PK0-005 Practice Question: Basics of IT Infrastructure and IT Project Management
A project manager is overseeing the deployment of a new server infrastructure that includes both physical and virtual servers. The project requires that the new servers be integrated into the existing monitoring system. Which protocol should the project manager ensure is enabled to allow the monitoring system to collect performance metrics from both physical and virtual servers?
⚠ Common exam trap
Watch out — candidates often confuse remote access protocols like SSH or RDP with monitoring protocols, overlooking that SNMP is specifically designed for performance metric collection.
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
✓
Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP)
SNMP is the standard protocol for monitoring servers and network devices. It enables the monitoring system to collect performance metrics from both physical and virtual servers. SSH, RDP, and LDAP serve different purposes—remote access, remote desktop, and directory services—and do not provide the required monitoring data collection.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP)
Why it's wrong here
RDP is used for remote graphical access to Windows servers. It does not provide a mechanism for monitoring systems to collect performance metrics. Using RDP for monitoring would be inefficient and not automated. The project needs a protocol that allows the monitoring system to poll servers for data.
- ✗
Secure Shell (SSH)
Why it's wrong here
SSH provides secure remote access to servers for command-line management, but it is not a monitoring protocol. While scripts can use SSH to gather metrics, it is not the standard method for a monitoring system to collect performance data. The project requires a protocol designed for monitoring, not remote administration.
- ✗
Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP)
Why it's wrong here
LDAP is used for accessing directory services, such as user authentication and authorization. It does not provide performance monitoring capabilities. The project requires integration with a monitoring system to collect metrics, which LDAP cannot do. Thus, it is not the appropriate protocol.
- ✓
Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP)
Why this is correct
SNMP is a standard protocol for monitoring network devices, servers, and applications. It allows the monitoring system to collect performance metrics such as CPU, memory, and disk usage from both physical and virtual servers. Enabling SNMP ensures integration with the existing monitoring system, assuming the system supports SNMP.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official CompTIA exam blueprint
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.