LPIC-1 System Architecture Practice Question
After modifying the /etc/fstab file, an administrator runs the command mount -a and receives the error 'mount: /data: special device /dev/sdb1 does not exist'. What is the most likely issue?
⚠ Common exam trap
It's easy for candidates to assume the device file is missing due to a hardware or driver issue (Option B), but the error specifically points to a path mismatch in fstab, which is a common administrative mistake when editing configuration files.
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
✓
There is a typo in the device path in /etc/fstab.
The `mount -a` command reads all entries in /etc/fstab and attempts to mount them. The error 'special device /dev/sdb1 does not exist' indicates that the kernel cannot find the block device file at that path. The most likely cause is a typographical error in the device path within /etc/fstab, such as a misspelling (e.g., /dev/sdb1 vs /dev/sdb1) or an incorrect partition number, because the device file itself is created by udev and would exist if the hardware were properly detected.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
There is a typo in the device path in /etc/fstab.
Why this is correct
A typo would cause the kernel to not find the device at the specified path, resulting in the 'does not exist' error.
- ✗
The /dev/sdb1 device file is missing or corrupted.
Why it's wrong here
If the device physically exists, udev creates the device file. The error strongly suggests the path is wrong.
- ✗
The entry in /etc/fstab has an incorrect filesystem type.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect filesystem type would produce an error about wrong fs type, not about the device not existing.
- ✗
The filesystem on /dev/sdb1 is not formatted.
Why it's wrong here
If the device exists but is unformatted, the error would be about a missing filesystem, not 'special device does not exist'.
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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.