- A
Use renice -n +10
Why wrong: Would lower priority, not increase.
- B
Use the nice command with -n -5
Why wrong: nice is for starting a new process with a given nice value, not changing existing.
- C
Use renice with root privileges via sudo
Correct: renice requires root to change priority of another user's process.
- D
Use kill -SIGSTOP to stop the process then restart
Why wrong: Not the proper way to change priority.
Question 664 of 981
XK0-005 System Management Practice Question
This XK0-005 practice question tests your understanding of system management. 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 process is running with a nice value of 5. The system administrator wants to increase its priority (lower the nice value) to -5 but is not the owner of the process. What must the administrator do first to achieve this?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"first"Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
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
✓
Use renice with root privileges via sudo
Only root can increase priority (lower nice value) of another user's process. The administrator must use sudo or become root to run renice. Option A is incorrect because nice command starts a new process. Option C is correct: run renice with sudo. Option D is incorrect because renice -n +10 would lower priority (increase nice).
Key principle: Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Use renice -n +10
Why it's wrong here
Would lower priority, not increase.
- ✗
Use the nice command with -n -5
Why it's wrong here
nice is for starting a new process with a given nice value, not changing existing.
- ✓
Use renice with root privileges via sudo
Why this is correct
Correct: renice requires root to change priority of another user's process.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
- ✗
Use kill -SIGSTOP to stop the process then restart
Why it's wrong here
Not the proper way to change priority.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: authentication is not authorization
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Authentication checks who the user is.
- Authorization controls what the user is allowed to do after login.
- Privilege levels affect access to EXEC and configuration commands.
- AAA, TACACS+ and RADIUS can separate login success from command access.
TExam Day Tips
- Do not assume successful login means full administrative access.
- Look for words such as cannot enter configuration mode, privilege level, authorization or command access.
- Separate login problems from permission problems before choosing the answer.
Key takeaway
Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A junior network technician can log in to a core router but cannot reach the enable prompt or configuration mode. The AAA server is authenticating the login — but the authorisation policy only grants privilege level 1, not 15. Authentication (who you are) is working; authorisation (what you can do) is not.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related XK0-005 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this XK0-005 question test?
System Management — This question tests System Management — Authentication checks who the user is..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use renice with root privileges via sudo — Only root can increase priority (lower nice value) of another user's process. The administrator must use sudo or become root to run renice. Option A is incorrect because nice command starts a new process. Option C is correct: run renice with sudo. Option D is incorrect because renice -n +10 would lower priority (increase nice).
What should I do if I get this XK0-005 question wrong?
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related XK0-005 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Authentication checks who the user is.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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