CompTIA Server+ SK0-005 Practice Question

The correct answer is a failed network interface card (NIC). The key evidence pointing to a hardware failure of the NIC is that its link light is off, even after the administrator has verified that the network cable and the switch port are both working correctly. A link light indicates a valid physical layer (Layer 1) connection. The successful pings to the loopback address and the server's own IP address confirm that the internal TCP/IP stack is functioning, which isolates the problem to the physical hardware. An incorrect IP configuration is unlikely, as the scenario states it is correct and the local IP is pingable. A failed switch port has been ruled out by testing a different, functional port. An incorrect VLAN configuration is a Layer 2 issue and would typically not cause the physical link light to be off.