SK0-005 server-hardware-installation-management — Timed 25 Questions

Question 1

A server with a RAID 5 array of four disks reports a degraded logical drive. The technician replaces the failed disk and rebuilds the array. After the rebuild completes, the array is still degraded. Which of the following is the most likely cause?

Accepted Answer

The replacement disk has a different rotational speed than the other disks. In a RAID 5 array, all disks must operate at the same rotational speed (RPM) to maintain synchronized performance and proper rebuild operations. If a replacement disk has a different rotational speed, the RAID controller may refuse to fully integrate it into the array, leaving the logical drive in a degraded state even after the rebuild process appears to complete. This is because the controller expects uniform timing and performance characteristics across all member disks to ensure data integrity and consistent I/O operations.

Answer

The replacement disk is assigned a different drive letter in the OS

Answer

The RAID controller firmware is outdated

Answer

The replacement disk is missing a partition table

Question 2

A server logged the warning shown in the exhibit. Which of the following should the technician check first?

Accepted Answer

The processor cooling fan. Option C is correct because the warning indicates high processor temperature, which is often caused by a failed or inadequate cooling fan for the CPU. Option A is wrong because the thermal paste would not cause a sudden temperature change; it's a more gradual issue. Option B is wrong while power supply issues can cause overheating, the more direct cause is the CPU fan. Option D is wrong because ambient temperature might be a factor but checking the CPU fan is a more immediate and likely cause.

Answer

The power supply voltage to the processor

Answer

The ambient temperature of the data center

Answer

The thermal paste between the heatsink and processor

Question 3

A server has four memory slots on two channels (A and B). Currently, DIMM_A1 and DIMM_A2 are populated with 8 GB DDR4-2666 modules each. To maximize performance and capacity, which memory configuration should be added?

Accepted Answer

Add two 8 GB DDR4-2666 modules to DIMM_B1 and DIMM_B2. To maximize performance and capacity, you should populate all memory channels equally and use identical modules. Adding two 8 GB DDR4-2666 modules to DIMM_B1 and DIMM_B2 will fill both channels (A and B) with two modules each, enabling dual-channel operation and increasing total capacity to 32 GB. Using the same speed (2666) ensures compatibility and optimal performance.

Answer

Add two 8 GB DDR4-2400 modules to channel B

Answer

Add one 8 GB DDR4-2666 module to DIMM_B1

Answer

Add one 16 GB DDR4-2666 module to DIMM_B1

Question 4

You are a server administrator at a mid-sized company that hosts its own on-premises Exchange server and file server. The infrastructure consists of three racks: Rack A contains the core switches and firewalls, Rack B contains the Exchange server (Dell PowerEdge R740) and the file server (HP ProLiant DL380 Gen10), and Rack C contains backup devices and a tape library. The data center cooling is provided by a raised-floor system with perforated tiles. Recently, the file server has been experiencing random shutdowns during peak usage hours (10 AM to 2 PM). The shutdowns are preceded by system event log warnings indicating that the CPU temperature has exceeded the threshold. The ambient temperature around the rack is 20°C (68°F) as measured by a handheld thermometer. Other servers in Rack B do not exhibit this behavior. The file server is a 2U server with two Xeon processors, 128 GB RAM, and six hot-swap SATA drives. It runs Windows Server 2019. The server has been in service for three years with no prior issues. The data center manager has noted that the perforated tiles are clear of obstructions. You have verified that the fans in the file server are spinning and the internal air filters are clean. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause of the overheating issue?

Accepted Answer

The perforated tile under the file server has insufficient airflow due to cable blockage below the raised floor.. The file server is a 2U server with two Xeon processors and six drives, generating significant heat, and it is the only server in Rack B experiencing shutdowns. The ambient temperature at the rack is a normal 20°C, and the perforated tiles are clear at the surface, but cable blockage below the raised floor can restrict the cold air plenum, starving that specific tile of airflow. This localized airflow deficiency under the file server is the most likely cause of its CPU overheating while other servers remain fine.

