Question 122 of 144
SK0-005 server-hardware-installation-management Practice Question
A small business plans to deploy a new on-premises server for a virtualization environment. The server will run a hypervisor hosting four virtual machines: a domain controller, a file server, a web application server, and an SQL database server. The business expects moderate workloads and needs to ensure reliable performance and data protection. The procurement department has proposed the following server configuration: single Intel Xeon E-2300 series CPU (4 cores, 8 threads), 16 GB DDR4 ECC RAM, two 1 TB SATA hard drives configured in RAID 1, a single 1 GbE network interface, and a 500W power supply. The IT manager reviews the proposal and identifies several deficiencies that will not meet the expected workload requirements. Which of the following changes to the server configuration is the MOST important to address first to ensure the VMs can run effectively?
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
✓
Increase the RAM to at least 32 GB to support the four VMs.
In virtualization, RAM is typically the first resource to become a bottleneck because each VM requires its own memory allocation. 16 GB is insufficient for four VMs, especially with an SQL database server, which often demands a large memory footprint. Option C is correct because increasing RAM to at least 32 GB allows the hypervisor to allocate adequate memory to each VM, preventing excessive swapping and performance degradation. Option A is incorrect because the proposed CPU (4c/8t) can handle moderate workloads if RAM is sufficient; more cores are secondary. Option B is incorrect because while SSDs and RAID 10 would improve disk I/O, the immediate showstopper is insufficient RAM, which would cause VMs to fail or thrash regardless of storage speed. Option D is incorrect because a single 1 GbE link might be adequate initially, and NIC teaming addresses redundancy, not the fundamental resource deficit.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Increase the RAM to at least 32 GB to support the four VMs.
Why this is correct
RAM is the most common bottleneck in virtualization. 16 GB is far too little for four VMs, one of which is a database server. Upgrading RAM ensures the hypervisor can allocate sufficient memory to each VM.
- ✗
Replace the SATA hard drives with SSDs and configure RAID 10 for better I/O performance.
Why it's wrong here
Faster storage is important for I/O-intensive VMs like databases, but without sufficient RAM, the VMs may not even start or will constantly swap, negating any storage speed gains.
- ✗
Add a second 1 GbE network interface and configure NIC teaming for redundancy.
Why it's wrong here
Network redundancy is important for uptime but does not address the primary issue of insufficient memory. The server will not function properly underload with only 16 GB of RAM.
- ✗
Upgrade the CPU to a model with at least 8 cores and 16 threads.
Why it's wrong here
While more cores are beneficial, 4 cores/8 threads can often handle moderate VM loads. The more pressing issue is the severe lack of RAM, which will cause immediate performance failure.
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.
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.