LPIC-2 Practice Question: Block Devices, Filesystems and Advanced Storage
After adding a new LUN to an existing SAN, the administrator runs multipath -ll but sees the new LUN as 'failed'. The multipathd service is running. What is the most likely cause?
⚠ Common exam trap
LPI often tests the misconception that multipathd needs a restart or configuration change for new LUNs, but the real issue is almost always the SCSI layer not having discovered the device due to incomplete SAN presentation or missing bus rescan.
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 new LUN has not been presented to the host from the SAN
When a new LUN appears as 'failed' in `multipath -ll` output, the most common cause is that the LUN has not been properly presented to the host from the SAN. Even if the multipathd service is running, multipathd can only manage devices that the SCSI layer has already discovered. If the SAN administrator has not zoned or masked the LUN to the host, the host's SCSI subsystem never sees the device, so multipathd reports it as 'failed' because it cannot find the underlying paths.
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 multipathd daemon needs to be restarted
Why it's wrong here
Restarting is unnecessary; multipathd is already running and would still show failure if LUN is not presented.
- ✓
The new LUN has not been presented to the host from the SAN
Why this is correct
If the LUN is not presented, the host cannot see it, causing all paths to show 'failed'.
- ✗
The /etc/multipath.conf needs to be edited to include the new LUN
Why it's wrong here
Multipath discovers LUNs automatically; config editing is not required for detection.
- ✗
The scsi device needs to be manually created with mknod
Why it's wrong here
SCSI devices are created automatically by udev; manual mknod is not required.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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