CompTIA Server+ (SK0-005)TroubleshootingMedium
A web server application is occasionally returning '500 Internal Server Error' messages to clients. The server administrator checks the application's logs and finds entries indicating 'database connection timeout' errors. Other applications on the same server that do not use the database are functioning normally. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause of the '500 Internal Server Error' in this scenario?
- AInsufficient RAM allocated to the web server process.
- BThe database server is overloaded or unreachable.
- CThe web server's SSL certificate has expired.
- DIncorrect file permissions on the web server's document root.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. The database server is overloaded or unreachable.
The 'database connection timeout' error directly points to an issue with the database server. A '500 Internal Server Error' from the web server often means the web application itself encountered an issue trying to fulfill the request, and failing to connect to its backend database is a common reason for this.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Insufficient RAM might cause general performance issues or application crashes, but 'database connection timeout' specifically points to the database.
- C. An expired SSL certificate would cause browser warnings or connection failures, not a '500 Internal Server Error' related to database connectivity.
- D. Incorrect file permissions would typically cause '403 Forbidden' errors or issues accessing specific files, not database connection timeouts.
Database Connection Timeout
An error indicating that an application failed to establish or maintain a connection to its database within a specified time limit.
- Often points to issues with the database server itself (offline, overloaded).
- Can be caused by network connectivity problems between application and database.
- May also be due to incorrect connection strings or credentials.
Memory trick: Server's internal error: check its friends, especially the database!