Quick Answer
The answer is Ansible and Puppet. These are two of the most widely adopted configuration management tools, designed to automate server configuration and management across multiple Linux hosts by defining desired system states in code. Ansible uses a push-based, agentless architecture with YAML playbooks, while Puppet employs a declarative DSL and a client-server model over HTTPS to enforce consistency on packages, services, and files. On the CompTIA Linux+ XK0-005 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish configuration management tools from simple scripting or orchestration utilities; a common trap is confusing tools like Docker or Bash scripts with true configuration management solutions. Remember that both Ansible and Puppet focus on idempotent state enforcement—meaning they ensure the system matches the declared configuration, not just runs a one-time command. A helpful memory tip: think of “AP” for Ansible and Puppet—two tools that automate with a plan, not a script.
This XK0-005 practice question tests your understanding of scripting, containers and automation. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 system administrator wants to automate server configuration and management across multiple Linux hosts. Which TWO tools are configuration management solutions designed for this purpose? (Choose two.)
Docker
Why wrong: Docker is a container runtime, not configuration management.
Nagios
Why wrong: Nagios is a monitoring tool, not configuration management.
Kubernetes
Why wrong: Kubernetes is a container orchestration platform.
Puppet
Puppet is a configuration management tool.
Ansible
Ansible is a configuration management tool.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Puppet
Puppet is a mature configuration management tool that uses a declarative language (Puppet DSL) to define desired system states and enforces them via a client-server (agent-master) architecture over HTTPS. It automates server configuration across multiple hosts by applying manifests that specify packages, services, files, and users, ensuring consistency without manual intervention.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Docker
Why it's wrong here
Docker is a container runtime, not configuration management.
Nagios
Why it's wrong here
Nagios is a monitoring tool, not configuration management.
Kubernetes
Why it's wrong here
Kubernetes is a container orchestration platform.
Puppet
Why this is correct
Puppet is a configuration management tool.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Ansible
Why this is correct
Ansible is a configuration management tool.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates confuse containerization (Docker) or orchestration (Kubernetes) with configuration management, or mistake monitoring (Nagios) for a tool that configures systems, when the question specifically asks for tools that automate server configuration and management across multiple hosts.
Detailed technical explanation
Under the hood, Puppet uses a declarative model where the agent runs on each managed node, collects facts (system information) via Facter, and sends them to the master; the master compiles a catalog of resources and dependencies, which the agent applies locally. Ansible is agentless and uses SSH (or WinRM) to push modules written in YAML (playbooks) that execute idempotently, relying on Python on the target hosts. In real-world scenarios, organizations often combine Puppet for long-term state enforcement with Ansible for ad-hoc tasks or bootstrapping, but both are classified as configuration management tools distinct from container or monitoring solutions.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Scripting, Containers and Automation — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Scripting, Containers and Automation — This question tests Scripting, Containers and Automation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Puppet — Puppet is a mature configuration management tool that uses a declarative language (Puppet DSL) to define desired system states and enforces them via a client-server (agent-master) architecture over HTTPS. It automates server configuration across multiple hosts by applying manifests that specify packages, services, files, and users, ensuring consistency without manual intervention.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 25, 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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