This LPIC-1 practice question tests your understanding of administrative tasks. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 wants to configure log rotation to compress log files daily and keep 30 days of logs. Which of the following configurations achieves this goal?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Add a configuration file in /etc/logrotate.d/ with the contents: '/var/log/mylog { daily rotate 30 compress }'
Option B is correct because logrotate is the standard Linux utility for log rotation, compression, and retention. The configuration directive 'daily rotate 30 compress' in a file under /etc/logrotate.d/ instructs logrotate to rotate logs daily, keep 30 rotated copies, and compress old logs with gzip. This directly meets the requirement of daily compression and 30-day retention.
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.
✗
Set the 'maxlogsize' parameter in /etc/rsyslog.conf
Why it's wrong here
rsyslog does not handle log rotation; that is logrotate's job.
✓
Add a configuration file in /etc/logrotate.d/ with the contents: '/var/log/mylog { daily rotate 30 compress }'
Why this is correct
This is the correct logrotate syntax for daily rotation, 30 rotations, and compression.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Create a cron job that runs 'gzip /var/log/mylog.*' daily
Why it's wrong here
This only compresses logs, does not rotate them.
✗
Edit /etc/logrotate.conf to set 'rotate 30 weekly'
Why it's wrong here
This sets weekly rotation, not daily.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may confuse logrotate's 'rotate' count with a time-based retention period, or assume that rsyslog or a simple cron+gzip approach can handle rotation and retention, when in fact logrotate is the dedicated tool that manages both rotation and compression with precise control over file naming and retention limits.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Logrotate works by renaming the active log file (e.g., mylog.1) and optionally compressing it, then signaling the daemon to reopen the log. The 'rotate 30' count refers to the number of archived files kept, not days; combined with 'daily', it ensures exactly 30 days of history. Under the hood, logrotate uses a cron job (typically in /etc/cron.daily) to run its main configuration, and the 'compress' directive invokes gzip with default options, which can be customized via 'compresscmd' and 'compressext'.
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 practitioner preparing for the LPIC-1 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
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.
Administrative Tasks — This question tests Administrative Tasks — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Add a configuration file in /etc/logrotate.d/ with the contents: '/var/log/mylog { daily rotate 30 compress }' — Option B is correct because logrotate is the standard Linux utility for log rotation, compression, and retention. The configuration directive 'daily rotate 30 compress' in a file under /etc/logrotate.d/ instructs logrotate to rotate logs daily, keep 30 rotated copies, and compress old logs with gzip. This directly meets the requirement of daily compression and 30-day retention.
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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Question Discussion
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