- A
Use depmod to generate dependency information
Why wrong: depmod generates module dependency files based on symbol usage, but it does not allow specifying load order for modules that do not have symbol dependencies.
- B
Use insmod to load module A first, then module B in a startup script
Why wrong: While this works, it is not automatic and does not leverage the modprobe dependency system; it also requires manual script management.
- C
Add options module_a softdep=module_b to /etc/modprobe.d/
The softdep option in modprobe.conf allows specifying pre- and post-dependencies, ensuring module A is loaded before module B.
- D
Add module B to the /etc/modules file
Why wrong: The /etc/modules file is used by some distributions to list modules to load at boot, but it does not enforce loading order.
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 system administrator has multiple kernel modules that depend on each other. Module A must be loaded before module B. How can this dependency be ensured automatically when using modprobe?
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
Add options module_a softdep=module_b to /etc/modprobe.d/
Option C is correct because the `softdep` directive in a modprobe configuration file (e.g., `/etc/modprobe.d/*.conf`) allows you to declare a soft dependency where one module should be loaded before another, without creating a hard dependency in the module symbol table. When `modprobe` processes this directive, it ensures that module A is loaded before module B automatically, even if there is no explicit symbol dependency between them.
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.
- ✗
Use depmod to generate dependency information
Why it's wrong here
depmod generates module dependency files based on symbol usage, but it does not allow specifying load order for modules that do not have symbol dependencies.
- ✗
Use insmod to load module A first, then module B in a startup script
Why it's wrong here
While this works, it is not automatic and does not leverage the modprobe dependency system; it also requires manual script management.
- ✓
Add options module_a softdep=module_b to /etc/modprobe.d/
Why this is correct
The softdep option in modprobe.conf allows specifying pre- and post-dependencies, ensuring module A is loaded before module B.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Add module B to the /etc/modules file
Why it's wrong here
The /etc/modules file is used by some distributions to list modules to load at boot, but it does not enforce loading order.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse `depmod` (which resolves symbol-based dependencies) with `softdep` (which resolves ordering dependencies without symbol links), leading them to incorrectly choose Option A as the automatic solution.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The `softdep` directive works by creating a synthetic dependency entry in the module's dependency metadata that `modprobe` reads at load time. Under the hood, `modprobe` parses the `modules.softdep` file (generated by `depmod -a` from `softdep` lines in modprobe.d files) and ensures that the 'pre' modules are loaded before the target module, and 'post' modules are loaded after. A real-world scenario is when a hardware driver (module A) must initialize a bus controller before a device driver (module B) can probe the device, but neither module exports symbols to the other.
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 — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Linux Kernel and System Startup practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All LPIC-2 questions
511 questions across all exam domains
- →
Linux Professional Institute Certification Level 2 LPIC-2 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
LPIC-2 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related LPIC-2 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Linux Kernel and System Startup practice questions
Practise LPIC-2 questions linked to Linux Kernel and System Startup.
Block Devices, Filesystems and Advanced Storage practice questions
Practise LPIC-2 questions linked to Block Devices, Filesystems and Advanced Storage.
Advanced Networking Configuration practice questions
Practise LPIC-2 questions linked to Advanced Networking Configuration.
DNS, Web and Mail Services practice questions
Practise LPIC-2 questions linked to DNS, Web and Mail Services.
File Sharing and Samba practice questions
Practise LPIC-2 questions linked to File Sharing and Samba.
System Security practice questions
Practise LPIC-2 questions linked to System Security.
Network Client Management practice questions
Practise LPIC-2 questions linked to Network Client Management.
LPIC-2 fundamentals practice questions
Practise LPIC-2 questions linked to LPIC-2 fundamentals.
LPIC-2 scenario practice questions
Practise LPIC-2 questions linked to LPIC-2 scenario.
LPIC-2 troubleshooting practice questions
Practise LPIC-2 questions linked to LPIC-2 troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Start a free LPIC-2 practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this LPIC-2 question test?
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: Add options module_a softdep=module_b to /etc/modprobe.d/ — Option C is correct because the `softdep` directive in a modprobe configuration file (e.g., `/etc/modprobe.d/*.conf`) allows you to declare a soft dependency where one module should be loaded before another, without creating a hard dependency in the module symbol table. When `modprobe` processes this directive, it ensures that module A is loaded before module B automatically, even if there is no explicit symbol dependency between them.
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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Keep practising
More LPIC-2 practice questions
- Which TWO of the following are valid methods to modify kernel parameters at runtime without rebooting?
- A systems administrator is troubleshooting a server that fails to boot after a kernel upgrade. The boot process hangs at…
- An administrator is designing a high-availability storage solution using DRBD. The requirement is to have two nodes with…
- Refer to the exhibit. The system boots successfully, but the root filesystem is mounted as read-only even after the boot…
- Which TWO statements about LVM thin provisioning are correct?
- A client on the internet sends a TCP SYN packet to 10.0.1.10:8080. The router receives it on eth0. According to the exhi…
Last reviewed: Jun 25, 2026
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.