hardMultiple Choice
XK0-006 Practice Question: A Linux server experiences intermittent network…
A Linux server experiences intermittent network connectivity issues. The administrator suspects a duplex mismatch. Which tool can best confirm duplex and speed settings on a network interface?
⚠ Common exam trap
It's easy for candidates to confuse `ip link show` (which shows link state but not speed/duplex) with `ethtool` (which provides the actual negotiated parameters), leading them to pick option C because they think 'ip' is the modern replacement for all interface queries.
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
✓
ethtool eth0
`ethtool eth0` is the standard Linux utility for querying and controlling network interface driver and hardware settings, including negotiated speed and duplex mode. It directly displays the current link status, speed (e.g., 1000Mb/s), and duplex (full/half), making it the best tool to confirm a duplex mismatch.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
mii-tool eth0
Why it's wrong here
mii-tool queries the obsolete MII register interface, which many modern gigabit and 10GbE drivers no longer expose, so it reports 'no MII transceiver' rather than the negotiated duplex. It is tempting because it was the classic tool for exactly this check on older 10/100 NICs.
- ✗
dmesg | grep eth0
Why it's wrong here
dmesg only logs kernel ring-buffer messages, so it shows link events already recorded, not the interface's current negotiated duplex and speed. It is tempting because driver messages often mention link up/down at boot, which would help diagnose a NIC that failed to initialise.
- ✗
ip link show eth0
Why it's wrong here
ip link show reports administrative and operational state plus MTU and MAC, but not the negotiated duplex or speed, which live in ethtool output. It is tempting because it is the standard modern interface-inspection command and does display link carrier status, so administrators reach for it first.
- ✓
ethtool eth0
Why this is correct
ethtool queries the NIC driver directly, reporting the negotiated speed and duplex plus advertised and supported modes, which confirms a mismatch. Unlike ip or ifconfig, it exposes duplex settings, satisfying the requirement to verify speed and duplex on eth0.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Linux Fundamentals and History
Key term
Utility
Utility, in IT service management, is the measure of a service's functionality that ensures it is fit for purpose by meeting the specific needs of the customer.
Key term
Linux
Linux is an open-source operating system that manages computer hardware and software, widely used in servers, desktops, and embedded systems.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This XK0-006 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 XK0-006 exam.