SK0-005 Practice Test 6 — 10 Questions

Question 1

Several users report sluggish performance from a database server. The server administrator notices that the CPU fans are running at maximum speed and the baseboard management controller (BMC) reports CPU temperatures of 85°C even at idle. The administrator already cleaned dust from the chassis and verified all fans are operational. Which of the following should the administrator do NEXT?

Choose an answer to begin — your selection is scored in the full session.

Accepted Answer

Reapply thermal paste on the CPU heat sinks.. High temperatures persist after cleaning and fan checks suggest poor heat conduction between the CPU and heatsink, typically caused by dried or inadequate thermal paste.

Answer

Add additional case fans to improve airflow.

Answer

Replace the CPU fans with higher RPM models.

Answer

Increase the fan speed thresholds in the BIOS.

Question 2

A technician is installing a new 2U server into a datacenter rack. The server is equipped with redundant power supplies. According to best practices for power redundancy, how should the technician connect the power supplies?

Accepted Answer

Connect each PSU to a separate circuit. Option B is correct because connecting each power supply to a separate circuit (or separate PDUs fed by different circuits) ensures that if one circuit fails, the other keeps the server powered. Option A is wrong because connecting both to the same PDU creates a single point of failure. Option C is wrong because while a UPS is important, connecting only one PSU to a UPS defeats redundancy if the non-UPS circuit fails. Option D is wrong because operating voltages are standardized and must match the server specifications.

Answer

Connect one PSU to a UPS and the other directly to mains

Answer

Run one PSU at 110V and the other at 220V for load balancing

Answer

Connect both PSUs to the same power distribution unit (PDU)

Question 3

After a brief power outage, a server does not power on when the power button is pressed. The power supply LED indicator is green, but the internal fans do not spin and there is no video output. Which of the following is the MOST appropriate troubleshooting step?

Accepted Answer

Check that the 24-pin ATX power connector is securely connected to the motherboard.. A green LED indicates standby power is present. If the system does not fully power on, the primary power delivery from the PSU to the motherboard may be disrupted, often by a loose connector.

Answer

Test the system with a known-good CPU.

Answer

Reset the server's configuration via the CMOS jumper.

Answer

Replace the power supply.

Question 4

A server administrator needs to set up out-of-band management for a new server. Which THREE of the following are essential for successful configuration and remote access? (Choose three.)

Accepted Answer

A dedicated management network interface (e.g., iDRAC, iLO dedicated port).. Out-of-band management relies on a dedicated hardware controller (BMC), a separate network interface for remote access, and a client-side tool to interact with it.

Answer

A DHCP server configured to provide an IP to the management interface.

Answer

An installed operating system on the server.

Question 5

A server has four 1 Gbps network interface cards (NICs) configured in a Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP) team with a managed switch. The switch ports are confirmed to be correctly configured for LACP. However, during a file transfer test, the observed aggregate throughput is only about 2 Gbps. Which of the following should the administrator verify FIRST?

Accepted Answer

Examine the load-balancing algorithm on the server or switch. Option B is correct because LACP uses a load-balancing algorithm (hashing) to distribute traffic across member links. The default hash policy (e.g., Layer 2 based) may not utilize all links effectively for certain traffic patterns. Checking and adjusting the load-balancing algorithm (e.g., to Layer 2+3 or Layer 3+4) often resolves uneven distribution. Option A (drivers) could affect teaming but less likely if the team is formed. Option C (MTU) issues would typically cause fragmentation or performance problems, not simply limiting aggregate throughput. Option D (Spanning Tree) would block ports, not limit throughput. Option E (flow control) could affect performance but is not the most common cause of suboptimal LACP throughput.

Answer

Update the NIC drivers to the latest version

Answer

Verify the MTU settings on the NICs and switch

Answer

Check for Spanning Tree Protocol blockages

Question 6

Refer to the exhibit. A server technician sees the following output. What is the current status of the RAID array?

Accepted Answer

Degraded. The 'State' line clearly indicates 'clean, degraded', and one device is marked as 'removed'. The array is operational but missing a drive.

Answer

Rebuilding

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Healthy

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Failed

Question 7

A server has been experiencing random crashes and generating memory-related errors in the system event log. The technician has already run memory diagnostics which show frequent errors on a single DIMM. The server has four DIMMs installed. Which of the following is the BEST next step?

Accepted Answer

Replace the failing DIMM with a known good, matching module. With diagnostics confirming errors on a specific DIMM, the best action is to replace that faulty module. Reseating may not fix a physical failure. Updating BIOS or replacing all DIMMs is unnecessary and could be wasteful.

Answer

Update the BIOS firmware

Answer

Replace all four DIMMs to prevent future issues

Answer

Reseat all DIMMs and re-run diagnostics

Question 8

A technician is installing a new 2U server into an existing rack. The rack is fully populated with servers that use front-to-back airflow. The new server also uses front-to-back cooling. The technician notices gaps between some servers and several open rack units without equipment. To ensure optimal airflow and prevent potential thermal issues, which of the following actions should the technician take FIRST?

Accepted Answer

Install blanking panels in all unused rack spaces.. Option A is correct because installing blanking panels in unused rack spaces prevents hot air from recirculating to server intakes, maintaining proper cooling airflow. Option B is wrong because increasing fan speed only treats the symptom and wastes energy without solving recirculation. Option C is wrong because leaving gaps disrupts the designed front-to-back airflow, allowing hot air to mix with cold intake air. Option D is wrong because adding exhaust fans may interfere with the existing airflow pattern and does not directly address recirculation caused by gaps.

Answer

Install additional exhaust fans at the rear of the rack to pull hot air out.

Answer

Increase the fan speed of the new server to compensate for recirculated air.

Answer

Leave the gaps to allow passive air movement and reduce pressure.

Question 9

Refer to the exhibit. A technician reviewing the server's storage array status sees the above output. The server is using a hot spare with a RAID 5 array. What should the technician do NEXT?

Accepted Answer

Immediately replace the drive in slot 1I:1:3 to prevent data loss. A predictive failure warning means the drive is likely to fail soon. Immediate replacement prevents array degradation and possible data loss. The hot spare is activated only on actual failure; rebuilding the array to include the hot spare is not possible manually for predictive failures. Backing up is prudent but not the most urgent next step.

Answer

Run a full backup and then replace the drive

Answer

Rebuild the array to include the hot spare

Answer

Continue monitoring; the drive is still functional

Question 10

A server displays a 'CMOS battery low' error during POST. After the technician replaces the CR2032 battery with a new one, the server still loses date and time settings when disconnected from power. Which of the following should the technician try NEXT?

Accepted Answer

Verify the new battery is functional and properly seated. Option A is correct because it is possible the new battery is defective, installed incorrectly, or not making proper contact. The first step is to verify the battery itself and its installation. Option B is wrong because a faulty motherboard is possible, but troubleshooting should start with the simplest and most likely cause. Option C is wrong because power supply fluctuations are unlikely to cause CMOS settings loss specifically when unplugged. Option D is wrong because the BIOS chip retaining settings is part of the CMOS circuit, but the immediate issue is likely the power source (battery) for the CMOS.

Answer

Check the power supply for voltage fluctuations

Answer

Update the BIOS firmware

Answer

Replace the motherboard