SK0-005 troubleshooting Practice Question
After a thunderstorm, a server in a remote office is reachable via remote console but has no network connectivity. The network switch port shows a steady link light, but the server's NIC shows no link light. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause?
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
✓
The NIC hardware has failed.
Option C is correct. A lack of link light on the server's NIC while the switch has a link indicates a physical failure between the NIC and the cable, such as a damaged NIC. Option A would result in no link on the switch as well. Option B would still allow the NIC to establish link. Option D would not affect link lights.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
TCP/IP stack corruption.
Why it's wrong here
Protocol stack issues occur above the physical layer and would not prevent the NIC from showing a link light.
- ✗
Switch port is administratively disabled.
Why it's wrong here
If the switch port were disabled, it would typically not show a steady link light; both sides would lack link.
- ✗
Incorrect VLAN assignment on the switch port.
Why it's wrong here
VLAN configuration affects data-link layer forwarding but does not impact physical link status; the LED would still be lit.
- ✓
The NIC hardware has failed.
Why this is correct
A failed NIC would not establish a link, explaining why the switch sees a link but the server does not—the fault lies between the server's NIC port and the cable.
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
One of 185 original SK0-005 practice questions on Courseiva, each with a full explanation and wrong-answer analysis — not exam dumps or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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.