SK0-005 server-hardware-installation-management Practice Question
A systems administrator is configuring a new server that will host a mission-critical database. The server has two redundant power supplies. The organization's data center has two separate power circuits, each backed by a different UPS. Which of the following power configurations provides the BEST redundancy?
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
✓
Connect each power supply to a different power circuit.
Connecting each power supply to a different power circuit ensures that if one circuit or UPS fails, the server continues to receive power from the other source. Option B is correct because it eliminates single points of failure in the power path. Option A is incorrect because connecting both to the same circuit creates a single point of failure; a circuit trip would take down the server. Option C is incorrect because using a single live PSU with a cold spare does not provide automatic failover and would cause downtime if the active PSU fails. Option D is incorrect because a single high-capacity UPS is still a single point of failure, and does not protect against UPS failure or circuit issues.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Connect each power supply to a different power circuit.
Why this is correct
This is the best practice for power redundancy. It ensures that the server remains powered even if one entire circuit or UPS fails.
- ✗
Connect both power supplies to a single, high-capacity UPS.
Why it's wrong here
While a larger UPS may handle total load, it is still a single point of failure. If the UPS itself fails or the circuit feeding it trips, server power is lost.
- ✗
Use a single power supply and keep the second as a cold spare.
Why it's wrong here
A cold spare requires manual intervention to install, leading to extended downtime. Redundant PSUs should be hot-plugged and both active for automatic failover.
- ✗
Connect both power supplies to the same circuit to balance load.
Why it's wrong here
This creates a single point of failure. If the circuit trips, both PSUs lose power and the server goes down unexpectedly.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Troubleshooting Security Issues and Using Diagnostic Tools
Key term
UPS
A UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) provides emergency backup power to connected equipment when the main power fails, protecting against data loss and hardware damage.
Key term
RX
RX (Receive / Receiver) is the signal path or hardware component that accepts incoming data from a network medium.
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Same concept, more angles
3 more ways this is tested on SK0-005
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A technician is installing a new 2U server into a datacenter rack. The server is equipped with redundant power supplies. According to best practices for power redundancy, how should the technician connect the power supplies?
easy- A.Connect one PSU to a UPS and the other directly to mains
- B.Run one PSU at 110V and the other at 220V for load balancing
- ✓ C.Connect each PSU to a separate circuit
- D.Connect both PSUs to the same power distribution unit (PDU)
Why C: Option B is correct because connecting each power supply to a separate circuit (or separate PDUs fed by different circuits) ensures that if one circuit fails, the other keeps the server powered. Option A is wrong because connecting both to the same PDU creates a single point of failure. Option C is wrong because while a UPS is important, connecting only one PSU to a UPS defeats redundancy if the non-UPS circuit fails. Option D is wrong because operating voltages are standardized and must match the server specifications.
Variation 2. A company is expanding its data center to support a new four-node database cluster for a critical application requiring 99.999% uptime, meaning only minutes of downtime per year. Each server node has dual 1000W power supplies. The facility provides two independent power feeds from separate utility substations, each backed by its own online double-conversion UPS. There are four 20A/208V PDUs available, two per power feed. The design must ensure that the loss of any single power feed, any single UPS, or any single PDU does not cause any server to lose power or impact the cluster's availability. The servers are located in a single rack, and cabling must follow best practices for manageability and airflow. The IT architect is evaluating different power distribution strategies to meet these fault-tolerance requirements. Which of the following configurations achieves full redundancy with no single point of failure in the power path?
hard- A.Connect each server's power supplies to two PDUs that are both on the same power feed, and use the second feed only as a cold standby in case of a primary feed failure.
- ✓ B.Connect the first power supply of each server to a PDU on power feed A and the second power supply to a PDU on power feed B.
- C.Connect each server's power supplies to the same PDU, but distribute servers across the four PDUs for load balancing.
- D.Use a single large PDU with dual inputs from both feeds and an automatic transfer switch, connecting all servers to that PDU.
Why B: Option D is correct because connecting each server's power supplies to two different PDUs that are on separate power feeds guarantees that if one feed, UPS, or PDU fails, the server continues to receive power from the remaining source. Option A does not protect against PDU failure. Option B exposes servers to a power feed failure. Option C introduces a single PDU as a single point of failure.
Variation 3. A technician is troubleshooting a server that fails to boot after a scheduled power outage. The server is connected to a UPS. Upon pressing the power button, the server powers on briefly (fans spin, lights flash) and then shuts down after 2 seconds. The POST does not complete. The server has a dual power supply with each connected to a separate PDU. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause?
hard- A.The UPS battery is depleted
- B.One of the power supplies has failed
- ✓ C.A short circuit in the motherboard
- D.The CMOS battery is dead
Why C: Option C is correct because immediate power-off after a brief spin-up is a classic symptom of a short circuit, often on the motherboard. Option A is wrong because a failed power supply would typically prevent any power-on or cause beep codes, not a brief power-on. Option B is wrong because the UPS battery condition would not cause this behavior if the server is receiving utility power; also the server is receiving power momentarily. Option D is wrong because a dead CMOS battery would cause date/time loss but not prevent boot completely.
JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed July 2026 · checked against the official CompTIA exam blueprint
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.