The correct command is `systemctl enable --now syslog`, as the `--now` flag combines enabling the service to start automatically on boot with starting it immediately in a single step. This approach is efficient because `systemctl enable` alone only creates the necessary symlinks for auto-start, while `systemctl start` activates the service right away; using `--now` merges both actions, fulfilling the requirement of having syslog running without a reboot. On the LPIC-1 exam, this tests your understanding of systemd service management, a core objective under System Administration, and a common trap is running `systemctl enable` and `systemctl start` as separate commands or forgetting the `--now` flag entirely. To remember this, think of the mnemonic "Enable Now, Start Now" — the `--now` flag is your shortcut to avoid rebooting or typing two commands.
LPIC-1 Administrative Tasks Practice Question
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 ensure that the syslog service starts automatically on boot and is running immediately without a reboot. Which command sequence should be used?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "which command"
Why it matters: Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
Clue: "immediately / without restart"
Why it matters: Time or reboot constraint — the correct answer must take effect right away without requiring a reboot or reload.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
systemctl enable --now syslog
Option D is correct because `systemctl enable --now syslog` combines enabling the service to start automatically on boot and starting it immediately in a single command. The `--now` flag triggers an immediate start after enabling, fulfilling both requirements without needing a reboot.
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.
✗
systemctl start syslog && systemctl enable syslog
Why it's wrong here
Order reversed; start before enable still requires enable separately.
✗
systemctl start --enable syslog
Why it's wrong here
Invalid option combination; --enable does not exist.
✗
systemctl enable syslog && systemctl start syslog
Why it's wrong here
This works but is not the single-command best practice; enable does not start immediately.
✓
systemctl enable --now syslog
Why this is correct
The --now flag enables and starts the service in one step.
Clue confirmation
The clue words "which command", "immediately / without restart" 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
The trap here is that candidates may think they need to use two separate commands (enable and start) in a specific order, but the `--now` flag is a single-command shortcut that systemd provides, and LPI often tests this to see if you know the combined option exists.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
This works but is not the single-command best practice; enable does not start immediately.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, `systemctl enable` creates symlinks in `/etc/systemd/system/multi-user.target.wants/` (or similar target directories) to ensure the service starts on boot, while `systemctl start` sends a D-Bus message to PID 1 to activate the unit immediately. The `--now` flag combines these operations atomically, which is especially useful in scripts or automated provisioning where you want to avoid race conditions between enabling and starting. In real-world scenarios, using `enable --now` is the standard practice in Ansible or shell scripts to set up services like `sshd` or `nginx`.
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: systemctl enable --now syslog — Option D is correct because `systemctl enable --now syslog` combines enabling the service to start automatically on boot and starting it immediately in a single command. The `--now` flag triggers an immediate start after enabling, fulfilling both requirements without needing a reboot.
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: "which command", "immediately / without restart". Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
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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