220-1102 Question #52: Real Exam Question with Answer & Explanation

The correct answer is A: Time drift. The most likely cause for a desktop PC failing to log into a domain and access secure intranet sites, while a laptop on the same network works, is time drift.

Hardware and network troubleshooting

Question

A user is unable to log in to the domain with a desktop PC, but a laptop PC is working properly on the same network. A technician logs in lo the desktop PC with a local account but is unable to browse to the secure intranet site to get troubleshooting tools. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause of the issue?

Options

ATime drift
BDual in-line memory module failure
CApplication crash
DFilesystem errors

Explanation

The most likely cause for a desktop PC failing to log into a domain and access secure intranet sites, while a laptop on the same network works, is time drift.

Approach. Many domain-based authentication protocols, such as Kerberos used in Windows domains, are highly sensitive to time synchronization. If a client machine's clock (the desktop PC in this case) significantly drifts from the domain controller's clock (time drift), authentication requests will fail, preventing domain login and access to secure domain resources like an intranet site. Since the laptop works, the network itself is likely fine, pointing to a client-specific issue.

Common mistakes.

B. Dual in-line memory module (DIMM) failure would likely cause system crashes, reboots, or blue screens, not specifically prevent domain login while allowing local login and network access.
C. An application crash affects a specific application, not the fundamental ability to log into a domain or browse secure network resources system-wide.
D. Filesystem errors could cause various issues, including application failures or boot problems, but they are less directly tied to the specific symptoms of failing domain authentication and secure intranet browsing while allowing local login and basic network connectivity than time drift.

Concept tested. Domain authentication troubleshooting - time synchronization

Reference. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-server/identity/kerberos-authentication-issues-time-skew

Topics

#Time synchronization#Domain authentication#SSL/TLS#Troubleshooting

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