- A
lsof -iTCP -sTCP:LISTEN
Why wrong: Lsof can show listening ports but the question asks for the ss command specifically.
- B
nmap -sT localhost
Why wrong: Nmap is a scanner, not the standard tool for local listening ports.
- C
netstat -tlnp
Why wrong: Netstat is deprecated; ss is the modern replacement.
- D
ss -tlnp
Correctly shows listening TCP ports with process info.
Question 270 of 1,000
XK0-005 Troubleshooting Practice Question
This XK0-005 practice question tests your understanding of troubleshooting. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 check the listening TCP ports on a server. Which command should be used to view only listening TCP ports and the associated processes?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"which command"Why it matters: Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
ss -tlnp
Option D is correct because the `ss -tlnp` command displays only TCP sockets (`-t`), listening sockets (`-l`), numeric addresses/ports (`-n`), and the associated process information (`-p`). This is the modern replacement for `netstat` and is the most direct way to view listening TCP ports and their processes on a Linux system.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
lsof -iTCP -sTCP:LISTEN
Why it's wrong here
Lsof can show listening ports but the question asks for the ss command specifically.
- ✗
nmap -sT localhost
Why it's wrong here
Nmap is a scanner, not the standard tool for local listening ports.
- ✗
netstat -tlnp
Why it's wrong here
Netstat is deprecated; ss is the modern replacement.
- ✓
ss -tlnp
Why this is correct
Correctly shows listening TCP ports with process info.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "which command" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often choose `netstat -tlnp` (option C) because it is a familiar legacy command, but the exam expects knowledge of the modern `ss` utility, which is the recommended tool on current Linux distributions and is more likely to be available by default.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Lsof can show listening ports but the question asks for the ss command specifically.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The `ss` command reads socket information directly from the `/proc/net/tcp` and `/proc/net/tcp6` files, making it faster and more lightweight than `netstat`, which parses multiple `/proc` entries. The `-p` flag uses the `SO_PEERCRED` socket option and `/proc` to map sockets to their owning processes, which can fail if the process terminates before `ss` reads the information. In real-world scenarios, `ss` is preferred for scripting and automation because its output is more consistent and parsable across different Linux distributions.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
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
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
- →
Troubleshooting — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this XK0-005 question test?
Troubleshooting — This question tests Troubleshooting — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: ss -tlnp — Option D is correct because the `ss -tlnp` command displays only TCP sockets (`-t`), listening sockets (`-l`), numeric addresses/ports (`-n`), and the associated process information (`-p`). This is the modern replacement for `netstat` and is the most direct way to view listening TCP ports and their processes on a Linux system.
What should I do if I get this XK0-005 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "which command". Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 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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