VMware Certified Professional - Tanzu for Kubernetes Operations Study Guide: Everything You Need to Know 2025
Your complete roadmap to passing the 2V0-71.23 certification exam. This comprehensive study guide covers all 4 exam domains with detailed explanations, study tips, and practice resources.
Quick Start
Essential steps to begin your preparation
Review Exam Objectives
View all domains →Take Assessment Quiz
Free practice test →Follow Study Plan
8-week roadmap →Full Practice Exams
Start practicing →Exam Domains & Objectives
Master these 4 domains to pass the 2V0-71.23 exam
Tanzu Kubernetes Grid Architecture and Components
Deploying and Managing Kubernetes Clusters
Kubernetes Operations and Troubleshooting
Security, Networking, and Storage
8-Week Study Plan
Follow this structured plan to prepare for your VMware Certified Professional - Tanzu for Kubernetes Operations exam
Foundation
Understand core concepts and exam objectives
Focus Areas:
- Tanzu Kubernetes Grid Architecture and Components
- Deploying and Managing Kubernetes Clusters
Deep Dive
Master advanced topics and practical applications
Focus Areas:
- Kubernetes Operations and Troubleshooting
- Security, Networking, and Storage
Practice & Review
Take practice exams and review weak areas
Focus Areas:
Final Prep
Full practice exams and last-minute review
Focus Areas:
- Full-length practice tests
- Review all domains
Curated Study Resources
AI-curated resources with real links to help you prepare for the VMware Certified Professional - Tanzu for Kubernetes Operations exam
Complete Study Guide for VMware Certified Professional - Tanzu for Kubernetes Operations (2V0-71.23)
The VMware Certified Professional - Tanzu for Kubernetes Operations certification validates your skills in deploying, managing, and operating Kubernetes clusters using VMware Tanzu Kubernetes Grid. This professional-level certification demonstrates expertise in modern container orchestration, cloud-native application deployment, and Kubernetes operations within VMware environments.
Who Should Take This Exam
- Kubernetes administrators managing Tanzu environments
- Cloud operations engineers working with VMware infrastructure
- DevOps engineers implementing container platforms
- IT professionals transitioning to cloud-native technologies
- System administrators expanding into Kubernetes operations
Prerequisites
- Understanding of Kubernetes fundamentals and architecture
- Basic knowledge of VMware vSphere infrastructure
- Familiarity with container technologies (Docker, containerd)
- Experience with Linux command line and system administration
- Understanding of networking concepts (DNS, load balancing, ingress)
- Basic knowledge of YAML and JSON configuration formats
Official Resources
VMware Learning - Certification Overview
Official VMware certification portal with exam details, requirements, and registration information
View ResourceVMware Tanzu Kubernetes Grid Documentation
Comprehensive official documentation for Tanzu Kubernetes Grid, covering installation, configuration, and management
View ResourceVMware Tanzu Kubernetes Grid Release Notes
Latest release notes, new features, and known issues for TKG
View ResourceVMware Tanzu Operations Reference Architecture
Architecture guidelines and best practices for Tanzu deployments
View ResourceVMware Hands-on Labs - Tanzu
Free hands-on labs for practicing Tanzu Kubernetes Grid operations
View ResourceVMware Tech Zone - Tanzu Resources
Technical documentation, demos, and learning resources for VMware Tanzu products
View ResourceRecommended Courses
VMware Tanzu Kubernetes Grid: Install Configure Manage
VMware Education • 24 hours
View CourseRecommended Books
Kubernetes: Up and Running
by Brendan Burns, Joe Beda, Kelsey Hightower
Comprehensive guide to Kubernetes fundamentals, essential for understanding the underlying platform of TKG
View on AmazonKubernetes in Action, Second Edition
by Marko Luksa
Deep dive into Kubernetes operations and advanced concepts critical for TKG administration
View on AmazonThe Kubernetes Book
by Nigel Poulton
Practical guide to Kubernetes with hands-on examples applicable to TKG environments
View on AmazonProduction Kubernetes
by Josh Rosso, Rich Lander, Alex Brand, John Harris
Best practices for running Kubernetes in production, directly applicable to TKG operations
View on AmazonKubernetes Security and Observability
by Brendan Creane, Amit Gupta
Covers security and monitoring aspects essential for the security domain of the exam
View on AmazonPractice & Hands-On Resources
VMware Hands-on Labs - Tanzu Kubernetes Grid
Free hands-on labs provided by VMware for practicing TKG deployment and management without needing your own infrastructure
View ResourceKillercoda Kubernetes Playground
Free interactive Kubernetes environments for practicing kubectl and cluster operations
View ResourceKubernetes Official Interactive Tutorial
Free hands-on Kubernetes tutorials covering basic to advanced concepts
View ResourceVMware Tanzu Developer Center
Practical guides, tutorials, and sample applications for Tanzu platforms
View ResourceKind (Kubernetes in Docker)
Free local Kubernetes cluster tool for practicing cluster operations on your own machine
View ResourceVMware Tech Zone Sandbox
Pre-configured VMware environments for hands-on practice with Tanzu products
View ResourceCommunity & Forums
VMware Tanzu Community Edition GitHub
Official GitHub repositories with documentation, issues, and community contributions
Join Communityr/kubernetes
Active Reddit community for Kubernetes discussions, troubleshooting, and best practices
Join Communityr/vmware
VMware-focused community with Tanzu discussions and certification advice
Join CommunityVMware Technology Network (VMTN) Community
Official VMware forums for technical discussions, certification advice, and troubleshooting
Join CommunityKubernetes Slack
Official Kubernetes Slack workspace with channels for various topics including VMware Tanzu