Answer

The ambient temperature sensor in the data center is reporting incorrectly and the actual temperature is higher.

Answer

The internal fans are not operating at full speed due to a failed fan controller.

Answer

The file server's power supply is failing and causing voltage drops that affect fan performance.

Question 5

A server has been randomly rebooting several times a day with no pattern. The administrator reviews the IPMI System Event Log and finds multiple 'Correctable ECC error' entries for DIMM slot B2. The server memory is configured with 16 DIMMs of the same type and manufacturer, all recently installed. What should the administrator do FIRST to resolve this issue?

Accepted Answer

Replace the DIMM in slot B2 with an identical spare.. Correctable ECC errors indicate a failing or marginal memory module. The first step is to replace the DIMM showing errors. Option A is wrong because reseating does not guarantee the errors will stop, and the DIMM is likely faulty. Option C is wrong because while increasing voltage might help with stability, it is not recommended as a first fix and could void warranty. Option D is wrong because disabling ECC removes error correction but does not fix the underlying hardware fault.

Answer

Disable ECC in the firmware to prevent the module from reporting errors.

Answer

Reseat the DIMM in slot B2 and run a memory diagnostic test.

Answer

Increase the DRAM voltage slightly in the BIOS/UEFI to improve stability.

Question 6

A server configured with dual redundant power supplies unexpectedly shuts down when one power supply fails. Both power supplies are rated for the server's total load and were functioning before the failure. What is the MOST likely reason for the shutdown?

Accepted Answer

Redundant mode was not configured in the server management settings. Dual power supplies only provide redundancy if the server's power management is configured for redundant (1+1) mode rather than combined/load-sharing mode. In combined mode, both PSUs share the load, and if one fails the remaining PSU may not be able to carry the full load instantaneously, causing a shutdown. The most likely cause given that both PSUs were rated for total load and functioning is that redundant mode was not enabled in the server management settings (iDRAC, iLO, or equivalent).

Answer

The power supplies were not hot‑swappable

Answer

The failed power supply had a higher wattage rating than the remaining one

Answer

The power supplies were from different manufacturers

Question 7

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 8

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

Accepted Answer

Degraded. The RAID array is in a Degraded state, which occurs when one or more drives in a redundant array have failed but the array is still operational and serving data. The exhibit output shows a failed member drive while the logical volume remains accessible, which is the textbook definition of Degraded.

Answer

Rebuilding

Answer

Healthy

Answer

Failed

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 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. In an LACP team, the aggregate throughput is limited by the load-balancing algorithm. If the algorithm is based on a single flow (e.g., source/destination IP or MAC), all traffic from a single file transfer may use only one link, resulting in throughput of about 1 Gbps, not 2 Gbps. However, the observed 2 Gbps suggests that two links are being used, but not all four. The administrator should first verify the load-balancing algorithm to ensure it distributes traffic across all available links.

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 11

A small business relies on a tower server that acts as a file and print server for 15 employees. The server has a single Intel Xeon E-2300 series processor, four 16GB DDR4 ECC RDIMMs installed in dual-channel configuration, and two 2TB 7200 RPM SATA hard drives in a hardware RAID 1 mirror. The power supply unit (PSU) is a 500W 80+ Bronze unit that is about four years old. Recently, the server has started experiencing random, intermittent crashes resulting in a blue screen, typically during periods of heavy disk I/O, such as when multiple users access large files. Event Viewer logs show occasional corrected memory errors (ECC events) but no uncorrected errors. The administrator runs MemTest86+ on all four DIMMs for multiple passes, and no errors are detected. The server room ambient temperature is normal, and all fans are operating. The crashes are becoming more frequent. Which of the following actions would MOST likely resolve the underlying issue?

