SK0-005 server-administration Practice Question
A system administrator is notified that a server with a RAID 5 array of four 2TB drives has a single failed drive. The server uses hot-swappable drives and a hardware RAID controller. Which of the following actions should the administrator perform FIRST?
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
✓
Replace the failed drive and allow the array to rebuild.
Option A (Replace the failed drive and allow the array to rebuild) is correct because with a hot-spare, the array can rebuild automatically after replacing the failed drive, minimizing data vulnerability. Option B (Perform a full backup) is prudent but not immediate; the array is still functional in degraded mode. Option C (Reboot the server and access the RAID controller BIOS) delays recovery and may cause unnecessary downtime. Option D (Replace all drives to increase storage) is unnecessary and wasteful.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Replace all four drives with larger capacity drives to expand storage.
Why it's wrong here
Expanding storage is not the immediate concern; replacing all four drives would be costly and time-consuming, and not required for a single drive failure.
- ✗
Reboot the server and enter the RAID controller BIOS to mark the drive as offline.
Why it's wrong here
A reboot is unnecessary and causes downtime; the failed drive is likely already marked as offline by the controller, and hot-swapping does not require a reboot.
- ✓
Replace the failed drive and allow the array to rebuild.
Why this is correct
Immediate replacement allows the rebuild process to start, restoring redundancy. Hot-swap capability makes this a quick, non-disruptive first step.
- ✗
Perform a full backup of the array before taking any action.
Why it's wrong here
While backups are important, the priority is restoring redundancy; the array is still accessible and can be backed up, but delaying drive replacement increases risk of another 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.
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
Vulnerability
A vulnerability is a weakness in a system, network, or software that could be exploited by a threat to cause harm or unauthorized access.
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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. A server configured with RAID 5 has two failed drives. The array is offline and critical data is inaccessible. The administrator has replacement drives available. What should the administrator do to restore the data and array with minimal data loss?
medium- A.Reconfigure the RAID to RAID 0 using the remaining good drives.
- B.Replace both failed drives and initiate a full array rebuild.
- ✓ C.Replace both failed drives and restore from backup.
- D.Replace one failed drive, allow rebuild, then replace the second.
Why C: Option A is correct. RAID 5 can survive a single drive failure, but with two failed drives, the array is completely broken and cannot be rebuilt. Restoring from backup is the only reliable method to recover the data. Options B and C incorrectly assume the array can still rebuild, and option D would worsen data integrity.
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.