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Service ConfigurationmediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

LFCS Service Configuration Practice Question

Exhibit

$ cat /etc/systemd/system/backup.service
[Unit]
Description=Backup Service
After=network.target

[Service]
Type=oneshot
ExecStart=/usr/local/bin/backup.sh
User=backup
Restart=on-failure
RestartSec=30

[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target

$ systemctl show backup.service -p Restart
Restart=no

Refer to the exhibit. The service unit file has Restart=on-failure, but systemctl show displays Restart=no. What is the most likely reason?

⚠ Common exam trap

Linux Foundation often tests the distinction between editing a unit file and reloading the daemon, trapping candidates who assume changes take effect immediately without running `systemctl daemon-reload`.

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

The unit file was edited but systemctl daemon-reload was not run.

The most likely reason is that the unit file was edited but `systemctl daemon-reload` was not executed. When a service unit file is modified, systemd does not automatically reload the configuration; it continues to use the cached version until `systemctl daemon-reload` is run. This explains why `systemctl show` displays `Restart=no` despite the file containing `Restart=on-failure`.

Answer analysis

Option-by-option breakdown

For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.

  • The User=backup directive overrides Restart.

    Why it's wrong here

    User does not affect the Restart setting.

  • The unit file was edited but systemctl daemon-reload was not run.

    Why this is correct

    Without daemon-reload, systemctl show displays the previously loaded configuration.

  • The unit is not enabled.

    Why it's wrong here

    Enable status does not affect the Restart property shown by systemctl show.

  • The Restart directive is only valid for Type=simple.

    Why it's wrong here

    Restart works with all types, but for oneshot the default is no; the directive is still valid.

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JA

Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security

Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva

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.