CompTIA Server+ SK0-005 Practice Question

The correct answer is tracert api.partner.com. The tracert (or traceroute on Linux/macOS) command is a network diagnostic tool used to trace the path that data packets take from the source computer to a destination. It displays each hop (router) in the path and the latency to that hop. If a hop fails to respond, it will be indicated by timeouts (often shown as asterisks), which effectively pinpoints where in the network path the connectivity is being lost. Since the scenario involves a timeout to a specific destination and the goal is to find the point of failure along the route, tracert is the most appropriate tool.

• ping api.partner.com -t is incorrect. While ping tests end-to-end reachability, the scenario already establishes that the connection is failing (timing out). A continuous ping (-t) will only repeatedly confirm the failure; it will not provide information about where along the network path the issue is occurring.

• nslookup api.partner.com is incorrect. The nslookup command is used to query the Domain Name System (DNS) to resolve a hostname to an IP address or vice versa. It is the primary tool for troubleshooting DNS resolution problems. The scenario, however, describes a timeout, which typically occurs after name resolution has succeeded and the server is attempting to route packets to the destination IP. Therefore, it is not the most effective next step for diagnosing a suspected path failure.

• netstat -an is incorrect. The netstat command displays active network connections, listening ports, and other network statistics on the local machine. While useful for checking if the server is attempting to initiate an outbound connection, it provides no visibility into the external network path and cannot identify a point of failure at an intermediate router or firewall.