VA-003 Utilize Vault CLI and API Practice Question
When running Vault in development mode, which storage backend is used by default?
⚠ Common exam trap
HashiCorp often tests the distinction between development mode defaults and production mode defaults, trapping candidates who assume that Raft integrated storage (the production default) is also the development default, or who confuse the file system backend path with a default setting.
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
✓
In-memory backend
When Vault is started in development mode using `vault server -dev`, it defaults to an in-memory storage backend. This is explicitly designed for local testing and development, as all data is stored in memory and lost when the process terminates. The in-memory backend requires no configuration and is automatically selected when no `-dev` flag overrides are provided.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Raft integrated storage
Why it's wrong here
Raft is used in production for high availability.
- ✗
File system backend at /var/lib/vault
Why it's wrong here
File system is used in production, not dev mode.
- ✓
In-memory backend
Why this is correct
Dev mode uses an in-memory backend by default.
- ✗
Consul backend
Why it's wrong here
Consul is a high-availability backend for production.
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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.