A server administrator has just installed a new server in a rack and connected it to a top-of-rack switch. The administrator attempts to connect to the server's remote management interface but is unsuccessful. Upon physical inspection, the administrator observes that the link light on the server's network interface card (NIC) is off, and the corresponding link light on the switch port is also off. Based on these observations, which of the following is the MOST likely cause of the connectivity failure?
The server has been configured with an incorrect static IP address.
The network cable is faulty or disconnected.
The switch port is configured in the wrong VLAN.
A network firewall is blocking the remote management port.
The correct answer is that the network cable is faulty or disconnected. When both the server's NIC link light and the switch port's link light are off, it indicates a problem at Layer 1 (the Physical Layer) of the OSI model. The most common cause for a lack of a physical link is an issue with the cabling itself, such as a disconnected, damaged, or incorrect type of cable. An incorrect IP address is a Layer 3 issue, a VLAN misconfiguration is a Layer 2 issue, and a firewall block is a Layer 3/4 issue; none of these would prevent the physical link from being established, and the link lights would typically be illuminated.
Ask Bash
Bash is our AI bot, trained to help you pass your exam. AI Generated Content may display inaccurate information, always double-check anything important.