LPIC-2 Practice Question: Block Devices, Filesystems and Advanced Storage
This LPIC-2 practice question tests your understanding of block devices, filesystems and advanced storage. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 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?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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.
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.
✗
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.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
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.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
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.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
The output shows multipath -ll works, so multipathd is running.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Multipath I/O relies on the SCSI layer and the device mapper to aggregate multiple physical paths to a LUN. When all paths show 'failed', it typically indicates a loss of connectivity at the Fibre Channel or iSCSI layer, such as a cable pull, switch failure, or target port issue. The /proc/scsi/scsi file confirms the SCSI devices are detected, but the paths are marked 'failed' because the transport layer (e.g., FC link) is down, preventing I/O from completing.
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.
Block Devices, Filesystems and Advanced Storage — This question tests Block Devices, Filesystems and Advanced Storage — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: 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.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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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