LPIC-1 Devices, Filesystems and FHS Practice Question
This LPIC-1 practice question tests your understanding of devices, filesystems and fhs. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 database server with high I/O requirements needs a filesystem layout optimized for performance. The server has four identical 500GB SSDs. Which design best balances performance and reliability, considering the need to separate transaction logs from data files?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use one SSD for transaction logs and the other three in RAID 0 for data files.
Option D is correct because it isolates transaction logs on a dedicated SSD to eliminate write contention with data files, while the remaining three SSDs in RAID 0 maximize sequential throughput for data. This design prioritizes performance for high-I/O workloads, accepting the reliability trade-off of RAID 0 for data, which is acceptable when logs (critical for recovery) are on a separate, non-striped device.
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 all four SSDs in RAID 10.
Why it's wrong here
RAID 10 offers performance and redundancy but reduces capacity by half, and does not separate logs from data.
✗
Use two SSDs in RAID 1 for logs and two in RAID 1 for data.
Why it's wrong here
RAID 1 provides redundancy but reduces available capacity; logs may not need redundancy if backed up.
✗
Combine all four SSDs into a single RAID 0 volume, then partition for data and logs.
Why it's wrong here
RAID 0 offers no redundancy, and mixing logs and data on same volume can cause contention.
✓
Use one SSD for transaction logs and the other three in RAID 0 for data files.
Why this is correct
Separates logs from data for performance; RAID 0 maximizes data throughput, logs benefit from dedicated device.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
LPI often tests the misconception that RAID 10 is always the best balance of performance and reliability, but in this scenario, the need to physically separate logs from data and maximize throughput for high-I/O workloads makes a dedicated log device with RAID 0 for data the optimal performance choice, despite reduced redundancy.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Transaction logs are written sequentially and benefit from low latency and dedicated I/O channels, while data files often involve random reads/writes that benefit from striping. In practice, separating logs onto a dedicated device reduces write latency by avoiding head contention (even on SSDs, queue depth matters). RAID 0 on three SSDs yields ~1500 MB/s sequential throughput (assuming 500 MB/s per drive), which is ideal for large data file operations, but the lack of redundancy means backups must be frequent. The LPIC-1 exam expects understanding that filesystem layout decisions involve trade-offs between performance, capacity, and reliability, as outlined in the Filesystem Hierarchy Standard (FHS) and RAID levels.
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.
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: Use one SSD for transaction logs and the other three in RAID 0 for data files. — Option D is correct because it isolates transaction logs on a dedicated SSD to eliminate write contention with data files, while the remaining three SSDs in RAID 0 maximize sequential throughput for data. This design prioritizes performance for high-I/O workloads, accepting the reliability trade-off of RAID 0 for data, which is acceptable when logs (critical for recovery) are on a separate, non-striped device.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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