- A
ip addr
Why wrong: ip addr shows IP addresses on the local host.
- B
ss
Why wrong: ss shows socket statistics, not routing path.
- C
traceroute
traceroute shows the hop-by-hop path to the destination.
- D
ping
Why wrong: ping only tests connectivity, not the path.
Question 203 of 1,000
XK0-005 Troubleshooting Practice Question
This XK0-005 practice question tests your understanding of troubleshooting. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 user reports that they cannot reach a website. The administrator wants to check the path that packets take to the destination server. Which command should be used?
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
✓
traceroute
The `traceroute` command is used to trace the path packets take from the source to a destination host, showing each hop (router) along the way. It uses ICMP echo requests (or UDP packets on Linux) with incrementing TTL values to elicit ICMP Time Exceeded messages from intermediate routers, which reveals the network path. This directly addresses the administrator's need to check the path to the destination server.
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.
- ✗
ip addr
Why it's wrong here
ip addr shows IP addresses on the local host.
- ✗
ss
Why it's wrong here
ss shows socket statistics, not routing path.
- ✓
traceroute
Why this is correct
traceroute shows the hop-by-hop path to the destination.
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.
- ✗
ping
Why it's wrong here
ping only tests connectivity, not the path.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between `ping` (reachability and latency) and `traceroute` (path discovery), and the trap here is that candidates may choose `ping` because it can indicate connectivity issues, but it does not reveal the specific path or intermediate hops.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
ip addr shows IP addresses on the local host.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
`traceroute` works by sending packets with a TTL of 1, then 2, then 3, etc., causing each successive router to decrement the TTL to 0 and return an ICMP Time Exceeded message (type 11, code 0). On Linux, the default probe is UDP to a high port, while on Windows it uses ICMP echo requests; some firewalls may block these probes, leading to asterisks in output. In real-world scenarios, `traceroute` can help identify asymmetric routing, high-latency hops, or packet loss points in the path.
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
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
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Troubleshooting practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
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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: traceroute — The `traceroute` command is used to trace the path packets take from the source to a destination host, showing each hop (router) along the way. It uses ICMP echo requests (or UDP packets on Linux) with incrementing TTL values to elicit ICMP Time Exceeded messages from intermediate routers, which reveals the network path. This directly addresses the administrator's need to check the path to the destination server.
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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