LPIC-1 System Architecture Practice Question
A server has two disk drives: /dev/sda (SSD) and /dev/sdb (HDD). The administrator wants to place frequently accessed files on the SSD for performance. Which approach best achieves this using Linux filesystem features?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often confuse RAID 0's speed benefits with the goal of isolating hot data, failing to recognize that RAID 0 mixes all data across both disks, preventing the administrator from selectively placing frequently accessed files on the faster SSD.
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
✓
Create separate LVM logical volumes on each disk and mount them at different mount points.
LVM allows the administrator to create separate logical volumes on each physical disk (/dev/sda and /dev/sdb) and mount them at distinct mount points. By placing frequently accessed files on the SSD logical volume and less critical data on the HDD logical volume, the administrator can directly control which files benefit from the SSD's faster performance without mixing data or requiring complex overlays.
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 separate LVM logical volumes on each disk and mount them at different mount points.
Why this is correct
LVM lets you carve separate logical volumes from each physical disk and mount them at distinct paths, so frequently accessed data lives on the SSD while bulk data stays on the HDD. This satisfies the performance placement requirement without exotic tiering software.
- ✗
Configure RAID 0 across both disks to combine speed.
Why it's wrong here
RAID 0 stripes data across both disks, so every read still touches the HDD and no file is pinned to the SSD; it also removes redundancy. It is tempting because striping improves throughput, but that is sequential bandwidth, not placing frequently accessed files on the faster device.
- ✗
Use symbolic links to redirect file access to the SSD.
Why it's wrong here
Symbolic links merely point specific paths at the SSD; they require manual per-file administration and never detect or relocate frequently accessed data automatically. They are tempting because they redirect access to chosen files, but that is static redirection, not filesystem-driven hot-file placement.
- ✗
Use a union mount to overlay the SSD on top of the HDD.
Why it's wrong here
A union mount overlays directories so writes land on the upper layer, but it does not classify or migrate frequently accessed files by access frequency. It is tempting because overlayfs can direct new writes to the SSD, yet that is write redirection, not hot-file placement.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.