CompTIA Server+ (SK0-005)TroubleshootingMedium
A technician is troubleshooting a server that randomly freezes and becomes unresponsive. The server is configured with two CPUs and ample RAM. After checking system logs, the technician finds recurring entries related to 'Cache L2 Error' associated with one of the CPU sockets. All other system components appear to be functioning normally. What is the MOST likely cause of the server's instability?
- AA failing hard drive.
- BAn overloaded network interface.
- CA faulty RAM module.
- DAn issue with the CPU in socket 1.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. An issue with the CPU in socket 1.
Cache L2 errors are directly associated with the CPU. If these errors are recurring and linked to a specific CPU socket, it strongly indicates a problem with that CPU, which can cause severe system instability, including random freezes and unresponsiveness.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. A failing hard drive would typically manifest as disk I/O errors, data corruption, or boot issues, not 'Cache L2 Error' specific to a CPU socket.
- B. An overloaded network interface would cause network performance issues, dropped packets, or network driver errors, not CPU cache errors leading to system freezes.
- C. Faulty RAM modules would typically generate memory-specific errors (e.g., parity errors, memory address faults), which are distinct from L2 cache errors.
CPU Cache Errors
Errors occurring within a CPU's L1, L2, or L3 cache, indicating a defect in the CPU itself, often leading to system instability, crashes, or unresponsiveness.
- Directly points to a CPU hardware issue.
- Can cause kernel panics or system freezes.
- Requires CPU replacement to resolve.
Memory trick: Cache error in the CPU's domain, means the brain's got a pain.