- A
Use dd if=/dev/sda1 of=/dev/sdb1 bs=4M to clone the partition, then change fstab to use /dev/sdb1.
Why wrong: dd copies raw data including the ext4 filesystem; the target will still be ext4, not XFS.
- B
Add a new disk, create a partition with mkfs.xfs, mount it at /mnt, copy /data contents using cp -a, update /etc/fstab to use the new device, and remount.
This creates a fresh XFS filesystem, preserves permissions with cp -a, and updates fstab for persistence.
- C
Run tune2fs -O xfs /dev/sda1 to change the filesystem type.
Why wrong: tune2fs only works for ext filesystems; XFS conversion is not possible in-place.
- D
Mount an NFS share, use rsync to copy data to the NFS mount, then unmount and reformat the original partition with XFS.
Why wrong: This introduces unnecessary network dependency and risk of data inconsistency.
LPIC-1 Devices, Filesystems and FHS Practice Question
This LPIC-1 practice question tests your understanding of devices, filesystems and fhs. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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.
A company wants to migrate a database server from ext4 to XFS to support larger files and better scalability. The current data resides on a single partition /dev/sda1 mounted at /data. Which procedure ensures a successful migration with minimal 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
Add a new disk, create a partition with mkfs.xfs, mount it at /mnt, copy /data contents using cp -a, update /etc/fstab to use the new device, and remount.
Option B is correct because it provides a safe, low-downtime migration path: create a new XFS filesystem on a separate disk, copy the existing data with `cp -a` to preserve permissions and metadata, update `/etc/fstab` to mount the new XFS device at `/data`, and remount. This avoids modifying the original ext4 partition and ensures the database files are intact on a supported filesystem.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Use dd if=/dev/sda1 of=/dev/sdb1 bs=4M to clone the partition, then change fstab to use /dev/sdb1.
Why it's wrong here
dd copies raw data including the ext4 filesystem; the target will still be ext4, not XFS.
- ✓
Add a new disk, create a partition with mkfs.xfs, mount it at /mnt, copy /data contents using cp -a, update /etc/fstab to use the new device, and remount.
Why this is correct
This creates a fresh XFS filesystem, preserves permissions with cp -a, and updates fstab for persistence.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Run tune2fs -O xfs /dev/sda1 to change the filesystem type.
Why it's wrong here
tune2fs only works for ext filesystems; XFS conversion is not possible in-place.
- ✗
Mount an NFS share, use rsync to copy data to the NFS mount, then unmount and reformat the original partition with XFS.
Why it's wrong here
This introduces unnecessary network dependency and risk of data inconsistency.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may think `dd` or `tune2fs` can convert filesystem types, but `dd` only clones raw data and `tune2fs` is ext-specific, so the only safe method is to create a new XFS filesystem and copy the data.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
XFS uses a B+ tree structure for metadata and supports online defragmentation and resizing (grow only), making it suitable for large database workloads. The `cp -a` command preserves extended attributes, ACLs, and timestamps, which is critical for database files that rely on file-level metadata. In a real-world migration, you would also consider using `xfs_admin` to label the new filesystem and ensure the database is quiesced (e.g., via a snapshot or read-only mode) to guarantee consistency during the copy.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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Devices, Filesystems and FHS — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this LPIC-1 question test?
Devices, Filesystems and FHS — This question tests Devices, Filesystems and FHS — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Add a new disk, create a partition with mkfs.xfs, mount it at /mnt, copy /data contents using cp -a, update /etc/fstab to use the new device, and remount. — Option B is correct because it provides a safe, low-downtime migration path: create a new XFS filesystem on a separate disk, copy the existing data with `cp -a` to preserve permissions and metadata, update `/etc/fstab` to mount the new XFS device at `/data`, and remount. This avoids modifying the original ext4 partition and ensures the database files are intact on a supported filesystem.
What should I do if I get this LPIC-1 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 25, 2026
This LPIC-1 practice question is part of Courseiva's free LPI 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 LPIC-1 exam.
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