LPIC-1 System Architecture Practice Question
On a systemd-based system, which file is NOT used for system initialization?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is that candidates familiar with SysV init assume /etc/inittab is still relevant on modern Linux systems, but LPIC-1 tests the distinction between legacy and systemd initialization 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
✓
/etc/inittab
/etc/inittab is the configuration file used by the traditional SysV init system to define runlevels and control terminal getty processes. On a systemd-based system, systemd does not read /etc/inittab; instead, it uses unit files and targets to manage system initialization, making this file unused for that purpose.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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/etc/fstab
Why it's wrong here
/etc/fstab defines mount points and is read by systemd mount units during boot, so it participates in initialisation. It is tempting to exclude because it predates systemd, but it would be the correct answer only if the question asked about legacy SysV init scripts instead.
- ✗
/etc/systemd/system/default.target
Why it's wrong here
default.target is the systemd unit that defines the default boot state, so it is central to initialisation. It is tempting to reject because it is a symlink under /etc/systemd/system, but systemd resolves it to graphical.target or multi-user.target at boot.
- ✓
/etc/inittab
Why this is correct
/etc/inittab belongs to the SysV init and Upstart era, where it defined runlevels and spawned getty processes. On a systemd-based system, initialisation is handled by units and targets, so inittab is ignored entirely. This satisfies the stem's constraint of identifying the file not used for system initialisation.
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/lib/systemd/system/sysinit.target
Why it's wrong here
sysinit.target is a genuine systemd target that pulls in early boot services during initialisation, so it is used. It is tempting to dismiss because it sits under /lib/systemd/system rather than /etc, yet that vendor-supplied directory is exactly where systemd reads unit files from.
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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.