LPIC-1 Essential System Services and Networking Practice Question
An administrator wants systemd-journald logs to persist across reboots. What must be created?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many exam-takers assume editing the configuration file /etc/journald.conf is sufficient, but without the actual directory /var/log/journal existing, systemd-journald will not switch to persistent storage unless Storage=persistent is explicitly set and the directory is created.
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
✓
The directory /var/log/journal
By default, systemd-journald stores logs in a volatile tmpfs at /run/log/journal, which is cleared on reboot. To make logs persistent, the directory /var/log/journal must be created. When systemd-journald detects this directory exists, it automatically switches to persistent storage, writing logs to /var/log/journal and preserving them across reboots.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The directory /run/log/journal
Why it's wrong here
This is the default volatile location; logs are lost on reboot.
- ✗
The file /etc/journald.conf
Why it's wrong here
This configuration file exists but does not create persistence.
- ✓
The directory /var/log/journal
Why this is correct
If this directory exists and has correct ownership, journald stores logs persistently.
- ✗
The directory /var/spool/journal
Why it's wrong here
This is not a standard journald directory.
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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.