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Exam Information
Official specifications published by Mirantis
Exam Format
90 min
Not published
Associate
Registration
$199 USD
Examity Remote Proctoring or online proctoring
English
Validity
2 years
Retake the exam before expiration; No continuing education credits available
DCA Exam Topics and Domains
DCA is organized into 6 weighted domains.
1
Orchestration
25%
Swarm Mode Cluster Setup
Complete setup of swarm mode clusterQuorum and cluster management
- Complete the setup of a swarm mode cluster, with managers and worker nodes
- Describe the importance of quorum in a swarm cluster
Services and Tasks
Container vs Service executionService scaling and management
- Describe and demonstrate how to extend the instructions to run individual containers into running services under swarm
- Describe the difference between running a container and running a service
- Describe and demonstrate how to run replicated and global services
Stack Deployment
Docker Stack and Compose
- Convert an application deployment into a stack file using a YAML compose file with 'docker stack deploy'
- Manipulate a running stack of services
Service Configuration
Service orchestration activitiesNode labels and placement
- Describe and demonstrate orchestration activities
- Apply node labels to demonstrate placement of tasks
Troubleshooting and Integration
Service troubleshootingLegacy system integration
- Interpret the output of 'docker inspect' commands
- Identify the steps needed to troubleshoot a service not deploying
- Describe how a Dockerized application communicates with legacy systems
Kubernetes Integration
Kubernetes workloads
- Describe how to deploy containerized workloads as Kubernetes pods and deployments
- Describe how to provide configuration to Kubernetes pods using configMaps and secrets
2
Image Creation, Management, and Registry
20%
Dockerfile and Image Creation
Dockerfile basicsEfficient image creation
- Describe the use of Dockerfile
- Describe options, such as add, copy, volumes, expose, entry point
- Identify and display the main parts of a Dockerfile
- Describe and demonstrate how to create an efficient image via a Dockerfile
Image Management
CLI image operationsImage inspection and layers
- Describe and demonstrate how to use CLI commands to manage images
- Describe and demonstrate how to inspect images and report specific attributes
- Describe and demonstrate how to tag an image
- Describe and demonstrate how to display layers of a Docker image
- Describe and demonstrate how to modify an image to a single layer
Registry Operations
Registry deployment and accessImage registry operations
- Describe and demonstrate registry functions
- Deploy a registry
- Log into a registry
- Utilize search in a registry
- Push an image to a registry
- Sign an image in a registry
- Pull and delete images from a registry
3
Installation and Configuration
15%
Docker Engine Installation
Installation requirements and setupDaemon configuration
- Describe sizing requirements for installation
- Describe and demonstrate the setup of repo, selection of a storage driver, and installation of the Docker engine on multiple platforms
- Describe and demonstrate configuration of logging drivers
- Describe and demonstrate how to configure the Docker daemon to start on boot
Swarm and Cluster Setup
Swarm configuration
Describe and demonstrate how to set up swarm, configure managers, add nodes, and setup the backup schedule
Security and Access
User and team managementCertificate-based authentication
- Describe and demonstrate how to create and manage user and teams
- Describe and demonstrate how to use certificate-based client-server authentication
- Describe the use of namespaces, cgroups, and certificate configuration
Enterprise Deployment
UCP and DTR deploymentBackup and recovery
- Describe and demonstrate the steps to deploy the Docker engine, UCP, and DTR on AWS and on-premises in an HA configuration
- Describe and demonstrate how to configure backups for UCP and DTR
4
Networking
15%
Container Network Model
Network architectureBuilt-in network drivers
- Describe the Container Network Model and how it interfaces with the Docker engine and network and IPAM drivers
- Describe the different types and use cases for the built-in network drivers
Network Configuration
Bridge networksPort publishing
- Describe and demonstrate how to create a Docker bridge network
- Describe and demonstrate how to publish a port
