LPIC-1 Essential System Services and Networking Practice Question
On a Linux server using systemd and Postfix for email service, an administrator needs to diagnose a delivery failure for a local user. Which command should be used to view the most recent mail-related system journal entries?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is that candidates accustomed to traditional syslog-based logging (e.g., `/var/log/maillog`) may overlook that systemd-based distributions use journald as the primary log collector, making `journalctl -u postfix` the correct command instead of reading static log 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
✓
journalctl -u postfix
`journalctl -u postfix` queries the systemd journal for all log entries associated with the `postfix` unit. Since the server uses systemd, Postfix logs are captured by journald rather than written to traditional files like `/var/log/maillog`. This command shows the most recent mail-related entries, including delivery failures, in reverse chronological order.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
tail -f /var/log/maillog
Why it's wrong here
While maillog may exist, on systemd systems the journal is the primary log source.
- ✗
systemctl status postfix
Why it's wrong here
This shows service status but not detailed log entries.
- ✗
less /var/log/syslog
Why it's wrong here
syslog is a general log file and may not contain specific Postfix entries.
- ✓
journalctl -u postfix
Why this is correct
This command retrieves all journal messages for the postfix unit, ideal for troubleshooting.
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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.