LPIC-2 Linux Kernel and System Startup Practice Question
This LPIC-2 practice question tests your understanding of linux kernel and system startup. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 needs to ensure a kernel module is never loaded, even if requested. Which file should be used?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "never"
Why it matters: Absolute qualifier. True only if the statement has zero exceptions — be cautious of options that seem obvious but break down in edge cases.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
/etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
Option B is correct because the standard mechanism to prevent a kernel module from loading is to add a `blacklist` directive in a file under `/etc/modprobe.d/`, typically named `blacklist.conf`. The `modprobe` utility reads all `.conf` files in this directory, and a `blacklist <module_name>` entry ensures the module is never automatically loaded or loaded via `modprobe`, even if explicitly requested.
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.
✗
/etc/modprobe.d/deny.conf
Why it's wrong here
There is no standard 'deny.conf'; blacklisting is done with 'blacklist' keyword.
✓
/etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
Why this is correct
Adding 'blacklist <module>' to a .conf file in /etc/modprobe.d/ prevents the module from being loaded automatically.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "never" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
/lib/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
Why it's wrong here
System-wide blacklists are in /etc/modprobe.d/, not /lib/.
✗
/etc/modules-load.d/blacklist.conf
Why it's wrong here
modules-load.d is for loading, not blacklisting.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse the purpose of `/etc/modprobe.d/` (for module options and blacklisting) with `/etc/modules-load.d/` (for loading modules at boot), leading them to choose Option D, which is for loading, not blocking.
Trap categories for this question
Keyword trap
There is no standard 'deny.conf'; blacklisting is done with 'blacklist' keyword.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The `blacklist` directive in `modprobe.d` works by adding the module to an internal blacklist that `modprobe` checks before loading; however, it does not prevent the module from being loaded if another module depends on it (dependency resolution can override the blacklist). To truly prevent loading, you can use `install <module> /bin/false` or `blacklist` combined with `softdep` to break dependencies. In real-world scenarios, blacklisting is commonly used for problematic drivers like `nouveau` or `pcspkr` to avoid conflicts or unwanted behavior.
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 security administrator must allow nursing staff to reach a patient records server while blocking access from the guest Wi-Fi VLAN. After applying an extended ACL, traffic is still blocked from nursing workstations. The ACL was applied outbound instead of inbound on the wrong interface. Questions like this test ACL direction and placement rules.
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 — 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: /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf — Option B is correct because the standard mechanism to prevent a kernel module from loading is to add a `blacklist` directive in a file under `/etc/modprobe.d/`, typically named `blacklist.conf`. The `modprobe` utility reads all `.conf` files in this directory, and a `blacklist <module_name>` entry ensures the module is never automatically loaded or loaded via `modprobe`, even if explicitly requested.
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: "never". Absolute qualifier. True only if the statement has zero exceptions — be cautious of options that seem obvious but break down in edge cases.
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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