Question 92 of 144
SK0-005 troubleshooting Practice Question
A server administrator is troubleshooting a network connectivity issue on a server that has recently been moved to a different rack. The server can ping its own IP address but cannot ping the default gateway. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause?
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
✓
Faulty Ethernet cable or incorrect patch panel port
Option A is correct because being able to ping self but not gateway suggests a layer 1 or 2 issue like a faulty patch cable. Option B is wrong because DNS would affect name resolution, not ping. Option C is wrong because incorrect subnet mask would affect self-ping or gateway detection. Option D is wrong because duplicate IP would cause intermittent issues or conflict messages.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Faulty Ethernet cable or incorrect patch panel port
Why this is correct
A physical connectivity issue at layer 1 can prevent the server from reaching the gateway while still allowing the NIC to respond to its own IP.
- ✗
Incorrect DNS server configuration
Why it's wrong here
DNS is for name resolution; ping uses IP addresses, so DNS misconfiguration does not affect direct ping to gateway.
- ✗
Incorrect subnet mask
Why it's wrong here
An incorrect subnet mask would likely cause the server to calculate the wrong network address, potentially making it think the gateway is on a different subnet, but self-ping would still work. However, this is less common than physical issues after a move.
- ✗
Duplicate IP address on the network
Why it's wrong here
A duplicate IP address typically causes intermittent connectivity and an error message from the OS, not a consistent inability to ping the gateway.
Visual reference
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Last reviewed: Jul 26, 2026
This SK0-005 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 SK0-005 exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.