SY0-701 Question 191
Single answerPowerA security administrator is reviewing the physical security posture of a small data center after several brief utility outages caused critical systems to reboot unexpectedly. The organization wants to reduce the risk of downtime from short-term power loss and also protect equipment from damaging electrical fluctuations. Which solution BEST addresses both requirements for the server racks?
- A
Install a UPS for the server racks
- B
Install a backup generator only
- C
Use surge protectors on all servers
- D
Increase HVAC capacity in the data center
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
The best answer is to install a UPS for the server racks. In Security+ physical security and environmental control scenarios, power availability and power quality are key concerns. A UPS provides immediate, short-duration power when utility service drops and can protect systems from common power issues such as sags, surges, and brief interruptions. This makes it the best fit when the goal is to prevent unexpected reboots during short outages while also protecting equipment.
A generator is valuable for business continuity during prolonged outages, but it usually requires startup and transfer time. Best practice in data centers is to use a UPS to provide instant power and conditioning, often combined with a generator for extended runtime. Surge suppressors alone address only one part of the issue, and HVAC addresses environmental conditions rather than electrical power. These distinctions align with common guidance for resilient facility design and operational continuity, such as NIST recommendations for contingency planning and infrastructure resilience.
- A. Correct.
Correct. An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) is designed to provide short-term battery backup during brief outages and can also help condition power, protecting connected equipment from spikes, sags, and other electrical irregularities. In a real environment, this is the most appropriate immediate control for preventing unexpected reboots caused by short utility interruptions while also improving power quality.
- B. Incorrect.
Incorrect. A backup generator can provide longer-term power during extended outages, but it does not typically supply instantaneous power the moment utility service fails. There is usually a delay before generator power is available, so servers can still reboot unless a UPS bridges that gap. A generator alone also does not provide the same level of line conditioning for brief fluctuations at the rack level.
- C. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Surge protectors can help protect against voltage spikes, but they do not provide battery backup during an outage. This means they would not prevent servers from shutting down or rebooting during even a short loss of utility power. This option reflects the common misconception that surge protection and backup power are the same control.
- D. Incorrect.
Incorrect. HVAC improvements are important for maintaining temperature and humidity within acceptable ranges, which supports availability and hardware longevity. However, increasing cooling capacity does not address brief power interruptions or electrical fluctuation issues. This is a plausible operational improvement, but it does not solve the stated problem.