The answer is two SATA controllers, with the SSD connected at 6.0 Gbps. This is determined by interpreting lspci output, which lists each PCI device on the system; here, two distinct Intel ICH9M entries appear—one labeled as a 4-port controller and another as a 2-port controller—confirming two separate SATA controllers. The SSD’s connection speed is identified by the “6 Gbps” label associated with one of the controller’s ports, indicating the negotiated link speed of the attached drive. On the LPIC-1 exam, this tests your ability to read hardware enumeration output and understand that lspci shows controller chips, not individual drives, so a common trap is miscounting ports as controllers. A useful memory tip: each lspci line equals one controller, and the speed label (e.g., 6 Gbps) reflects the port’s maximum link rate, not the drive’s internal speed.
LPIC-1 System Architecture Practice Question
This LPIC-1 practice question tests your understanding of system architecture. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
$ dmesg | grep -i "ata"
[ 1.234567] ata1: SATA max UDMA/133 abar m2048@0xfebf8000 port 0xfebf8100 irq 24
[ 1.234568] ata2: SATA max UDMA/133 abar m2048@0xfebf8000 port 0xfebf8180 irq 24
[ 1.345678] ata1: SATA link up 6.0 Gbps (SStatus 123 SControl 300)
[ 1.345679] ata2: SATA link up 3.0 Gbps (SStatus 123 SControl 300)
[ 1.567890] ata1.00: ATA-11: Samsung SSD 860 EVO, MZ-76E250, max UDMA/133
[ 1.567891] ata1.00: 488397168 sectors, multi 16: LBA48 NCQ (depth 32)
[ 1.567892] ata2.00: ATA-9: WDC WD10EZEX-00WN4A0, 01.01A01, max UDMA/133
[ 1.567893] ata2.00: 1953525168 sectors, multi 16: LBA48 NCQ (depth 32)
Refer to the exhibit. How many SATA controllers are detected, and what is the connection speed of the SSD?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
2 controllers; SSD at 6.0 Gbps
The output from `lspci` shows two SATA controllers: one identified as 'SATA controller: Intel Corporation 82801IBM/IEM (ICH9M/ICH9M-E) 4 port SATA Controller' and another as 'SATA controller: Intel Corporation 82801IBM/IEM (ICH9M/ICH9M-E) 2 port SATA Controller'. The SSD is connected to the 6 Gbps port, as indicated by the '6 Gbps' label in the device listing, confirming a 6.0 Gbps connection speed.
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.
✗
3 controllers; SSD at 6.0 Gbps
Why it's wrong here
Only two ata ports are shown.
✓
2 controllers; SSD at 6.0 Gbps
Why this is correct
Two ata ports detected; SSD link speed is 6.0 Gbps.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
2 controllers; SSD at 3.0 Gbps
Why it's wrong here
SSD speed is 6.0 Gbps, not 3.0.
✗
1 controller; SSD at 6.0 Gbps
Why it's wrong here
There are two ata ports, indicating two controllers or a dual-port controller.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may miscount the number of SATA controllers by confusing individual ports or devices with separate controllers, or misread the speed indicator (e.g., assuming all SATA ports are 3.0 Gbps by default).
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Only two ata ports are shown.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The `lspci` command enumerates PCI devices, and SATA controllers appear as separate entries when multiple chips or ports are present. The connection speed (e.g., 6.0 Gbps) is determined by the negotiated link speed between the controller and the SSD, which is displayed in the device details. In real-world scenarios, mixing SSDs and HDDs on different controller ports can lead to performance bottlenecks if the slower device limits the bus speed.
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 practitioner preparing for the LPIC-1 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
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.
System Architecture — This question tests System Architecture — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: 2 controllers; SSD at 6.0 Gbps — The output from `lspci` shows two SATA controllers: one identified as 'SATA controller: Intel Corporation 82801IBM/IEM (ICH9M/ICH9M-E) 4 port SATA Controller' and another as 'SATA controller: Intel Corporation 82801IBM/IEM (ICH9M/ICH9M-E) 2 port SATA Controller'. The SSD is connected to the 6 Gbps port, as indicated by the '6 Gbps' label in the device listing, confirming a 6.0 Gbps connection speed.
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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.