LPIC-1 Administrative Tasks Practice Question
A systemd service unit file must be configured to automatically restart the service if it exits unexpectedly. Which directive should be used?
⚠ Common exam trap
It's easy for candidates to confuse `Restart=always` with `Type=forking` or `RemainAfterExit=yes`, mistakenly thinking these directives handle automatic restarts, when in fact they address process forking or service state after exit.
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
✓
Restart=always
The `Restart=always` directive in a systemd service unit file instructs systemd to automatically restart the service regardless of the exit status, including unexpected crashes or terminations. This ensures high availability by restarting the process whenever it exits, unless explicitly stopped by systemctl. Other directives like `Type=forking` or `RemainAfterExit=yes` do not control restart behavior.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Type=forking
Why it's wrong here
This defines the service type, not restart behavior.
- ✓
Restart=always
Why this is correct
This directs systemd to restart the service automatically after it stops, regardless of exit status.
- ✗
RemainAfterExit=yes
Why it's wrong here
This indicates the service is considered active even after its main process exits, but does not restart.
- ✗
ExecStop=/bin/true
Why it's wrong here
This specifies a command to run when stopping the service, not related to restart.
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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.