The answer is the mdadm --create command with the correct device and level parameters. This is the correct first step because RAID arrays are built from underlying block devices, and mdadm initializes the metadata and assembles /dev/sdb1 and /dev/sdc1 into a single mirrored device at /dev/md0 before any filesystem can be created or mounted. On the LPIC-2 exam, this tests your understanding of the RAID creation workflow: you must always create the array first, then format it with mkfs, and finally mount it—a common trap is attempting to format the individual partitions instead of the assembled /dev/md0 device. To create a RAID 1 array using mdadm, remember the order: create, format, mount. A useful memory tip is to think of the command as “mdadm –create /dev/md0 –level=1 –raid-devices=2 /dev/sdb1 /dev/sdc1,” and note that the “1” in –level=1 stands for mirroring, not a single device.
LPIC-2 Practice Question: Block Devices, Filesystems and Advanced Storage
This LPIC-2 practice question tests your understanding of block devices, filesystems and advanced storage. 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.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
# lsblk
NAME MAJ:MIN RM SIZE RO TYPE MOUNTPOINT
sda 8:0 0 100G 0 disk
├─sda1 8:1 0 1G 0 part /boot
├─sda2 8:2 0 49G 0 part /
└─sda3 8:3 0 50G 0 part /home
sdb 8:16 0 100G 0 disk
└─sdb1 8:17 0 100G 0 part
sdc 8:32 0 100G 0 disk
└─sdc1 8:33 0 100G 0 part
The administrator wants to create a RAID 1 array using /dev/sdb1 and /dev/sdc1, then create a filesystem and mount it at /mnt/raid1. Which command sequence should be used first?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "first"
Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
Clue: "which command"
Why it matters: Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
Option B is correct because the first step in creating a RAID 1 array is to assemble the underlying block devices into a RAID device using mdadm. The command `mdadm --create /dev/md0 --level=1 --raid-devices=2 /dev/sdb1 /dev/sdc1` initializes the RAID metadata and creates the array at /dev/md0. Only after the array is created can a filesystem be built on it and then mounted.
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.
✗
mkfs.ext4 /dev/md0
Why it's wrong here
Filesystem can only be created after RAID array exists.
The clue words "first", "which command" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
pvcreate /dev/sdb1 /dev/sdc1
Why it's wrong here
pvcreate is for LVM physical volumes, not software RAID.
✗
fdisk /dev/sdb && fdisk /dev/sdc
Why it's wrong here
Partitioning may be needed but does not create RAID array.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse the order of operations, thinking they can format the array before it exists, or they mistakenly apply LVM or partitioning commands when the devices are already prepared as partitions.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, mdadm writes RAID superblock metadata (version 1.0, 1.1, or 1.2 by default) to each component device, which allows the kernel to reassemble the array automatically on boot. In a RAID 1 (mirror) configuration, data is written identically to both devices, providing redundancy; the array can survive the failure of one disk. A real-world scenario is building a mirrored pair for a critical database server, where the mdadm --create step must be done before any filesystem or LVM layer is added.
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.
Block Devices, Filesystems and Advanced Storage — This question tests Block Devices, Filesystems and Advanced Storage — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: mdadm --create /dev/md0 --level=1 --raid-devices=2 /dev/sdb1 /dev/sdc1 — Option B is correct because the first step in creating a RAID 1 array is to assemble the underlying block devices into a RAID device using mdadm. The command `mdadm --create /dev/md0 --level=1 --raid-devices=2 /dev/sdb1 /dev/sdc1` initializes the RAID metadata and creates the array at /dev/md0. Only after the array is created can a filesystem be built on it and then mounted.
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: "first", "which command". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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