This LFCS practice question tests your understanding of operation of running systems. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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.
An administrator wants to ensure that a service starts automatically after a system crash. Which systemd command should be used?
systemctl daemon-reload
Why wrong: Reloads systemd configuration, does not manage autostart.
systemctl enable service
Enables the service to start automatically at boot.
systemctl mask service
Why wrong: Disables the service, preventing it from starting.
systemctl start service
Why wrong: Starts the service now, but not automatically after reboot.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
systemctl enable service
The `systemctl enable service` command creates the necessary symlinks in the systemd unit configuration directories (e.g., `/etc/systemd/system/multi-user.target.wants/`) so that the service is automatically started at boot. This includes recovery after a system crash, because the crash triggers a reboot, and the enabled service will be started as part of the normal boot process.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
systemctl daemon-reload
Why it's wrong here
Reloads systemd configuration, does not manage autostart.
systemctl enable service
Why this is correct
Enables the service to start automatically at boot.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
systemctl mask service
Why it's wrong here
Disables the service, preventing it from starting.
systemctl start service
Why it's wrong here
Starts the service now, but not automatically after reboot.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates confuse `systemctl start` (immediate, one-time start) with `systemctl enable` (persistent boot-time start), leading them to choose option D, which does not survive a reboot or crash.
Detailed technical explanation
Under the hood, `systemctl enable` creates a symlink from the unit file in `/usr/lib/systemd/system` (or `/etc/systemd/system`) into a `.wants` directory of a target (e.g., `multi-user.target.wants`). Systemd uses these symlinks to determine which units to activate when entering a target during boot. A subtle behavior is that if the service has `RefuseManualStart=yes` or `RefuseManualStop=yes`, enablement still works for automatic start, but manual start/stop is blocked. In a real-world scenario, after a kernel panic or power failure, the system reboots and systemd processes all enabled targets, ensuring the service restarts without manual intervention.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A network engineer segments a warehouse floor into three subnets: 20 scanners, 5 printers, and 2 management hosts. Picking the wrong mask wastes addresses or leaves too few usable hosts. Exam questions test whether you can apply CIDR notation, calculate block size, and identify the correct usable-host range for a given prefix.
What to study next
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Operation of Running Systems — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
Operation of Running Systems practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
All LFCS questions
513 questions across all exam domains
Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator LFCS study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
LFCS practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Practise LFCS questions linked to User and Group Management.
Practise LFCS questions linked to Operation of Running Systems.
Practise LFCS questions linked to Essential Commands.
Practise LFCS questions linked to Networking.
Practise LFCS questions linked to Service Configuration.
Practise LFCS questions linked to Storage Management.
Practise LFCS questions linked to LFCS fundamentals.
Practise LFCS questions linked to LFCS scenario.
Practise LFCS questions linked to LFCS troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Operation of Running Systems — This question tests Operation of Running Systems — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: systemctl enable service — The `systemctl enable service` command creates the necessary symlinks in the systemd unit configuration directories (e.g., `/etc/systemd/system/multi-user.target.wants/`) so that the service is automatically started at boot. This includes recovery after a system crash, because the crash triggers a reboot, and the enabled service will be started as part of the normal boot process.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Last reviewed: Jun 25, 2026
This LFCS practice question is part of Courseiva's free Linux Foundation 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 LFCS exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.