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XK0-006 Practice Question: A DevOps engineer is writing a unit file for a…
A DevOps engineer is writing a unit file for a systemd service that should start after the network-online.target. Which directive should be added to the [Unit] section?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many exam-takers confuse ordering directives ('After=', 'Before=') with dependency directives ('Requires=', 'Wants=', 'BindsTo='), assuming that 'Requires=' or 'Wants=' also imply ordering, which they do not without an explicit 'After='.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
After=network-online.target
The 'After=' directive in the [Unit] section of a systemd unit file specifies the ordering relationship, ensuring that the current service starts only after the named unit (network-online.target) has reached the 'active' state. This is the correct directive for controlling startup order without creating a dependency that would force the target to start if it is not already enabled.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Requires=network-online.target
Why it's wrong here
Requires ensures the target is active, but does not guarantee the service starts after it; ordering is needed.
- ✗
Wants=network-online.target
Why it's wrong here
Wants is a weak dependency; the service will start even if the target fails.
- ✗
BindsTo=network-online.target
Why it's wrong here
BindsTo ties the service lifecycle to the target, but ordering still requires After.
- ✓
After=network-online.target
Why this is correct
After=network-online.target establishes ordering only, ensuring the unit starts once network-online.target has activated, which satisfies the stem's requirement to start after the network is online. Pair it with Wants=network-online.target to also pull that target in; After alone does not create a dependency.
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Related to this question
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File Permissions and Ownership
Key term
Service
A service is a software component or system that performs a specific function and is available to be used by other programs or users over a network.
Key term
systemd
systemd is a system and service manager for Linux operating systems that initializes and manages processes, services, and system resources after the kernel boots.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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