Accepted Answer

Upgrade the power supply to a higher wattage, 80+ Gold unit. The symptoms — random crashes under heavy disk I/O, corrected ECC events in Event Viewer, and MemTest86+ passing cleanly — point to a degrading power supply rather than faulty RAM. A four-year-old 500W 80+ Bronze PSU with aging capacitors can no longer deliver stable voltage under the transient load spikes that occur when multiple drives spin up and CPUs ramp during heavy I/O, causing the BSODs. Replacing it with a higher-wattage, higher-efficiency (80+ Gold) unit restores clean, stable power delivery and resolves the intermittent crashes.

Answer

Reseat all memory modules and clean the DIMM slots

Answer

Replace the hard drives with solid-state drives (SSDs)

Answer

Replace the motherboard, as the memory controller is likely failing

Question 12

A server has been intermittently crashing, and the system logs repeatedly show 'Machine Check Exception (MCE) errors' referencing a specific CPU core. The server is under warranty. The technician suspects a hardware fault. Which of the following actions should be taken FIRST to resolve the issue while minimizing downtime?

Accepted Answer

Run a diagnostic stress test to confirm the CPU failure.. Running a diagnostic stress test first confirms the CPU fault without immediately replacing hardware, which minimizes downtime and avoids unnecessary part swaps. Since the server is under warranty, confirming the failure with diagnostics provides evidence for a warranty claim and ensures the correct component is replaced. This is the standard first step in hardware troubleshooting before physical intervention.

Answer

Update the server's firmware and device drivers to the latest versions.

Answer

Disable the faulty CPU core in the BIOS and continue monitoring.

Answer

Replace the CPU with a known-good unit immediately.

Question 13

A technician is upgrading a server that currently has two 600GB 15K RPM SAS drives in a RAID 1 array. The goal is to increase storage capacity while maintaining redundancy and minimizing downtime. The server has four empty hot-swap drive bays. Which of the following should the technician do?

Accepted Answer

Add two additional SAS drives and migrate the array to RAID 5.. Adding two drives and migrating to RAID 5 uses all four bays and existing drives to increase capacity while maintaining redundancy. Online RAID level migration on a hardware controller allows this with minimal downtime. The other options either do not increase capacity, do not maintain a single redundant volume, or require unnecessary downtime and hardware.

Answer

Replace one drive at a time with a larger SAS drive and allow the array to rebuild.

Answer

Back up the data, delete the existing array, install four new larger drives, and create a RAID 5 array.

Answer

Add two additional SAS drives and create a separate RAID 1 array, then span the volumes.

Question 14

A server administrator is diagnosing a newly installed server that intermittently reboots under heavy load. The server has redundant power supplies connected to separate PDUs. Which of the following should the administrator verify? (Choose two.)

Accepted Answer

The power supplies are fully seated and the power cords are secure.. Intermittent reboots under heavy load often stem from power delivery issues. Each redundant power supply must be able to handle the full server load, and physical connections must be secure to prevent momentary power loss. Verifying these two factors addresses the most likely causes before considering firmware or load-balancing settings.

Answer

The power supplies are operating in a load-balanced or active/active configuration.

Answer

The power supplies are connected to the same PDU for load balancing.

Answer

The power supply firmware is up to date.

Question 15

A technician is preparing to replace a faulty hard drive in a server that uses a hardware RAID controller. The server is running a critical database and must remain online. Which of the following should the technician do first?

Accepted Answer

Verify the replacement drive is on the hardware compatibility list (HCL).. The first step is to verify the replacement drive is on the hardware compatibility list to ensure it will work with the RAID controller. This prevents rebuild issues and maintains server uptime. Backups, while important, are secondary when the array is still redundant and the server must stay online. Powering down or deleting the drive logically would be disruptive or harmful.

Answer

Perform a full backup of the database.

Answer

Power down the server to safely replace the drive.

Answer

Delete the failed drive from the RAID configuration.

Question 16

A technician is installing a new server into a rack that has limited vertical space. The server's rail kit includes both tooled and tool-less mounting options. The rack has square holes with cage nuts already installed. Which of the following should the technician use to secure the server rails?

