Quick Answer
The answer is Puppet, Chef, and Ansible. These three tools are the industry-standard configuration management tools for Linux, each automating the provisioning, deployment, and maintenance of system state across server fleets. Chef uses a Ruby-based DSL to define configurations as 'recipes' and 'cookbooks' in a pull-based model, where nodes fetch desired state from a central Chef server, while Puppet also follows a pull model with its own declarative language, and Ansible employs a push-based, agentless approach using simple YAML playbooks. On the CompTIA Linux+ XK0-005 exam, this question tests your understanding of automation frameworks that ensure consistent, repeatable infrastructure—a core competency for Linux administrators. A common trap is confusing Chef and Puppet’s pull model with Ansible’s push model, or forgetting that SaltStack is also a valid tool but not among the three most commonly referenced for this exam. To remember the trio, think of the acronym CAP: Chef, Ansible, Puppet.
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.
Which THREE tools are commonly used for configuration management?
Chef
Chef is a configuration management tool.
Ansible
Ansible is an automation tool for configuration management.
Puppet
Puppet is a configuration management tool.
Kubernetes
Why wrong: Kubernetes is an orchestration platform, not a configuration management tool.
Docker
Why wrong: Docker is a container runtime, not primarily 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
Chef
Chef is a configuration management tool that uses a Ruby-based DSL to define system configurations as 'recipes' and 'cookbooks'. It follows a pull-based model where nodes run the Chef client to fetch and apply configurations from a Chef server, ensuring desired state compliance across infrastructure.
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.
Chef
Why this is correct
Chef is a configuration management tool.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Ansible
Why this is correct
Ansible is an automation tool for configuration management.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Puppet
Why this is correct
Puppet is a configuration management tool.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Kubernetes
Why it's wrong here
Kubernetes is an orchestration platform, not a configuration management tool.
Docker
Why it's wrong here
Docker is a container runtime, not primarily a configuration management tool.
Common exam traps
CompTIA often tests the distinction between configuration management (Chef, Ansible, Puppet) and container/orchestration tools (Docker, Kubernetes), leading candidates to mistakenly select Kubernetes or Docker as configuration management tools.
Detailed technical explanation
Configuration management tools like Chef, Ansible, and Puppet enforce desired state through idempotent operations—running the same configuration multiple times yields the same result. Chef uses a client-server architecture with a REST API, while Ansible is agentless and uses SSH for push-based execution, and Puppet uses a declarative language with a master-agent model over HTTPS. Understanding these architectural differences is critical for choosing the right tool in exam scenarios.
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: Chef — Chef is a configuration management tool that uses a Ruby-based DSL to define system configurations as 'recipes' and 'cookbooks'. It follows a pull-based model where nodes run the Chef client to fetch and apply configurations from a Chef server, ensuring desired state compliance across infrastructure.
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 30, 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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