CompTIA Server+ Exam SK0-004: Memory Upgrade Issue

Memory Upgrade Issue: DDR3 Registered DIMMs and Compatibility

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Question

A technician is upgrading the memory in a server.

The server requires DDR3 Registered DIMMs.

The server has four banks of three slots for memory and currently there is one 2GB module in each bank.

When the technician attempts to add eight more 4GB modules of DDR3 unbuffered ECC memory, the memory does not fit in the slots.

Which of the following is the cause of this issue?

Answers

Explanations

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A. B. C. D.

C.

The cause of the issue is most likely answer A: "In a bank, 2GB and 4GB memory cannot be mixed."

DDR3 memory comes in two types: unbuffered and registered. Registered memory is also known as "buffered" memory, which has a small buffer that helps to reduce the electrical load on the memory controller, allowing more modules to be installed. This type of memory is typically used in servers and workstations that require large amounts of memory.

Each memory slot on the server's motherboard can support a specific type of memory. In this case, the server requires DDR3 Registered DIMMs, which means that only registered memory modules can be installed in the memory slots. However, the technician attempted to install eight more modules of DDR3 unbuffered ECC memory, which is not compatible with the server's requirement.

Additionally, each bank of memory slots on the server has its own memory capacity limit. In this case, the server has four banks of three slots for memory, and currently, there is one 2GB module in each bank, totaling 24GB of RAM. The maximum memory capacity for each bank is determined by the server's hardware and can vary depending on the server's model.

Therefore, if the technician attempted to install eight more modules of DDR3 registered ECC memory, which is the correct type of memory, it's possible that the total memory on the server would exceed the maximum memory capacity for each bank, resulting in the server not recognizing the additional memory.

In conclusion, the cause of the issue is most likely answer A: "In a bank, 2GB and 4GB memory cannot be mixed." The technician attempted to install DDR3 unbuffered ECC memory, which is not compatible with the server's requirement for registered memory. The total memory capacity for each bank may also be a limiting factor that should be considered.