The answer is to run `logrotate -f /etc/logrotate.conf` to force immediate log rotation, then verify with `df -h`. This is correct because the `-f` (force) flag triggers logrotate to run immediately regardless of schedule, compressing or rotating the bloated 50 GB log file and creating a fresh empty one—all without stopping the running application, since logrotate works by renaming and signaling the process. On the CompTIA Linux+ XK0-005 exam, this scenario tests your ability to troubleshoot disk space issues tied to log management, a common real-world problem where cron-based rotation fails or a log grows unexpectedly. A frequent trap is thinking you need to restart the service or manually delete the log file, but `logrotate -f` handles it cleanly. Remember the mnemonic: **F**orce **F**rees—when logs are huge and you need space fast, `-f` is your friend.
XK0-005 System Management Practice Question
This XK0-005 practice question tests your understanding of system management. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 financial services company runs a critical trading application on a Linux server. The application logs to /var/log/trade/app.log. Recently, the application has been crashing intermittently. The administrator suspects disk space issues. Upon checking, /var/log/trade is on a separate partition with 200 GB capacity, and df -h shows only 10% used. However, the administrator notices that log rotation is not working; the log file has grown to 50 GB and is still being written to. The administrator needs to immediately free up space without stopping the application, and also ensure proper log rotation is configured. Which command sequence should the administrator use?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "which command"
Why it matters: Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
Clue: "immediately / without restart"
Why it matters: Time or reboot constraint — the correct answer must take effect right away without requiring a reboot or reload.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Run 'logrotate -f /etc/logrotate.conf' to force rotation, then verify with 'df -h'.
Option B is correct because 'logrotate -f' forces an immediate log rotation without stopping the application, which frees disk space by compressing or removing the old log file and creating a new empty one. The administrator can then verify the freed space with 'df -h'. This approach solves both the immediate space issue and ensures proper rotation is configured for the future.
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.
✗
Run 'mv /var/log/trade/app.log /tmp' to move the file, then create a new empty log file, and check with 'df -h'.
Why it's wrong here
Moving an open file does not free space; the application still holds the old inode.
✓
Run 'logrotate -f /etc/logrotate.conf' to force rotation, then verify with 'df -h'.
Why this is correct
Forces log rotation without stopping the application, freeing space.
Clue confirmation
The clue words "which command", "immediately / without restart" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Run 'systemctl stop trade && rm /var/log/trade/app.log && systemctl start trade' to stop the application, delete the log, and restart.
Why it's wrong here
Stopping the application causes trading disruption and is not necessary.
✗
Run '> /var/log/trade/app.log' to truncate the log file, then check with 'df -h'.
Why it's wrong here
Truncating an open file does not free space until the file descriptor is closed.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA often tests the misconception that deleting or moving a log file while an application holds an open file handle will immediately free disk space, when in fact the space is only released after the file handle is closed.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The 'logrotate -f' command forces logrotate to run immediately regardless of the configured schedule, reading the configuration file (/etc/logrotate.conf) and any included drop-in files. Under the hood, logrotate uses the 'copytruncate' option to copy the log file and then truncate the original, which allows the application to keep writing to the same file descriptor without interruption. In real-world scenarios, this is critical for applications that do not reopen log files on SIGHUP, such as those using syslog-ng or custom logging libraries.
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.
System Management — This question tests System Management — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Run 'logrotate -f /etc/logrotate.conf' to force rotation, then verify with 'df -h'. — Option B is correct because 'logrotate -f' forces an immediate log rotation without stopping the application, which frees disk space by compressing or removing the old log file and creating a new empty one. The administrator can then verify the freed space with 'df -h'. This approach solves both the immediate space issue and ensures proper rotation is configured for the future.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "which command", "immediately / without restart". Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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