This XK0-005 practice question tests your understanding of scripting, containers and automation. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 Linux administrator needs to automate daily database backups and ensure the job runs even if the system is rebooted. Which approach should be used?
Schedule the backup using the at command.
Why wrong: at is for one-time, not recurring.
Add a cron job in /etc/crontab.
Why wrong: Cron doesn't handle missed runs after reboot.
Create a systemd timer unit that triggers a service.
Timers can catch up after reboot.
Use anacron to run the job daily.
Why wrong: Anacron is fine but systemd timers are preferred for modern systems.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Create a systemd timer unit that triggers a service.
A systemd timer unit is the correct approach because it can be configured to trigger a service unit (e.g., a backup script) on a daily schedule, and systemd ensures that timers persist across reboots and will catch up on missed runs if the system was down. This provides reliable, dependency-aware scheduling integrated with the init system, unlike cron which may miss jobs during downtime.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Schedule the backup using the at command.
Why it's wrong here
at is for one-time, not recurring.
Add a cron job in /etc/crontab.
Why it's wrong here
Cron doesn't handle missed runs after reboot.
Create a systemd timer unit that triggers a service.
Why this is correct
Timers can catch up after reboot.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Use anacron to run the job daily.
Why it's wrong here
Anacron is fine but systemd timers are preferred for modern systems.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often default to cron (option B) for recurring tasks, but the requirement 'even if the system is rebooted' specifically tests knowledge of systemd timers' persistent and catch-up capabilities, which cron lacks.
Detailed technical explanation
A systemd timer unit uses `OnCalendar=` directives for scheduling and can include `Persistent=true` to trigger missed jobs immediately after the system boots if the timer was missed during downtime. The timer activates a corresponding service unit (e.g., `backup.service`), which runs the backup script with full systemd resource control and logging via journald, making it more robust than cron for critical tasks.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the XK0-005 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
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FAQ
Scripting, Containers and Automation — This question tests Scripting, Containers and Automation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Create a systemd timer unit that triggers a service. — A systemd timer unit is the correct approach because it can be configured to trigger a service unit (e.g., a backup script) on a daily schedule, and systemd ensures that timers persist across reboots and will catch up on missed runs if the system was down. This provides reliable, dependency-aware scheduling integrated with the init system, unlike cron which may miss jobs during downtime.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 25, 2026
This XK0-005 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the XK0-005 exam.
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