LPIC-1 Devices, Filesystems and FHS Practice Question
This LPIC-1 practice question tests your understanding of devices, filesystems and fhs. 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.
An application assumes its data is stored in /opt/app/data, but the /opt filesystem is running out of space. The administrator moves the data to /var/app/data. Which method will allow the application to continue accessing the data at /opt/app/data without modifying the application's configuration?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use mount --bind /var/app/data /opt/app/data
Option C is correct because `mount --bind` creates a bind mount that makes the contents of `/var/app/data` appear at `/opt/app/data` without moving or copying files. The application continues to access the data at the original path, and the kernel transparently redirects all filesystem operations to the new location. This avoids modifying the application's configuration or creating a symbolic link that might not be followed by all programs (e.g., those using `chroot` or running with restricted permissions).
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.
✗
Use ln -s /var/app/data /opt/app/data
Why it's wrong here
This is similar to A, creates a symlink; same limitations.
✗
Edit /etc/fstab to mount /var/app/data at /opt/app/data
Why it's wrong here
Mounting a filesystem to a non-empty directory will hide its contents; this would remove access to any existing data in /opt/app/data.
✓
Use mount --bind /var/app/data /opt/app/data
Why this is correct
Bind mount makes /var/app/data accessible at /opt/app/data, preserving all file attributes and paths.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Create a symbolic link /opt/app/data -> /var/app/data
Why it's wrong here
Symlink works for most cases but can break with absolute paths or in chroot environments; not as robust as bind mount.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often choose symbolic links (options A or D) because they seem simpler, but they overlook that some applications or system services (e.g., those running under `chroot` or with `noexec` restrictions) may not follow symlinks, whereas a bind mount works at the kernel level and is fully transparent.
Trap categories for this question
Similar concept trap
This is similar to A, creates a symlink; same limitations.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Bind mounts are a feature of the Linux kernel's VFS layer that allow an arbitrary directory tree to be mounted at another location, effectively creating an alias. Unlike symbolic links, bind mounts are transparent to all system calls, including `chroot`, `pivot_root`, and `openat` with `AT_FDCWD`, making them ideal for relocating data without breaking applications that use absolute paths or have strict security policies. In real-world scenarios, bind mounts are often used in containerization (e.g., Docker's `--mount type=bind`) or to migrate data to a larger filesystem while maintaining legacy path expectations.
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 small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
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.
Devices, Filesystems and FHS — This question tests Devices, Filesystems and FHS — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use mount --bind /var/app/data /opt/app/data — Option C is correct because `mount --bind` creates a bind mount that makes the contents of `/var/app/data` appear at `/opt/app/data` without moving or copying files. The application continues to access the data at the original path, and the kernel transparently redirects all filesystem operations to the new location. This avoids modifying the application's configuration or creating a symbolic link that might not be followed by all programs (e.g., those using `chroot` or running with restricted permissions).
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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