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.
/var/log/nginx/*.log {
daily
rotate 14
compress
delaycompress
missingok
notifempty
create 0640 www-data adm
sharedscripts
postrotate
/usr/sbin/nginx -s reload > /dev/null 2>/dev/null || true
endscript
}Refer to the exhibit. How many days of logs are retained before deletion?
/var/log/nginx/*.log {
daily
rotate 14
compress
delaycompress
missingok
notifempty
create 0640 www-data adm
sharedscripts
postrotate
/usr/sbin/nginx -s reload > /dev/null 2>/dev/null || true
endscript
}7
Why wrong: Rotate count is 14, not 7.
365
Why wrong: Not applicable.
30
Why wrong: No indication of 30.
14
Correct: rotate 14 with daily cycle = 14 days.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
14
The correct answer is D (14 days) because the exhibit shows a log rotation configuration using `logrotate` with a `rotate 14` directive, which retains 14 rotated log files before deletion. The `daily` or `weekly` frequency determines how often rotation occurs, but the `rotate` count directly specifies the number of archived logs kept, not the total time span.
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.
7
Why it's wrong here
Rotate count is 14, not 7.
365
Why it's wrong here
Not applicable.
30
Why it's wrong here
No indication of 30.
14
Why this is correct
Correct: rotate 14 with daily cycle = 14 days.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates may misinterpret the `rotate` value as the number of days of retention, but it actually specifies the number of rotated archives to keep, and the actual time span depends on the rotation frequency (e.g., daily, weekly).
Detailed technical explanation
The `logrotate` utility uses the `rotate` directive to specify the number of archived log files to retain before the oldest is deleted. Combined with a rotation frequency (e.g., `daily`, `weekly`, `monthly`), the actual retention period is the product of the frequency and the rotate count. For example, with `daily` and `rotate 14`, logs are kept for 14 days; with `weekly` and `rotate 14`, logs are kept for 14 weeks. The `maxage` directive can also enforce a time-based deletion, but here the `rotate` count is the controlling factor.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the LFCS 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.
What to study next
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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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: 14 — The correct answer is D (14 days) because the exhibit shows a log rotation configuration using `logrotate` with a `rotate 14` directive, which retains 14 rotated log files before deletion. The `daily` or `weekly` frequency determines how often rotation occurs, but the `rotate` count directly specifies the number of archived logs kept, not the total time span.
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.
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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.
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