The answer is that the RAID array has not been initialized. While the three 2 TB drives are detected individually by the system, a RAID 5 volume must be explicitly created and initialized within the RAID controller’s BIOS or configuration utility before the operating system can recognize it as a single logical drive. This is a common oversight because technicians often assume that simply connecting the drives and enabling RAID in the BIOS is sufficient, but the controller requires a separate step to define the array type, stripe size, and then commit the configuration. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this question tests your understanding of the RAID setup workflow, specifically that detection of individual drives does not equal a functional array. A frequent trap is confusing physical detection with logical initialization—remember that RAID is a software-defined layer on top of hardware. Memory tip: “Drives spin, but RAID won’t win until you initialize within.”
220-1201 Storage and RAID Troubleshooting Practice Question
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of storage and raid troubleshooting. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A technician is configuring a RAID 5 array with three 2 TB hard drives for a small office server. After installation, the array is not recognized by the RAID controller. The drives spin up and are detected individually. What is the most likely oversight?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The RAID array has not been initialized.
RAID 5 requires a minimum of three drives. The drives are detected individually, so the issue is with the RAID configuration itself. The most common oversight is failing to initialize the array in the RAID controller BIOS.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
The drives are not compatible with RAID 5.
Why it's wrong here
Most modern SATA drives support RAID 5; compatibility is rarely an issue.
✓
The RAID array has not been initialized.
Why this is correct
After physically connecting drives, the array must be created and initialized in the RAID controller's utility before the OS can see it.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
The SATA cables are faulty.
Why it's wrong here
Faulty cables would prevent individual drive detection.
✗
The power supply is insufficient.
Why it's wrong here
Insufficient power might cause drives to not spin up, but they are detected individually.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
→Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
→Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
→Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 220-1201 question in full detail.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related 220-1201 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Storage and RAID Troubleshooting — This question tests Storage and RAID Troubleshooting — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The RAID array has not been initialized. — RAID 5 requires a minimum of three drives. The drives are detected individually, so the issue is with the RAID configuration itself. The most common oversight is failing to initialize the array in the RAID controller BIOS.
What should I do if I get this 220-1201 question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related 220-1201 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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Question Discussion
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