This LPIC-1 practice question tests your understanding of system architecture. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 system administrator is responsible for a Linux server running a critical application. The server recently experienced an unplanned power outage. Upon rebooting, the system fails to reach the default target and drops into an emergency shell. The administrator notices that the root filesystem (/) is mounted read-only. The /etc/fstab file contains the following lines:
The administrator suspects that the /home filesystem has a corrupt superblock and is causing the boot failure. The administrator needs to check and repair the /home filesystem without causing data loss. Which of the following is the correct course of action?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Boot from a live USB, run 'fsck /dev/sdb1' on the unmounted filesystem, then reboot.
The correct option is C: Boot from a live USB and run fsck on the unmounted filesystem. This ensures the filesystem is not mounted, preventing further corruption. Option A attempts to run fsck on a mounted filesystem, which can cause data loss. Option B attempts to mount the corrupt filesystem read-write before checking, which may worsen the corruption. Option D is overly drastic and unnecessary; a corrupted superblock can often be repaired with fsck using an alternate superblock.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Reinstall the system from backup because the superblock corruption is fatal.
Why it's wrong here
Superblock corruption is often repairable with fsck using an alternate superblock; reinstallation is not the first step.
✓
Boot from a live USB, run 'fsck /dev/sdb1' on the unmounted filesystem, then reboot.
Why this is correct
Using a live environment ensures the filesystem is unmounted, allowing safe repair.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
Run 'fsck /dev/sdb1' from the emergency shell after remounting /home read-write.
Why it's wrong here
Running fsck on a mounted filesystem is dangerous and can cause data loss.
✗
Run 'fsck -y /dev/sdb1' from the emergency shell, but first run 'mount -o remount,rw /home' to make the filesystem writable.
Why it's wrong here
Mounting a corrupt filesystem read-write can exacerbate the corruption.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
→Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
→Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
→Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
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.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related LPIC-1 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
System Architecture — This question tests System Architecture — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Boot from a live USB, run 'fsck /dev/sdb1' on the unmounted filesystem, then reboot. — The correct option is C: Boot from a live USB and run fsck on the unmounted filesystem. This ensures the filesystem is not mounted, preventing further corruption. Option A attempts to run fsck on a mounted filesystem, which can cause data loss. Option B attempts to mount the corrupt filesystem read-write before checking, which may worsen the corruption. Option D is overly drastic and unnecessary; a corrupted superblock can often be repaired with fsck using an alternate superblock.
What should I do if I get this LPIC-1 question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related LPIC-1 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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