Quick Answer
The answer is redundant power supplies, redundant network switches, and redundant cooling systems. These three components are critical because a single point of failure in any of them can bring down an entire data center, directly undermining high availability for critical systems. Power supply redundancy, often deployed in N+1 or 2N configurations, ensures uninterrupted operation if a unit fails, while redundant network switches prevent connectivity loss, and redundant cooling prevents thermal shutdown. On the CompTIA Project+ PK0-005 exam, this concept tests your understanding of risk mitigation and business continuity planning for infrastructure projects. A common trap is to overlook cooling as a critical system, focusing only on power and networking; remember that heat is the silent killer of uptime. For a quick memory tip, think “P-N-C” for Power, Network, and Cooling—the three pillars of data center redundancy.
This PK0-005 practice question tests your understanding of basics of it infrastructure and it project management. 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 data center upgrade project requires redundancy for critical systems. Which three components should be redundant? (Choose three.)
RAID controller
Why wrong: RAID controllers provide disk redundancy but are not typically duplicated as components.
Server chassis
Why wrong: Server chassis are not redundant; servers themselves may be clustered.
Power supply
Redundant power supplies ensure continued operation if one fails.
UPS
Redundant UPS units ensure backup power if one unit fails.
Network switch
Redundant switches prevent network outages from a single switch failure.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Power supply
Power supply redundancy ensures that if one unit fails, the other can sustain the load without downtime. In a data center upgrade, redundant power supplies (often N+1 or 2N configuration) are critical to maintain uptime for servers and network gear. This directly supports high availability for the project's critical systems.
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.
RAID controller
Why it's wrong here
RAID controllers provide disk redundancy but are not typically duplicated as components.
Server chassis
Why it's wrong here
Server chassis are not redundant; servers themselves may be clustered.
Power supply
Why this is correct
Redundant power supplies ensure continued operation if one fails.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
UPS
Why this is correct
Redundant UPS units ensure backup power if one unit fails.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Network switch
Why this is correct
Redundant switches prevent network outages from a single switch failure.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates may confuse component-level redundancy (like RAID for disks) with infrastructure-level redundancy (power, UPS, network), leading them to select RAID controller or server chassis instead of the correct triad of power, UPS, and network switch.
Detailed technical explanation
Redundant power supplies typically operate in active/active or active/standby mode, with load sharing via current-sharing circuits. UPS redundancy often uses a parallel configuration with static transfer switches (STS) to ensure seamless failover within milliseconds. Network switch redundancy is achieved through protocols like Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) or Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol (VRRP) to prevent loops and provide failover at Layer 2 or Layer 3.
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 PK0-005 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
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FAQ
Basics of IT Infrastructure and IT Project Management — This question tests Basics of IT Infrastructure and IT Project Management — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Power supply — Power supply redundancy ensures that if one unit fails, the other can sustain the load without downtime. In a data center upgrade, redundant power supplies (often N+1 or 2N configuration) are critical to maintain uptime for servers and network gear. This directly supports high availability for the project's critical systems.
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 24, 2026
This PK0-005 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 PK0-005 exam.
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