92. What is Kong’s response caching mechanism?

• Caches responses with Response Cache plugin.
• Configures TTL and keys for caching.
• Logs cache hits for analysis.
• CI/CD automates cache configs.
• Aligns with DevSecOps for security.
• Reduces backend load.
• Enhances API performance.

Learn about cloud security engineering for caching.

Advanced Certification Questions

93. How do you prepare for Kong certification?

Prepare for Kong certification by studying VCL, plugins, and Kubernetes integration. Practice with Konga UI, simulate configs with Admin API, and monitor with Prometheus. CI/CD and DevSecOps knowledge ensures comprehensive readiness for exams and production scenarios.

94. What is a common Kong certification topic?

• Plugin configuration and chaining.
• Kubernetes Ingress Controller usage.
• Log metrics for analysis.
• CI/CD for deployment automation.
• Align with DevSecOps for security.
• Ensure API gateway expertise.
• Support microservices certification.

95. Why is Kong’s declarative config important for certification?

Declarative config in Kong uses YAML for infrastructure as code, enabling GitOps and version control. Logs track changes, CI/CD automates deployments, and DevSecOps ensures secure, consistent environments. This is key for certification, supporting scalable, reliable API management in cloud-native setups.

96. How do you validate Kong configs for certification?

• Use kong config validate command.
• Test with Admin API calls.
• Log validation errors for analysis.
• CI/CD automates config testing.
• Align with DevSecOps for security.
• Ensure deployment readiness.
• Supports certification preparation.

97. What is the Kong certification focus on plugins?

Kong certification focuses on plugin chaining, configuration, and custom Lua development. Practice with rate limiting and OAuth2 plugins, log performance, and integrate with CI/CD. DevSecOps ensures secure, extensible API gateways for certification success.

98. How does Kong certification cover Kubernetes?

Kong certification covers Kong Ingress Controller for K8s, managing CRDs like KongPlugin. Logs track K8s events, CI/CD deploys manifests, and DevSecOps ensures secure integration for cloud-native API management.

99. What are key certification scenarios for Kong?

• Configure OAuth2 for authentication.
• Deploy in Kubernetes with Ingress.
• Log scenarios for debugging.
• CI/CD for deployment automation.
• Align with DevSecOps for security.
• Ensure API gateway expertise.
• Prepare for production challenges.

Learn about cloud security for certification.

Real-World Integration

100. How does Kong integrate with Istio for service mesh?

Kong integrates with Istio as an ingress gateway, managing traffic with VCL and plugins. Logs track mesh events, CI/CD deploys integrations, and DevSecOps ensures secure, observable microservices communication in Kubernetes.

101. Why use Kong with Envoy in a service mesh?

• Envoy proxy for L7 traffic management.
• Kong as control plane for configs.
• Logs proxy events for analysis.
• CI/CD automates mesh deployments.
• Aligns with DevSecOps for security.
• Enhances observable APIs.
• Supports scalable microservices.

102. What is Kong’s integration with Terraform?

Kong integrates with Terraform for infrastructure as code, managing resources with providers. Logs track Terraform states, CI/CD automates deployments, and DevSecOps ensures secure, declarative API gateway management.

103. How do you integrate Kong with Vault for secrets?

• Use Vault plugin for secret injection.
• Configures dynamic secrets for APIs.
• Logs secret retrieval for auditing.
• CI/CD automates Vault integrations.
• Aligns with DevSecOps for security.
• Prevents credential leaks.
• Enhances secure API configs.