SK0-005 server-administration Practice Question
A system administrator manages a collection of Linux web servers that store custom application configurations in /etc/app/config. The configuration changes frequently, and the admin needs to implement an automated daily backup solution that captures the directory at 1 AM, compresses it with gzip, and retains the last 5 days of backups on a central NFS-mounted backup volume /mnt/backups. The solution should be simple and use standard tools. Which approach best meets these requirements?
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
✓
Create a cron job that runs `tar -czf /mnt/backups/config-$(date +%Y%m%d).tar.gz /etc/app/config` at 1 AM, and another cron job at 2 AM that runs `find /mnt/backups -name "config-*.tar.gz" -mtime +5 -delete`.
Option B is correct because it uses tar with gzip compression and a dated filename to create daily compressed archives, and a separate cron job using find to delete files older than 5 days, fulfilling all requirements simply. Option A uses rsync which does not create a single compressed archive file and the retention method using find on directories is less suitable for daily snapshot rotation. Option C uses zip which does not easily support date-stamped filenames and relies on external NFS snapshots, which is not a self-contained solution. Option D uses Windows Server Backup on Linux, which is unsupported and inappropriate.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Create a cron job that runs `tar -czf /mnt/backups/config-$(date +%Y%m%d).tar.gz /etc/app/config` at 1 AM, and another cron job at 2 AM that runs `find /mnt/backups -name "config-*.tar.gz" -mtime +5 -delete`.
Why this is correct
This solution correctly creates a compressed, date-stamped archive and removes archives older than 5 days, meeting all specified requirements simply.
- ✗
Use Windows Server Backup scheduled to back up the Linux server's directory via SMB share.
Why it's wrong here
Windows Server Backup is not compatible with Linux systems and cannot be used to back up Linux directories directly.
- ✗
Create a cron job that runs `rsync -avz /etc/app/config /mnt/backups/` at 1 AM, with a separate cron job to delete old rsync snapshots using `find /mnt/backups -type d -mtime +5 -exec rm -rf {} \;`.
Why it's wrong here
rsync does not produce a compressed archive file; it syncs directories. Using find on directories may delete partial backups and doesn't provide timestamped archives.
- ✗
Write a shell script that uses `zip -r /mnt/backups/config.zip /etc/app/config`, schedule it via cron at 1 AM, and rely on the NFS server's built-in snapshot feature for retention.
Why it's wrong here
Using zip overwrites the same file daily, losing previous backups, and depending on NFS snapshots is not a reliable retention method managed within the server.
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Related to this question
Learn chapter
Operating System Installation and Configuration
Key term
Standard
A standard is an agreed-upon set of rules, guidelines, or specifications that ensure consistency, compatibility, and quality across IT products, services, and processes.
Key term
NFS
Network File System (NFS) is a protocol that allows a computer to access files over a network as if they were on its own local hard drive.
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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.