LPIC-2 Practice Question: Block Devices, Filesystems and Advanced Storage
A storage administrator sees the following output from multipath -ll: 'dm-3 (3600605b0038f1f0019f1f7e00000000) size=10G features='0' hwhandler='0' wp=rw' but the paths are all 'failed'. The scsi devices are listed in /proc/scsi/scsi. What is the most likely cause?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is that candidates see 'failed' paths and assume a software configuration issue (like multipathd not running or missing bindings), but the presence of the multipath device and SCSI devices in /proc/scsi/scsi points to a physical layer problem instead.
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
✓
The SAN fiber cables are disconnected
The output from multipath -ll shows the multipath device dm-3 with its WWID and size, but all paths are 'failed'. Since /proc/scsi/scsi lists the SCSI devices, the host bus adapters (HBAs) and drivers are functioning at the OS level. The most common cause for all paths to fail simultaneously is a physical connectivity issue, such as disconnected SAN fiber cables, which prevents the initiator from reaching the target LUNs.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The device mapper is not configured
Why it's wrong here
The multipath device is present, so device mapper is configured.
- ✗
The multipathd daemon is not running
Why it's wrong here
The output shows multipath -ll works, so multipathd is running.
- ✓
The SAN fiber cables are disconnected
Why this is correct
If cables are disconnected, paths show 'failed' even though the scsi devices are detected.
- ✗
The multipath configuration uses user_friendly_names but the bindings file is missing
Why it's wrong here
Missing bindings file causes /dev/mapper/ names to be missing, not path status.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This LPIC-2 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-2 exam.