LPIC-2 Linux Kernel and System Startup Practice Question
This LPIC-2 practice question tests your understanding of linux kernel and system startup. 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 new network card driver module is not being loaded at boot. The administrator wants to ensure the module is loaded automatically without modifying the kernel command line. Which file should be used?
This directory is used by systemd to load kernel modules at boot. Adding the module name to a new file here will load it automatically.
B
/lib/modules/$(uname -r)/modules.builtin
Why wrong: This file lists built-in modules, not loadable modules; modifying it has no effect.
C
/etc/modprobe.d/<name>.conf
Why wrong: This directory is for modprobe options and aliases, not for forcing module loading; it can be used with 'install' but is less straightforward.
D
/etc/rc.local
Why wrong: rc.local is a legacy method and may not be executed if systemd is used; it is not the recommended way.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
/etc/modules-load.d/<name>.conf
Option A is correct because /etc/modules-load.d/<name>.conf is the standard configuration directory used by systemd-modules-load.service to load kernel modules at boot without modifying the kernel command line. Files in this directory list module names (one per line) that are loaded automatically during early boot, making it the proper mechanism for ensuring a network card driver module is loaded.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
/etc/modules-load.d/<name>.conf
Why this is correct
This directory is used by systemd to load kernel modules at boot. Adding the module name to a new file here will load it automatically.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
/lib/modules/$(uname -r)/modules.builtin
Why it's wrong here
This file lists built-in modules, not loadable modules; modifying it has no effect.
✗
/etc/modprobe.d/<name>.conf
Why it's wrong here
This directory is for modprobe options and aliases, not for forcing module loading; it can be used with 'install' but is less straightforward.
✗
/etc/rc.local
Why it's wrong here
rc.local is a legacy method and may not be executed if systemd is used; it is not the recommended way.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is confusing /etc/modprobe.d/ (for module options and aliases) with /etc/modules-load.d/ (for specifying modules to load at boot), leading candidates to incorrectly choose option C.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The systemd-modules-load.service reads files from /etc/modules-load.d/ (and /run/modules-load.d/, /usr/lib/modules-load.d/) and passes each module name to modprobe, which handles dependency resolution (e.g., loading required modules like kernel/drivers/net/phy/). This mechanism ensures modules are loaded before network interfaces are brought up, which is critical for network card drivers that need to be available for early boot network configurations like NFS root or PXE.
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-2 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.
Linux Kernel and System Startup — This question tests Linux Kernel and System Startup — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: /etc/modules-load.d/<name>.conf — Option A is correct because /etc/modules-load.d/<name>.conf is the standard configuration directory used by systemd-modules-load.service to load kernel modules at boot without modifying the kernel command line. Files in this directory list module names (one per line) that are loaded automatically during early boot, making it the proper mechanism for ensuring a network card driver module is loaded.
What should I do if I get this LPIC-2 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.
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Question Discussion
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