LPIC-1 Devices, Filesystems and FHS Practice Question
Exhibit
Exhibit: Output of `df -h` Filesystem Size Used Avail Use% Mounted on /dev/mapper/vg_root-lv_root 20G 18G 1.1G 95% / /dev/sda1 487M 112M 348M 25% /boot tmpfs 1.9G 0 1.9G 0% /dev/shm /dev/mapper/vg_data-lv_data 50G 30G 18G 63% /data
Refer to the exhibit. The root filesystem is nearly full. The administrator needs to increase its size. Which steps should be performed?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many exam-takers assume the root filesystem is on a traditional partition and attempt to resize it with fdisk or parted, failing to recognize that LVM requires a different workflow with lvextend and resize2fs.
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
✓
Use lvextend to extend the logical volume and then resize2fs to resize the filesystem
The root filesystem is on an LVM logical volume, as indicated by the exhibit (e.g., /dev/mapper/rootvg-rootlv). To increase its size, you must first extend the logical volume using lvextend, then resize the filesystem with resize2fs. This two-step process ensures the underlying block device and the filesystem are both enlarged to utilize the newly available space.
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 parted to resize the root partition and then mount it
Why it's wrong here
Resizing the partition with parted does not grow the filesystem itself, and remounting does not resize it; resize2fs must run afterwards. It is tempting because parted is the correct tool for manipulating the partition table when extending a partition into adjacent unallocated space.
- ✗
Use fdisk to increase the size of /dev/sda1 and then run resize2fs
Why it's wrong here
fdisk writes the partition table but does not inform the running kernel of the new size, so resize2fs would still see the old block device size; partprobe or a reboot is required first. It is tempting because fdisk plus resize2fs is the correct sequence for growing a partition on a disk with free space.
- ✓
Use lvextend to extend the logical volume and then resize2fs to resize the filesystem
Why this is correct
lvextend grows the logical volume using free space in its volume group, then resize2fs expands the ext4 filesystem online to occupy that new space. Both steps are required because enlarging the LV alone leaves the filesystem unchanged.
- ✗
Create a new filesystem on /dev/sda2 and mount it to /
Why it's wrong here
Creating a fresh filesystem on /dev/sda2 and mounting it at / would discard the existing root data and cannot extend the current filesystem in place. It is tempting because adding a separate partition is the correct approach when you need extra storage mounted at a new mount point, such as /data.
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
One of 402 original LPIC-1 practice questions on Courseiva, each with a full explanation and wrong-answer analysis — not exam dumps or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
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.