XK0-006 Services and User Management Practice Question
A Linux administrator needs to configure a system so that the service `httpd` starts automatically when the system boots into the default target. Which command should the administrator use?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates confuse the immediate action of starting a service with the persistent action of enabling it at boot.
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
✓
systemctl enable httpd
Enabling a service with `systemctl enable httpd` sets up the proper symlinks so that systemd starts the service when the default target is reached during boot. Starting the service only affects the current runtime, while enabling ensures persistence across reboots. Other commands like `chkconfig` are for older init systems and `daemon-reload` only refreshes unit definitions.
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 daemon-reload
Why it's wrong here
`systemctl daemon-reload` reloads the systemd manager configuration, such as after modifying unit files. It does not enable or start a service. It is used to apply changes to unit files without rebooting, but it does not set a service to start automatically at boot.
- ✓
systemctl enable httpd
Why this is correct
The `systemctl enable httpd` command creates the necessary symbolic links in the systemd configuration directories to ensure the httpd service is started automatically when the system reaches the default target during boot. This is the standard method for enabling a service to start at boot on modern Linux distributions using systemd.
- ✗
systemctl start httpd
Why it's wrong here
The `systemctl start httpd` command only starts the httpd service immediately in the current session. It does not configure the service to start automatically at boot. To achieve boot persistence, the service must be enabled using `systemctl enable`, not just started.
- ✗
chkconfig httpd on
Why it's wrong here
`chkconfig` is a legacy command used with SysVinit and Upstart systems. Modern Linux distributions using systemd, such as RHEL 7+ and Ubuntu 16.04+, do not use `chkconfig` for service management. Even if the command is available as a compatibility wrapper, it may not correctly integrate with systemd targets.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Installing Linux and Package Management
Key term
systemctl
systemctl is the command-line tool used to inspect, start, stop, enable, or disable services managed by the systemd init system in Linux.
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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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official CompTIA exam blueprint
This XK0-006 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA 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 XK0-006 exam.