- A
tcpdump -i eth0 src 10.0.0.1 -w capture.pcap
Why wrong: This captures only source IP, not bidirectional.
- B
tcpdump -i eth0 dst 10.0.0.1 -w capture.pcap
Why wrong: This captures only destination IP, not bidirectional.
- C
tcpdump -i eth0 host 10.0.0.1 -w capture.pcap
Correct syntax: interface, host filter, and -w for output.
- D
tcpdump -i eth0 -n host 10.0.0.1 -w capture.pcap
Why wrong: -n disables name resolution but still works; however the question does not require -n.
Question 356 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.
An administrator needs to capture network traffic on interface eth0, filter for packets to/from host 10.0.0.1, and save the output to a file for later analysis. 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
✓
tcpdump -i eth0 host 10.0.0.1 -w capture.pcap
Option C is correct because the `tcpdump` command with the `host` filter captures all traffic (both source and destination) to or from the specified IP address, which matches the requirement to filter for packets to/from host 10.0.0.1. The `-i eth0` specifies the interface, and `-w capture.pcap` writes the output to a file for later analysis.
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.
- ✗
tcpdump -i eth0 src 10.0.0.1 -w capture.pcap
Why it's wrong here
This captures only source IP, not bidirectional.
- ✗
tcpdump -i eth0 dst 10.0.0.1 -w capture.pcap
Why it's wrong here
This captures only destination IP, not bidirectional.
- ✓
tcpdump -i eth0 host 10.0.0.1 -w capture.pcap
Why this is correct
Correct syntax: interface, host filter, and -w for output.
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.
- ✗
tcpdump -i eth0 -n host 10.0.0.1 -w capture.pcap
Why it's wrong here
-n disables name resolution but still works; however the question does not require -n.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse `src` and `dst` filters as sufficient for capturing all traffic to/from a host, forgetting that `host` is the correct primitive for bidirectional capture.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The `host` primitive in `tcpdump` is a shorthand that combines `src` and `dst` filters, using BPF (Berkeley Packet Filter) syntax to match packets where the IP address appears in either the source or destination field. The `-w` flag writes raw packets in pcap format, which can be analyzed later with tools like Wireshark or `tcpdump -r`. In real-world scenarios, capturing both directions is essential for troubleshooting bidirectional communication, such as TCP handshakes or DNS queries.
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.
Visual reference
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.
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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: tcpdump -i eth0 host 10.0.0.1 -w capture.pcap — Option C is correct because the `tcpdump` command with the `host` filter captures all traffic (both source and destination) to or from the specified IP address, which matches the requirement to filter for packets to/from host 10.0.0.1. The `-i eth0` specifies the interface, and `-w capture.pcap` writes the output to a file for later analysis.
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.
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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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