The correct step is to ensure that the logrotate cron job is enabled and that the configuration file has permissions of 644 and is owned by root. This is because logrotate itself does not run automatically; it relies on a cron job—typically located at /etc/cron.daily/logrotate—to execute its daily checks. If that cron job is disabled or the configuration file lacks proper read permissions for the root user, logrotate will never trigger, even if the config syntax is valid. On the CompTIA Linux+ XK0-005 exam, this scenario tests your understanding that logrotate is a cron-driven utility, not a daemon, and that misconfigured permissions on config files are a classic “logrotate not rotating logs” pitfall. A common trap is assuming a successful debug run (logrotate -d) guarantees rotation will occur, but debug mode only validates syntax, not the cron schedule. Memory tip: “Cron and chmod—if logs don’t rotate, check the schedule and the 644 state.”
XK0-005 System Management Practice Question
This XK0-005 practice question tests your understanding of system management. 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.
A company runs a web application on a Linux server (Ubuntu 22.04). The application writes log files to /var/log/app/access.log and error.log. Over time, these logs have grown to several gigabytes, causing the /var partition to reach 98% capacity. The administrator decides to implement log rotation using logrotate. They create a configuration file at /etc/logrotate.d/app with the following content:
/var/log/app/*.log {
weekly
rotate 7
compress
delaycompress
size 100M
missingok
}
They then run `logrotate -d /etc/logrotate.d/app` for debugging, which indicates no errors. However, after several days, the logs are not being rotated. Which step should the administrator take to resolve this?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Ensure that the logrotate cron job is enabled and that the configuration file is readable (644) and owned by root.
The most likely cause is that the logrotate cron job (typically /etc/cron.daily/logrotate) is not being executed, or the configuration file has incorrect permissions. The administrator should verify that the cron job is enabled and running daily, and that the config file is readable by the cron process (owned by root, permissions 644). Option A only forces a one-time rotation, not a permanent fix. Option B is unnecessary because logrotate runs daily by default. Option C is not the root cause; ownership of logs doesn't prevent rotation.
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.
✓
Ensure that the logrotate cron job is enabled and that the configuration file is readable (644) and owned by root.
Why this is correct
The cron job may be disabled or the config file may have wrong permissions; these are common pitfalls.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Change the ownership of /var/log/app to appuser:appgroup.
Why it's wrong here
logrotate runs as root, so ownership of the log directory does not affect rotation.
✗
Run `logrotate -f /etc/logrotate.d/app` to force rotation immediately.
Why it's wrong here
This forces a rotation once but does not resolve why automatic rotation is not occurring.
✗
Add a cron job to run logrotate hourly.
Why it's wrong here
logrotate already runs daily; hourly is excessive and does not fix the underlying issue.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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 practitioner preparing for the XK0-005 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this XK0-005 question in full detail.
Identify which XK0-005 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
System Management — This question tests System Management — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Ensure that the logrotate cron job is enabled and that the configuration file is readable (644) and owned by root. — The most likely cause is that the logrotate cron job (typically /etc/cron.daily/logrotate) is not being executed, or the configuration file has incorrect permissions. The administrator should verify that the cron job is enabled and running daily, and that the config file is readable by the cron process (owned by root, permissions 644). Option A only forces a one-time rotation, not a permanent fix. Option B is unnecessary because logrotate runs daily by default. Option C is not the root cause; ownership of logs doesn't prevent rotation.
What should I do if I get this XK0-005 question wrong?
Identify which XK0-005 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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