The answer is `systemctl enable sshd`. This command creates the necessary symlinks in the systemd unit configuration directories, such as `/etc/systemd/system/multi-user.target.wants/`, which tells systemd to automatically start the sshd service at boot. On the Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator LFCS exam, this tests your understanding of systemd’s service management and the distinction between starting a service immediately with `systemctl start` and enabling it for persistent boot-time activation. A common trap is confusing `enable` with `start`; remember that `enable` sets the service to launch on future boots, while `start` runs it right now. For the LFCS, you must know that `systemctl enable` creates symlinks, not just toggles a flag. A helpful memory tip: think of "enable" as "make it permanent for every boot," like adding a program to your startup folder in a graphical desktop.
LFCS Service Configuration Practice Question
This LFCS practice question tests your understanding of service configuration. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
# systemctl status sshd
● sshd.service - OpenSSH server daemon
Loaded: loaded (/usr/lib/systemd/system/sshd.service; disabled; vendor preset: disabled)
Active: active (running) since Mon 2025-03-10 14:23:45 UTC; 1h 30min ago
Main PID: 1234 (sshd)
CGroup: /system.slice/sshd.service
└─1234 /usr/sbin/sshd -D
# netstat -tlnp | grep :22
tcp 0 0 0.0.0.0:22 0.0.0.0:* LISTEN 1234/sshd
An administrator runs 'systemctl status sshd' and sees the output above. The administrator wants sshd to start automatically at boot. Which command should be used?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "which command"
Why it matters: Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
systemctl enable sshd
The `systemctl enable sshd` command creates the necessary symlinks in the systemd unit configuration directories (e.g., `/etc/systemd/system/multi-user.target.wants/`) so that the sshd service is started automatically at boot. This is the correct way to configure a service to start on boot in a systemd-based Linux distribution.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
systemctl reenable sshd
Why it's wrong here
Not a valid systemctl command; the correct command is 'enable'.
✗
systemctl mask sshd
Why it's wrong here
Masks the service, preventing it from starting.
✗
systemctl start sshd
Why it's wrong here
Starts the service now but does not enable autostart at boot.
✓
systemctl enable sshd
Why this is correct
Creates symlinks to enable the service to start at boot.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "which command" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is confusing `systemctl start` (immediate runtime start) with `systemctl enable` (persistent boot-time start), leading candidates to choose Option C when the question explicitly asks for automatic startup at boot.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Not a valid systemctl command; the correct command is 'enable'.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, `systemctl enable` creates a symbolic link from the unit file in `/lib/systemd/system/` (or `/etc/systemd/system/`) into the appropriate `.wants/` directory of the target (e.g., `multi-user.target.wants/`), which systemd reads at boot to determine which services to start. A real-world scenario is enabling SSH on a headless server; if you only use `systemctl start`, a reboot would leave the service off, potentially locking you out remotely.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A network engineer segments a warehouse floor into three subnets: 20 scanners, 5 printers, and 2 management hosts. Picking the wrong mask wastes addresses or leaves too few usable hosts. Exam questions test whether you can apply CIDR notation, calculate block size, and identify the correct usable-host range for a given prefix.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Service Configuration — This question tests Service Configuration — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: systemctl enable sshd — The `systemctl enable sshd` command creates the necessary symlinks in the systemd unit configuration directories (e.g., `/etc/systemd/system/multi-user.target.wants/`) so that the sshd service is started automatically at boot. This is the correct way to configure a service to start on boot in a systemd-based Linux distribution.
What should I do if I get this LFCS question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "which command". Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A system administrator needs to ensure the Apache httpd service starts automatically on system boot. Which command should they use?
easy
✓ A.systemctl enable httpd
B.systemctl start httpd
C.systemctl disable httpd
D.systemctl reload httpd
Why A: The `systemctl enable httpd` command creates the necessary symlinks in the systemd unit configuration directories (typically `/etc/systemd/system/multi-user.target.wants/`) to ensure the Apache httpd service starts automatically at boot time. This is the correct approach because `enable` configures the service to be started on system startup, whereas `start` only runs it immediately without affecting boot behavior.
Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
This LFCS practice question is part of Courseiva's free Linux Foundation certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the LFCS exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.