SK0-005 server-administration Practice Question
An administrator is monitoring a server that has a hardware RAID 5 array consisting of four 2 TB disks. The RAID controller's management software reports that one disk has a status of 'Pred Fail' (predictive failure). The array also has a dedicated hot spare disk already installed and set up. The array is still fully functional with no data loss, but the 'Pred Fail' warning indicates the disk is likely to fail soon. The server is a production database server that cannot be taken offline except for scheduled maintenance windows, which are not until the following weekend. The administrator needs to ensure data integrity and avoid any risk of downtime or data loss while waiting for the replacement. Which immediate action should the administrator take?
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
✓
Use the RAID management software to initiate a proactive replacement of the pred fail disk with the hot spare
Option A is correct because replacing the failing disk with the hot spare proactively prevents the array from becoming degraded or failing if another disk fails, ensuring continuous protection. Option B is wrong because waiting risks catastrophic failure if another disk fails before the spare activates. Option C is wrong because a full backup is not a substitute for immediate redundancy restoration. Option D is wrong because removing the disk from the array manually would degrade it and risk data loss if another disk fails during the rebuild.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Wait for the disk to completely fail so that the hot spare will automatically rebuild the array
Why it's wrong here
This is risky because if another disk fails before the rebuild completes, the entire array could be lost.
- ✓
Use the RAID management software to initiate a proactive replacement of the pred fail disk with the hot spare
Why this is correct
This immediately starts the rebuild onto the hot spare, maintaining full redundancy without waiting for an actual failure.
- ✗
Take a full backup immediately and then replace the disk during the next maintenance window
Why it's wrong here
A backup protects data but does not restore redundancy; the array could still fail in the meantime.
- ✗
Remove the pred fail disk from the array to force the hot spare to rebuild, then re-add the disk later
Why it's wrong here
Removing the disk intentionally degrades the array and may cause performance impact; using the hot spare directly is cleaner.
Quick reference
RAID Level Comparison
| RAID Level | Min Disks | Fault Tolerance | Read | Write | Usable Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RAID 0 | 2 | None | Excellent | Excellent | 100% |
| RAID 1 | 2 | 1 disk | Good | Moderate | 50% |
| RAID 5 | 3 | 1 disk | Good | Moderate | 67–94% |
| RAID 6 | 4 | 2 disks | Good | Lower | 50–88% |
| RAID 10 | 4 | 1 disk per mirror | Excellent | Good | 50% |
RAID is not a backup strategy — it protects against disk failure but not against accidental deletion, ransomware, or site-level events.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Storage Management (RAID, SAN, NAS)
Key term
RAID 5
RAID 5 is a disk array configuration that uses block-level striping with distributed parity to provide fault tolerance and good read performance while using storage space efficiently.
Key term
Controller
A controller is a hardware chip or software program that manages data flow and communication between a computer's operating system and its connected devices or networks.
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Same concept, more angles
1 more way 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. Refer to the exhibit. A technician reviewing the server's storage array status sees the above output. The server is using a hot spare with a RAID 5 array. What should the technician do NEXT?
hard- A.Run a full backup and then replace the drive
- B.Rebuild the array to include the hot spare
- C.Continue monitoring; the drive is still functional
- ✓ D.Immediately replace the drive in slot 1I:1:3 to prevent data loss
Why D: A predictive failure warning means the drive is likely to fail soon. Immediate replacement prevents array degradation and possible data loss. The hot spare is activated only on actual failure; rebuilding the array to include the hot spare is not possible manually for predictive failures. Backing up is prudent but not the most urgent next step.
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.