- Identify which IP and port a container is externally accessible on
- Compare and contrast 'host' and 'ingress' publishing modes
Advanced Networking
Overlay networks and load balancingExternal DNS and traffic flow
- Describe and demonstrate how to configure Docker to use external DNS
- Describe and demonstrate how to use Docker to load balance HTTP/HTTPS traffic
- Describe the types of traffic that flow between the Docker engine, registry, and UCP controllers
- Describe and demonstrate how to deploy a service on a Docker overlay network
Kubernetes Networking
Kubernetes network model
- Describe how to route traffic to Kubernetes pods using ClusterIP and NodePort services
- Describe the Kubernetes' container network model
5
Security
15%
Security Fundamentals
Security administrationMTLS and identity
- Describe security administration and tasks
- Describe the process of signing an image
- Describe default engine security
- Describe swarm default security
- Describe MTLS
- Describe identity roles
UCP and DTR Security
UCP security configurationDTR security and scanning
- Compare and contrast UCP workers and managers
- Describe the process to use external certificates with UCP and DTR
- Describe and demonstrate that an image passes a security scan
- Describe and demonstrate how to enable Docker Content Trust
- Describe and demonstrate how to create UCP client bundles
Access Control
RBAC and LDAP integration
- Describe and demonstrate how to configure RBAC with UCP
- Describe and demonstrate how to integrate UCP with LDAP/AD
6
Storage and Volumes
10%
Storage Drivers
Graph drivers and OS compatibilityStorage types
- Identify the correct graph drivers to use with various operating systems
- Describe and demonstrate how to configure devicemapper
- Compare and contrast object and block storage and when they should be used
Volumes and Persistent Storage
Docker volumesLayer management
- Describe how an application is composed of layers and where these layers reside on the filesystem
- Describe the use of volumes with Docker for persistent storage
- Identify the steps to take to clean up unused images on a filesystem and DTR
- Describe and demonstrate how storage can be used across cluster nodes
Kubernetes Storage
Persistent volumes in Kubernetes
- Describe how to provision persistent storage to a Kubernetes pod using persistentVolumes
- Describe the relationship between container storage interface drivers, storageClass, persistentVolumeClaim and volume objects
How do I earn this certification?
Passing DCA earns the Docker Certified Associate certification. It sits in the Container and Cloud Native track.
Next Level Options
- CKA - Certified Kubernetes AdministratorNatural progression to Kubernetes orchestration
- CKAD - Certified Kubernetes Application Developer Focus on Kubernetes application development
- CKS - Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist Advanced container security (requires CKA first)
Alternative Paths
- AWS-SAA - AWS Certified Solutions Architect - AssociateContainer deployment on AWS
- AZ-104 - Microsoft Azure AdministratorContainer services on Azure
- GCP-ACE - Google Cloud Associate Cloud EngineerContainer deployment on GCP
- HashiCorp Terraform - HashiCorp Certified: Terraform Associate Container infrastructure automation
- Red Hat DO180 - Red Hat OpenShift I: Containers & Kubernetes Enterprise Kubernetes platform
Practice with Precision
The PlanetCert Simulator mirrors the real exam environment with authentic questions and timed pressure.
How to study for this exam?
The most effective way to prepare for DCA is by using the PlanetCert Simulator to practice questions and review detailed explanations.
What's changed on this exam?
Current Status
- ACTIVE
- Last content update: 2025-01
Updates
- Kubernetes 1.29 Kubernetes content significantly increased in recent exam updates • Release date: 2024-12-13
- Docker Engine 25.0 Core Docker Engine features remain fundamental to exam • Release date: 2024-01-19
- Docker Compose 2.24 Compose v2 syntax and features now standard in exam • Release date: 2024-12-20
Who should take this exam?
This exam is typically taken by DevOps Engineers and System Administrators.
- 6-12 months hands-on Docker experience
- Experience with Docker Enterprise Edition
- Basic Linux command-line knowledge
- Understanding of container security
- Familiarity with at least one cloud provider
- Experience with configuration management tools
- Linux and/or Windows Server experience