- A
Edit /etc/rc.d/rc.local to start db_service and set runlevel via 'init 3' in the script. Then use 'at 02:00 shutdown -r now' to schedule reboot and redirect output to /var/log/maintenance.log.
Why wrong: rc.local runs after boot, but setting runlevel via 'init 3' in rc.local is redundant and may cause issues. 'shutdown -r now' reboots immediately, not at 2:00.
- B
Edit /etc/inittab to change the initdefault line to 'id:3:initdefault:' and create an init script for db_service with appropriate symlinks in /etc/rc.d/rc3.d/. Schedule the reboot using 'shutdown -r 02:00' and configure syslog to capture messages to /var/log/maintenance.log.
This correctly sets default runlevel, ensures service starts, schedules reboot, and logs actions via syslog.
- C
Use 'systemctl set-default runlevel3.target' and 'systemctl enable db_service' then schedule reboot with 'shutdown -r 02:00' and log with 'logger' to /var/log/maintenance.log.
Why wrong: systemctl commands are for systemd, not SysV init. The server uses SysV init.
- D
Use 'telinit 3' and 'service db_service start' then run 'reboot' at 2:00 AM. Log actions by appending to /var/log/maintenance.log manually.
Why wrong: telinit 3 changes runlevel immediately, not at scheduled time. Also, manual logging is not automated.
Quick Answer
The answer is Option B, which involves editing /etc/inittab to set the initdefault line to 'id:3:initdefault:' and creating an init script for db_service with symlinks in /etc/rc.d/rc3.d/. This is correct because SysV init determines the default runlevel from the initdefault entry in /etc/inittab, and services are started automatically by placing their init scripts as symlinks in the corresponding rc directory—here, /etc/rc.d/rc3.d/ for runlevel 3. Scheduling the reboot with 'shutdown -r 02:00' ensures the system restarts at the specified time and returns to the default runlevel, while configuring syslog to capture messages to /var/log/maintenance.log provides auditable logging without manual steps. On the LPIC-1 exam, this tests your understanding of SysV init runlevels, service management via symlinks, and the shutdown command’s 24-hour time format. A common trap is confusing runlevel 3 (multi-user with networking) with runlevel 1 (single-user maintenance) or forgetting that initdefault must be explicitly set. Memory tip: "3 for multi, rc3.d for service, shutdown -r for reboot, syslog for log."
LPIC-1 Administrative Tasks Practice Question
This LPIC-1 practice question tests your understanding of administrative tasks. 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.
A Linux administrator is responsible for a server that runs a critical database application. The server uses SysV init and the current runlevel is 3. The administrator needs to schedule a maintenance window for next Sunday at 2:00 AM to apply security patches that require a reboot. The administrator wants to ensure that after the reboot, the system returns to runlevel 3 and the database service (db_service) starts automatically. The administrator also wants to log the maintenance actions to /var/log/maintenance.log. Which of the following is the BEST approach to accomplish these tasks?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"best"Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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
Edit /etc/inittab to change the initdefault line to 'id:3:initdefault:' and create an init script for db_service with appropriate symlinks in /etc/rc.d/rc3.d/. Schedule the reboot using 'shutdown -r 02:00' and configure syslog to capture messages to /var/log/maintenance.log.
Option B is correct because it properly configures SysV init by setting the default runlevel to 3 in /etc/inittab and ensures the database service starts automatically via init scripts with symlinks in /etc/rc.d/rc3.d/. Scheduling the reboot with 'shutdown -r 02:00' (which uses 24-hour format) and configuring syslog to capture messages to /var/log/maintenance.log provides reliable logging without manual intervention.
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.
- ✗
Edit /etc/rc.d/rc.local to start db_service and set runlevel via 'init 3' in the script. Then use 'at 02:00 shutdown -r now' to schedule reboot and redirect output to /var/log/maintenance.log.
Why it's wrong here
rc.local runs after boot, but setting runlevel via 'init 3' in rc.local is redundant and may cause issues. 'shutdown -r now' reboots immediately, not at 2:00.
- ✓
Edit /etc/inittab to change the initdefault line to 'id:3:initdefault:' and create an init script for db_service with appropriate symlinks in /etc/rc.d/rc3.d/. Schedule the reboot using 'shutdown -r 02:00' and configure syslog to capture messages to /var/log/maintenance.log.
Why this is correct
This correctly sets default runlevel, ensures service starts, schedules reboot, and logs actions via syslog.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use 'systemctl set-default runlevel3.target' and 'systemctl enable db_service' then schedule reboot with 'shutdown -r 02:00' and log with 'logger' to /var/log/maintenance.log.
Why it's wrong here
systemctl commands are for systemd, not SysV init. The server uses SysV init.
- ✗
Use 'telinit 3' and 'service db_service start' then run 'reboot' at 2:00 AM. Log actions by appending to /var/log/maintenance.log manually.
Why it's wrong here
telinit 3 changes runlevel immediately, not at scheduled time. Also, manual logging is not automated.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may confuse SysV init commands with systemd commands (like systemctl) or assume that manually running init scripts or using rc.local is sufficient for persistent service management, when in fact proper init script symlinks and inittab configuration are required for SysV.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
systemctl commands are for systemd, not SysV init. The server uses SysV init.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In SysV init, the default runlevel is set by the 'id:3:initdefault:' line in /etc/inittab, and services are started via symlinks in /etc/rc.d/rcN.d/ (where N is the runlevel) pointing to scripts in /etc/init.d/. The 'shutdown -r 02:00' command schedules a reboot at 2:00 AM using the 24-hour clock, and syslog (or rsyslog) can be configured to capture kernel and init messages to a specific file like /var/log/maintenance.log by adding a rule in /etc/rsyslog.conf or /etc/syslog.conf.
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.
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Administrative Tasks — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this LPIC-1 question test?
Administrative Tasks — This question tests Administrative Tasks — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Edit /etc/inittab to change the initdefault line to 'id:3:initdefault:' and create an init script for db_service with appropriate symlinks in /etc/rc.d/rc3.d/. Schedule the reboot using 'shutdown -r 02:00' and configure syslog to capture messages to /var/log/maintenance.log. — Option B is correct because it properly configures SysV init by setting the default runlevel to 3 in /etc/inittab and ensures the database service starts automatically via init scripts with symlinks in /etc/rc.d/rc3.d/. Scheduling the reboot with 'shutdown -r 02:00' (which uses 24-hour format) and configuring syslog to capture messages to /var/log/maintenance.log provides reliable logging without manual intervention.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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.
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