This LPIC-2 practice question tests your understanding of network client management. 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.
An administrator configured an autofs direct map for a remote NFS share. The master map at /etc/auto.master contains a line: '/data /etc/auto.direct'. The direct map file /etc/auto.direct has: '/projects -rw,soft fileserver:/exports/projects'. When a user tries to cd /data/projects, it hangs. The autofs service is running. 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.
The master map should use '/-' instead of '/data' for direct maps.
Direct maps require the master map to have a mount point of '/-'.
The NFS server fileserver is not exporting /exports/projects.
Why wrong: The hang is due to autofs logic, not NFS connectivity.
The autofs service is not started.
Why wrong: Service is running per stem.
The 'soft' mount option is missing.
Why wrong: It is present in the map.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
The master map should use '/-' instead of '/data' for direct maps.
Direct maps in autofs must use the special mount point '/-' in the master map, not an actual directory path like '/data'. When '/data' is specified, autofs treats it as an indirect map key, causing it to look for a subdirectory matching the key under '/data' rather than triggering the direct mount of '/projects'. This mismatch leads to a hang when the user attempts to access '/data/projects' because autofs never attempts the NFS mount.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
The master map should use '/-' instead of '/data' for direct maps.
Why this is correct
Direct maps require the master map to have a mount point of '/-'.
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 NFS server fileserver is not exporting /exports/projects.
Why it's wrong here
The hang is due to autofs logic, not NFS connectivity.
The autofs service is not started.
Why it's wrong here
Service is running per stem.
The 'soft' mount option is missing.
Why it's wrong here
It is present in the map.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often confuse the syntax for direct versus indirect maps in the master map, mistakenly thinking any path can be used for direct maps, when in fact '/-' is a required literal placeholder.
Detailed technical explanation
In autofs, direct maps are triggered by accessing the exact path defined in the map key (e.g., '/projects'), and the master map must use the literal string '/-' to indicate a direct map. The automount daemon parses the master map and, upon seeing '/-', knows to interpret the map file as a direct map where keys are absolute paths. Using a real directory like '/data' causes autofs to create an indirect map trigger, which expects a key relative to that directory, leading to a deadlock when the absolute path '/data/projects' is accessed.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
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FAQ
Network Client Management — This question tests Network Client Management — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: The master map should use '/-' instead of '/data' for direct maps. — Direct maps in autofs must use the special mount point '/-' in the master map, not an actual directory path like '/data'. When '/data' is specified, autofs treats it as an indirect map key, causing it to look for a subdirectory matching the key under '/data' rather than triggering the direct mount of '/projects'. This mismatch leads to a hang when the user attempts to access '/data/projects' because autofs never attempts the NFS mount.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 25, 2026
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