XK0-006 Troubleshooting Practice Question
A Linux server's clock drifts by several minutes each day. The administrator runs `timedatectl` and sees that NTP synchronization is enabled but the system clock is not synchronized. The server can reach the internet, and `chronyd` is running. Which command should the administrator use to verify which NTP sources are currently reachable and their stratum levels?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is using `ntpq -p`, which is the query tool for ntpd, on a system that runs chronyd, where `chronyc` is the correct client and the two are not interchangeable.
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
✓
chronyc sources -v
With chronyd running, the correct tool to inspect configured time sources, their reachability, and stratum is `chronyc sources -v`. It queries the daemon directly and provides verbose per-source details, enabling the administrator to identify unreachable or high-stratum servers. Other commands target different NTP implementations or only report service status without source-level diagnostics.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
systemctl status chronyd
Why it's wrong here
`systemctl status chronyd` reports whether the chronyd unit is active and shows recent log lines, but it does not query the daemon for its current time sources. It cannot display reachability, stratum, or offset for each configured server. While useful for confirming the service is running, it does not provide the detailed source information needed to diagnose why synchronization is failing.
- ✗
timedatectl show-timesync
Why it's wrong here
`timedatectl show-timesync` displays properties of the systemd-timesyncd service, not chronyd. It reports the current NTP server and synchronization status but does not enumerate multiple sources or show stratum levels for each. Since the scenario specifies chronyd is running, this command would either show no data or misleading information, failing to reveal which sources are reachable and their strata.
- ✗
ntpq -p
Why it's wrong here
`ntpq -p` is the query tool for the legacy ntpd daemon, not chronyd. On a system running chronyd, ntpq may not be installed or may fail to connect to a compatible daemon. Even if present, it would not correctly interpret chronyd's control protocol, so it cannot reliably display the current sources or their stratum. The administrator should use chronyc for chronyd-based systems.
- ✓
chronyc sources -v
Why this is correct
`chronyc sources -v` queries the running chronyd daemon and lists configured time sources with their state, stratum, and reachability. The verbose flag adds details such as mode, poll interval, and last sample statistics. This directly shows whether the configured NTP servers are reachable and at what stratum, allowing the administrator to diagnose why synchronization is not occurring despite chronyd running.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Installing Linux and Package Management
Key term
Linux
Linux is an open-source operating system that manages computer hardware and software, widely used in servers, desktops, and embedded systems.
Key term
Service
A service is a software component or system that performs a specific function and is available to be used by other programs or users over a network.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official CompTIA exam blueprint
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.