Practice Test Geeks(CPT) Certified Process Technician Practice Test
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Computer Systems & Software Updates Flashcards

7 cards from real CPT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Computer Systems & Software Updates flashcards as text

  1. Which of the following best describes a 'hot standby' redundancy configuration in a process control computer system?

    Answer: A secondary system running in parallel that takes over instantly on primary failure

    Hot standby means the secondary system is live and synchronized so it can assume control immediately without operator intervention.

  2. In industrial cybersecurity, what is an 'air gap'?

    Answer: Physical or logical isolation of a control network from external networks

    An air gap isolates the OT network from the internet or corporate IT network to prevent cyber intrusions.

  3. What is the primary function of an OPC server in a process plant?

    Answer: To act as a standardized middleware that allows different software applications to share process data

    OPC (OLE for Process Control) servers provide a standard data-sharing interface between controllers, historians, and HMI applications from different vendors.

  4. Which maintenance strategy schedules software updates based on elapsed time or usage cycles rather than detected faults?

    Answer: Preventive maintenance

    Preventive maintenance applies updates on a fixed schedule to reduce failure risk before problems occur.

  5. A process plant's control system logs show repeated 'memory overflow' errors on a workstation. What is the most likely corrective action?

    Answer: Upgrade RAM or optimize/patch the software causing excessive memory use

    Memory overflow errors indicate the application is consuming more RAM than available, requiring a hardware upgrade or software patch.

  6. What is the purpose of a Management of Change (MOC) process when updating control system software?

    Answer: To formally evaluate, approve, document, and communicate the risks of the change before implementation

    MOC ensures that software changes are assessed for safety and operational impacts and are properly authorized before being made.

  7. Which file type is typically used to store DCS controller configuration backups that can be restored after a hardware failure?

    Answer: .cfg or .bak (vendor-specific configuration files)

    DCS vendors use proprietary configuration file formats (often .cfg, .bak, or similar) that store all controller logic and parameters for restoration.