The answer is the After=network-online.target directive. This is correct because the After= directive in the [Unit] section of a systemd unit file explicitly defines startup ordering, ensuring your service begins only after the specified target has reached an active state—without creating a hard dependency that forces the target to start if it isn’t already enabled. On the CompTIA Linux+ XK0-005 exam, this tests your understanding of systemd’s dependency and ordering mechanics, a frequent topic in service management questions. A common trap is confusing After= with Requires= or Wants=, which create startup dependencies but don’t guarantee ordering; remember that ordering and dependency are separate concepts in systemd. For a quick memory tip: think “After = order, Requires = need”—the After directive controls the sequence, not the requirement.
XK0-005 Scripting, Containers and Automation Practice Question
This XK0-005 practice question tests your understanding of scripting, containers and automation. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 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?
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.
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.
✗
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
Correct. The After directive ensures the service starts after the specified target is reached.
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 that candidates 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='.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, systemd uses a dependency graph where 'After=' only affects the order of activation, not the requirement to activate the target. The network-online.target is a special target that waits for network connectivity to be fully established, often implemented via a service like NetworkManager-wait-online.service or systemd-networkd-wait-online.service. In real-world scenarios, using 'After=network-online.target' without 'Wants=' is common when the service can function without network but should wait if network is available; if the service absolutely needs network, you would combine 'After=' with 'Wants=' or 'Requires='.
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 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.
Scripting, Containers and Automation — This question tests Scripting, Containers and Automation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: 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.
What should I do if I get this XK0-005 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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