VA-003 Compare and configure secrets engines Practice Question
An operator wants to enable the database secrets engine at a custom path 'db-creds'. Which command should be used?
⚠ Common exam trap
HashiCorp often tests the distinction between enabling a secrets engine (`vault secrets enable`) and tuning an existing mount (`vault secrets tune`), trapping candidates who confuse the two or think `vault write` can be used to enable engines directly.
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
✓
vault secrets enable -path=db-creds database
The `vault secrets enable` command with the `-path` flag allows you to mount the database secrets engine at a custom path. The syntax `vault secrets enable -path=db-creds database` correctly specifies the custom path and the engine type, enabling the database secrets engine at the desired location.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
vault secrets enable database
Why it's wrong here
This enables at the default path 'database/', not custom.
- ✓
vault secrets enable -path=db-creds database
Why this is correct
This correctly enables the database secrets engine at the 'db-creds' path.
- ✗
vault write sys/mounts/db-creds type=database
Why it's wrong here
This writes to a mount path but is not the standard way to enable an engine; it may not properly initialize it.
- ✗
vault secrets tune -path=db-creds database
Why it's wrong here
The tune command modifies existing mounts, not enables new ones.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This VA-003 practice question is part of Courseiva's free HashiCorp 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 VA-003 exam.