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.
Network Topology
Refer to the exhibit. Which kernel version will be booted by default when using a standard GRUB2 configuration that uses the symlinks vmlinuz and initrd.img?
Depends on GRUB_DEFAULT setting, but if not set, it will boot the highest versioned kernel
Why wrong: While GRUB usually picks the highest version, the symlinks are the decisive factor; the configuration may not always sort correctly, but standard default behavior follows symlinks.
B
It will prompt to choose between the two kernels
Why wrong: Unless configured with GRUB_DEFAULT=saved or other options, GRUB uses the boot entry that references the symlinks, which points to the newer kernel.
C
5.10.0-9-amd64
The symlinks are updated to point to the latest installed kernel, so GRUB uses that as default.
D
5.10.0-8-amd64
Why wrong: The symlink vmlinuz points to vmlinuz-5.10.0-9, not the 5.10.0-8 version.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
5.10.0-9-amd64
In a standard GRUB2 configuration, the symlinks `vmlinuz` and `initrd.img` point to the latest installed kernel version. When GRUB2 generates its boot menu using `update-grub` (or `grub-mkconfig`), it reads these symlinks to create the default boot entry. Therefore, the default booted kernel is the one pointed to by these symlinks, which in this case is 5.10.0-9-amd64.
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.
✗
Depends on GRUB_DEFAULT setting, but if not set, it will boot the highest versioned kernel
Why it's wrong here
While GRUB usually picks the highest version, the symlinks are the decisive factor; the configuration may not always sort correctly, but standard default behavior follows symlinks.
✗
It will prompt to choose between the two kernels
Why it's wrong here
Unless configured with GRUB_DEFAULT=saved or other options, GRUB uses the boot entry that references the symlinks, which points to the newer kernel.
✓
5.10.0-9-amd64
Why this is correct
The symlinks are updated to point to the latest installed kernel, so GRUB uses that as default.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
5.10.0-8-amd64
Why it's wrong here
The symlink vmlinuz points to vmlinuz-5.10.0-9, not the 5.10.0-8 version.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates assume GRUB2 automatically selects the highest versioned kernel based on version string comparison, when in reality it relies on the symlinks `vmlinuz` and `initrd.img` to determine the default boot entry.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, `update-grub` runs `grub-mkconfig`, which reads the symlinks `/vmlinuz` and `/initrd.img` (or their equivalents in `/boot`) to generate the default boot stanza. These symlinks are maintained by the kernel package manager (e.g., `apt` on Debian/Ubuntu) and are updated to point to the latest kernel version upon installation or removal. In a real-world scenario, if a system administrator manually changes these symlinks, the default boot kernel will change accordingly, which is a common method for pinning a specific kernel version without modifying GRUB configuration files.
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 — 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: 5.10.0-9-amd64 — In a standard GRUB2 configuration, the symlinks `vmlinuz` and `initrd.img` point to the latest installed kernel version. When GRUB2 generates its boot menu using `update-grub` (or `grub-mkconfig`), it reads these symlinks to create the default boot entry. Therefore, the default booted kernel is the one pointed to by these symlinks, which in this case is 5.10.0-9-amd64.
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.
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Question Discussion
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