Join CommunityVMware Cloud Native Blog
Official blog with technical deep-dives, best practices, and product updates
Join CommunityTGI Kubernetes YouTube Series
Weekly video series covering Kubernetes topics and demos
Join CommunityStudy Tips
Hands-On Practice
- Build a home lab using VMware Workstation, vSphere, or cloud infrastructure to practice TKG deployments
- Deploy management and workload clusters repeatedly until the process becomes second nature
- Practice cluster lifecycle operations including upgrades, scaling, and disaster recovery
- Intentionally break clusters and practice troubleshooting to understand failure modes
- Create scenarios that cover all exam domains in your lab environment
Command Line Mastery
- Master the TKG CLI (tanzu) and all its subcommands, especially for cluster management
- Become proficient with kubectl for diagnostics: get, describe, logs, exec, events
- Practice using kubectl with various output formats (-o yaml, -o json, -o wide)
- Learn to use grep, jq, and other command-line tools for filtering and parsing output
- Create command cheat sheets for quick reference during practice sessions
Documentation Focus
- The VMware Tanzu Kubernetes Grid documentation is your primary study resource - read it thoroughly
- Focus on the 'Concepts' and 'Tasks' sections for each major component
- Bookmark and review troubleshooting sections regularly
- Study the architecture diagrams and understand component interactions
- Read release notes to understand new features and changes in recent versions
Kubernetes Foundation
- Ensure strong Kubernetes fundamentals as TKG builds on core Kubernetes concepts
- Understand pod lifecycle, deployment strategies, and service types thoroughly
- Master namespace concepts and resource isolation
- Learn Kubernetes networking model including services, ingress, and network policies
- Study persistent volume and storage class concepts deeply
Scenario-Based Learning
- Practice common operational scenarios: cluster upgrade, node replacement, certificate rotation
- Work through security scenarios: implementing RBAC, configuring pod security, network policies
- Practice troubleshooting scenarios: failed cluster creation, pod crashes, networking issues
- Simulate production operations like backup/restore and disaster recovery
- Time yourself on tasks to build speed and efficiency
Exam Domain Weighting
- Allocate study time based on exam weights: 30% on Deploying/Managing, 25% each on Architecture and Operations
- Focus heavily on practical cluster deployment and management as it's the largest domain
- Don't neglect the 20% Security/Networking/Storage domain as it's frequently challenging
- Ensure you can configure and troubleshoot all aspects of cluster lifecycle
- Review architecture concepts regularly as they underpin all other domains
Community Engagement
- Join VMware Tanzu community forums and ask questions about unclear concepts
- Participate in Kubernetes and Tanzu Slack channels for real-world insights
- Follow VMware Tanzu blogs and technical articles for best practices
- Connect with others studying for the same certification to share resources
- Review common exam topics discussed in certification forums
Exam Day Tips
- 1The exam is 130 minutes with 60 questions - that's just over 2 minutes per question, so pace yourself carefully
- 2Read each question completely and carefully; VMware exams often include scenario-based questions with important details
- 3Flag difficult questions and return to them after completing easier ones to maximize your score
- 4Look for keywords in questions that indicate what's being tested (troubleshooting, configuration, architecture)
- 5Eliminate obviously incorrect answers first to improve your odds on uncertain questions
- 6Pay attention to questions asking for 'best practice' vs 'possible solutions' - they require different answers
- 7The passing score is 300/500, which is 60% - don't panic if some questions seem difficult
- 8Watch for questions about TKG-specific features vs general Kubernetes capabilities
- 9Remember that some questions may reference specific TKG CLI commands or configuration file syntax
- 10Stay calm and trust your hands-on experience - practical knowledge is your best asset
- 11Double-check your answers before submitting, especially on scenario-based questions
- 12Take breaks if needed to maintain focus throughout the 130-minute exam duration
Study guide generated on January 7, 2026
Pro Study Tips
Expert advice to maximize your study effectiveness
Active Learning Strategies
- Hands-on practice: Apply concepts in real scenarios
- Teach others: Explain concepts to reinforce learning
- Take notes: Write summaries in your own words
Exam Day Preparation
- Get enough sleep: Rest well the night before
- Review key points: Go through your notes and cheat sheets
- Time management: Practice pacing with timed exams
Continue Your Preparation
More resources to help you succeed
Complete VMware Certified Professional - Tanzu for Kubernetes Operations Study Guide
This comprehensive study guide will help you prepare for the 2V0-71.23 certification exam offered by VMware. Whether you are a beginner or experienced professional, this guide covers everything you need to know to pass on your first attempt.
What You Will Learn
Our study guide covers all 4 exam domains in detail:
- Tanzu Kubernetes Grid Architecture and Components (25%)
- Deploying and Managing Kubernetes Clusters (30%)
- Kubernetes Operations and Troubleshooting (25%)
- Security, Networking, and Storage (20%)
Recommended Timeline
Most candidates need 6-8 weeks of dedicated study to pass the VMware Certified Professional - Tanzu for Kubernetes Operations exam. We recommend studying 1-2 hours daily and taking practice exams weekly to track your progress.
Next Step: Start with our free practice test to assess your current knowledge level.