LFCS Service Configuration Practice Question
A system administrator wants to change the default runlevel (target) of a Linux system from graphical.target to multi-user.target. Which command should they use?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often confuse the temporary isolate command with the persistent set-default command.
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
✓
systemctl set-default multi-user.target
The default target is set by the /etc/systemd/system/default.target symlink. The systemctl set-default command manages this symlink, pointing it to the desired target. isolate switches the current runtime state but does not persist. enable is for enabling units to start automatically, not for setting the boot target. Therefore, set-default is the correct command.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
systemctl set-default multi-user.target
Why this is correct
systemctl set-default multi-user.target changes the default target that systemd boots into. It creates a symbolic link /etc/systemd/system/default.target pointing to multi-user.target. This is the correct and persistent way to change the default runlevel on a systemd-based system. It takes effect on the next boot.
- ✗
systemctl default multi-user.target
Why it's wrong here
systemctl default is a command that isolates the default target, optionally taking a unit to start if the default target cannot be reached. It does not set the default target. The syntax systemctl default multi-user.target is not valid for changing the default target; it would attempt to start multi-user.target as a fallback. This is not the correct method.
- ✗
systemctl isolate multi-user.target
Why it's wrong here
systemctl isolate multi-user.target immediately switches the system to multi-user.target, stopping services not required by that target and starting those required. However, it does not change the default target for future boots. This command is used for temporary switching, not for persistent configuration. It would not survive a reboot.
- ✗
systemctl enable multi-user.target
Why it's wrong here
systemctl enable multi-user.target creates symbolic links to enable the unit, but targets are generally not enabled in this way. Enabling a target does not set it as the default boot target. The default target is controlled by the default.target symlink, not by enabling multi-user.target. This command would not achieve the desired persistent change.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Linux Foundation exam blueprint
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.