mediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
XK0-006 Practice Question: A Linux server is experiencing slow boot times
A Linux server is experiencing slow boot times. The administrator wants to identify which systemd services are taking the longest to start. Which command should be used?
⚠ Common exam trap
Test-takers frequently confuse `systemd-analyze time` (which gives a high-level summary) with `systemd-analyze blame` (which provides the per-service detail needed to identify the slowest service).
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
✓
systemd-analyze blame
The `systemd-analyze blame` command prints a list of all running systemd units, sorted by the time they took to initialize during boot. This directly answers the administrator's need to identify which services are causing slow boot times by showing the exact startup duration for each unit.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
systemd-analyze time
Why it's wrong here
This shows the total boot time and time spent in kernel and initrd, not individual services.
- ✗
journalctl -b -p 3
Why it's wrong here
This shows error logs from the current boot, not service start times.
- ✗
systemctl list-units --all
Why it's wrong here
This lists all units but does not show start times.
- ✓
systemd-analyze blame
Why this is correct
This displays each service and its initialization time, sorted descending.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Linux Fundamentals and History
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.
Key term
Linux
Linux is an open-source operating system that manages computer hardware and software, widely used in servers, desktops, and embedded systems.
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