hardMultiple Choice
XK0-006 Practice Question: A Linux server experiences a kernel panic after a…
A Linux server experiences a kernel panic after a recent driver update. The system is still operational but unstable. Which command should be used to gather detailed information about the kernel modules currently loaded?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often confuse `lsmod` (runtime loaded modules) with `modinfo` (module metadata) or `dmesg` (kernel logs), or mistakenly think `modprobe -l` lists loaded modules when it actually lists available modules (and is deprecated).
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
✓
lsmod
B is correct because `lsmod` lists all currently loaded kernel modules by reading the `/proc/modules` file, showing their size, usage count, and dependencies. In a kernel panic scenario after a driver update, this command quickly reveals which modules are active, helping identify the problematic driver without further destabilizing the system.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
modinfo
Why it's wrong here
modinfo reports metadata about one module named on the command line — its parameters, dependencies and licence — rather than enumerating what is currently loaded. It is the right tool when investigating a specific driver's attributes, but the scenario needs a listing of all loaded modules.
- ✓
lsmod
Why this is correct
lsmod reads /proc/modules and lists every kernel module currently loaded, with size and dependency information. This gives the detailed module inventory needed to identify the suspect driver after the panic, without altering the unstable running system.
- ✗
dmesg
Why it's wrong here
dmesg prints the kernel ring buffer, showing boot and driver messages, not an inventory of loaded modules. It helps diagnose the panic's cause, but the question asks which modules are currently loaded. dmesg would be correct when tracing hardware or driver errors logged at load time.
- ✗
modprobe -l
Why it's wrong here
modprobe -l lists modules available on disk in the module tree, not those currently loaded into the running kernel. It is useful for confirming a module file exists before loading it, but it cannot show the loaded set the scenario requires.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Linux Fundamentals and History
Key term
Linux
Linux is an open-source operating system that manages computer hardware and software, widely used in servers, desktops, and embedded systems.
Key term
Kernel
The kernel is the core program of an operating system that manages hardware resources and provides essential services for all other software to run.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.