LPIC-1 System Architecture Practice Question
Which TWO commands can be used to set the default boot target (runlevel) in systemd?
⚠ Common exam trap
Watch out — candidates often confuse `systemctl isolate` (which changes the current runlevel immediately) with `systemctl set-default` (which sets the persistent default), or they mistakenly think `systemctl enable` sets the default target when it only enables a unit for automatic startup.
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
✓
ln -sf /lib/systemd/system/multi-user.target /etc/systemd/system/default.target
Creating a symbolic link from `/lib/systemd/system/multi-user.target` to `/etc/systemd/system/default.target` directly sets the default boot target in systemd. This is the traditional method that overrides the default target by pointing the `default.target` symlink to the desired target unit, which systemd reads at boot to determine the runlevel.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
ln -sf /lib/systemd/system/multi-user.target /etc/systemd/system/default.target
Why this is correct
Manually creates the symlink for default target.
- ✗
systemctl isolate multi-user.target
Why it's wrong here
Changes the current target but does not set default.
- ✗
systemctl default multi-user.target
Why it's wrong here
Not a valid systemctl command.
- ✗
systemctl enable multi-user.target
Why it's wrong here
Using `systemctl enable multi-user.target` does not set the system's default boot target. This command creates symlinks to ensure a unit is started when its dependencies are met or when a specific target is activated, rather than defining the initial system-wide target loaded upon startup. It is tempting because `multi-user.target` is a common boot target, and "enable" suggests activation. However, this command is actually used to ensure a service or target is pulled in as a dependency by another unit, not to establish the primary boot target.
- ✓
systemctl set-default multi-user.target
Why this is correct
Sets the default target to multi-user.
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
Courseiva writes every LPIC-1 question from scratch — 527 in total, each with an explanation and a wrong-answer breakdown. None are copied from real exams or dumps. 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.