Accepted Answer

Tooled rails secured with screws into the cage nuts. When cage nuts are already installed in a square-hole rack, the correct method is to use tooled rails and secure them with screws into those cage nuts. This provides a solid, reliable mount and leverages the existing hardware. Tool-less options are not appropriate here because the cage nuts occupy the holes and may interfere with the rail's locking mechanism.

Answer

Tool-less rails that clip directly into the square holes

Answer

Tool-less rails after removing the cage nuts

Answer

Tooled rails with self-tapping screws directly into the square holes

Question 17

A technician is installing a new 2U rack server that uses 2.5-inch NVMe U.2 drives in the front bays and a single RAID controller card. After cabling the drives to the backplane, the technician must connect the backplane to the RAID controller. Which of the following connections should the technician use to ensure all drives are visible to the controller?

Accepted Answer

Connect the backplane to the RAID controller using a mini-SAS HD (SFF-8643) cable.. A 2U server backplane aggregates multiple drive connections into a single high-density port, so the correct cabling is an internal mini-SAS HD cable from the backplane to the RAID controller. This allows the controller to detect and manage every installed drive. Individual SATA cables or external SAS paths do not match the backplane connector or the internal topology of this chassis.

Answer

Connect the backplane to the RAID controller using a standard SATA data cable.

Answer

Connect the backplane to the RAID controller using an external SAS cable routed through a PCIe slot bracket.

Answer

Connect each drive directly to a SATA port on the motherboard.

Question 18

A technician is preparing to add four new hot-swap SAS drives to an existing 2U server that currently has six drives in a RAID 10 array. The server has been running continuously for two years in a data center with proper cooling and no prior hardware failures. Before performing the installation, which of the following should the technician do FIRST to maintain data integrity and follow best practices?

Accepted Answer

Back up the existing RAID configuration and verify the backup is restorable. Before modifying storage hardware, the technician must ensure a recent, verified backup exists. Adding drives can trigger controller reconfiguration, backplane issues, or accidental array changes. A tested backup provides a fallback if the operation fails. Other steps like firmware updates or consistency checks are useful but do not replace the foundational data protection step.

Answer

Power down the server and physically inspect the drive bays for damage

Answer

Update the RAID controller firmware to the latest version

Answer

Run a consistency check on the existing RAID 10 array

Question 19

A systems administrator is configuring a new server with four identical 16GB RDIMMs in a motherboard that supports quad-channel memory. The administrator installs the modules in slots A1, A2, B1, and B2, but the system BIOS reports only 32GB of usable memory and posts a memory configuration warning. Which of the following is the most likely cause?

Accepted Answer

The modules were installed in the wrong slot population order for quad-channel operation. On a quad-channel platform, the first DIMM in each set must go into a different channel so all four channels are populated. Installing pairs into adjacent slots of the same channel leaves channels empty and can cause the BIOS to disable half the modules, producing the reduced capacity and configuration warning described.

Answer

The memory modules are ECC RDIMMs and the motherboard only supports UDIMMs

Answer

The BIOS memory remap feature is disabled, hiding memory above 4GB

Answer

The RDIMMs are not on the motherboard's qualified vendor list

Question 20

A server administrator is planning to install a new PCIe SSD into a server to improve database performance. The server has available PCIe 3.0 x8 slots. Which of the following should the administrator verify before installation? (Choose two.)

Accepted Answer

The server's firmware and driver support for the specific PCIe SSD model. The administrator must verify firmware/driver support and physical slot compatibility. Firmware and drivers ensure the SSD is recognized and functions correctly. Physical slot length and height ensure the card fits without obstruction. Other factors like power connectors or RAID cache battery are not relevant to PCIe SSD installation.

Answer

The availability of an empty memory slot for caching

Answer

The server's RAID controller cache battery status

Answer

The server's power supply wattage and available power connectors