Block Devices, Filesystems and Advanced Storage →hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

LPIC-2 Practice Question: Block Devices, Filesystems and Advanced Storage

Exhibit

cat /etc/multipath.conf
defaults {
    user_friendly_names yes
    find_multipaths yes
}
blacklist {
    devnode "^sd[a-z]"
}
multipath -ll
mpathb (36005076303ffc300000000000000374) dm-2 HP,MB3000FCAPA
size=1.0T features='0' hwhandler='0' wp=rw
`-+- policy='round-robin 0' prio=0 status=active
  |- 1:0:0:0 sdb 8:16 active ready running

An administrator observes that only one path is shown as active for mpathb. What is the most likely cause?

⚠ Common exam trap

Many candidates assume a missing path is due to hardware or service issues, but LPIC-2 tests the understanding that multipath configuration files (especially blacklist rules) are a common cause of path exclusion, even when all physical connections are intact.

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 blacklist rule excludes the other path.

When only one path is active for a multipath device (mpathb), the most likely cause is that the other path is being excluded by a blacklist rule in the multipath configuration. The blacklist can filter out devices based on WWID, device name, or vendor/product, preventing them from being aggregated into the multipath map. This results in the path being visible to the system but not used by multipathd.

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 find_multipaths setting is incorrect.
Why it's wrong here
find_multipaths is enabled, which is fine.
✗
The SCSI devices are not properly connected.
Why it's wrong here
One path appears, so connection is likely fine.
✗
The multipathd service is not running.
Why it's wrong here
If multipathd not running, no multipath device would appear.
✓
The blacklist rule excludes the other path.
Why this is correct
All sd devices are blacklisted, so only one path (maybe not blacklisted due to something else) appears.

Go deeper

LPIC-2 Practice Question: Block Devices, Filesystems and Advanced Storage

Exhibit

Why each option matters

Option-by-option breakdown

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