LFCS Storage Management Practice Question
Your company runs a critical database server that uses a 2TB XFS filesystem mounted at /data. The filesystem resides on an LVM logical volume (lv_data) within a volume group (vg_data) that spans four physical volumes (each 600GB SSD). You have been receiving low-space alerts: /data is at 95% capacity. After reviewing usage, you determine that the database will need an additional 500GB within the next month. The server has no additional physical disks available, but there is an unused 1TB SSD in inventory that you can install. However, the server is in production and cannot be rebooted. The system uses a 5.10 Linux kernel. Which of the following is the best approach to increase the available space for /data?
⚠ Common exam trap
Test-takers frequently think a reboot or unmounting is required to extend an XFS filesystem on LVM, but `xfs_growfs` works online, and the correct sequence of LVM commands (pvcreate, vgextend, lvextend) followed by `xfs_growfs` is the only way to add space without downtime.
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
✓
Install the new SSD, create a partition with fdisk, run pvcreate, vgextend vg_data, lvextend -L +500G /dev/vg_data/lv_data, and then run xfs_growfs /data.
It follows the proper procedure to add a new physical disk to an existing LVM volume group, extend the logical volume, and then grow the XFS filesystem online without unmounting or rebooting. The `xfs_growfs` command is specifically designed to expand an XFS filesystem while it is mounted, which is essential for a production database server that cannot be rebooted.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Create a RAID 0 array with the existing SSDs and the new SSD using mdadm, then format with XFS and mount at a different mount point, then move data.
Why it's wrong here
RAID 0 would require rebuilding and data migration; not simple expansion.
- ✗
Shrink other logical volumes in vg_data that are not important to free up space, then extend lv_data.
Why it's wrong here
Shrinking XFS is not supported online; also may not free enough space.
- ✓
Install the new SSD, create a partition with fdisk, run pvcreate, vgextend vg_data, lvextend -L +500G /dev/vg_data/lv_data, and then run xfs_growfs /data.
Why this is correct
Online expansion of XFS is supported; all steps are non-disruptive.
- ✗
Backup /data to an external drive, delete the logical volume, volume group, and physical volumes, then recreate everything including the new SSD to have a single large filesystem, then restore data.
Why it's wrong here
Unnecessary downtime and data restoration risk.
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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.