Grading Checklist

• Identifies finalizers on the PV as the reason it is stuck in Terminating.
• Explains the Kubernetes finalizer mechanism: objects with finalizers cannot be deleted until finalizers are removed.
• Uses kubectl get pv <name> -o yaml to inspect the finalizers list.
• Identifies the specific finalizer (e.g., kubernetes.io/pv-protection or a CSI external-provisioner finalizer).
• Checks if a VolumeAttachment still exists for this PV.
• Verifies no pods or PVCs are still referencing the PV before removing finalizers.
• Demonstrates removing the finalizer with kubectl patch.
• Warns about the risk of removing finalizers: the underlying storage may not be cleaned up.
• Mentions checking the CSI driver pod logs for errors that prevent the finalizer from being cleared.
• Notes the difference between Retain, Delete, and Recycle reclaim policies.
• Suggests cleaning up the underlying cloud storage resource manually if using Retain policy.
• Recommends investigating why the CSI controller did not process the finalizer automatically.