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.
Which file contains the filesystem table that is read during system boot to mount filesystems?
/etc/mtab
Why wrong: mtab shows currently mounted filesystems.
/proc/mounts
Why wrong: proc/mounts shows currently mounted filesystems.
/etc/mounts
Why wrong: Not a standard file.
/etc/fstab
fstab is read at boot to mount filesystems.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
/etc/fstab
Option D is correct because /etc/fstab is the filesystem table file that is read by the system during boot (via mount -a or systemd-fstab-generator) to automatically mount filesystems. It contains entries specifying devices, mount points, filesystem types, mount options, dump and pass fields, and is the standard configuration file for static filesystem mounting.
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.
/etc/mtab
Why it's wrong here
mtab shows currently mounted filesystems.
/proc/mounts
Why it's wrong here
proc/mounts shows currently mounted filesystems.
/etc/mounts
Why it's wrong here
Not a standard file.
/etc/fstab
Why this is correct
fstab is read at boot to mount filesystems.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates confuse /etc/fstab (the static boot-time configuration) with /etc/mtab (the dynamic runtime mount list) or /proc/mounts (the kernel's current view), especially since /etc/mtab is often a symlink to /proc/self/mounts on modern systems.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
mtab shows currently mounted filesystems.
Detailed technical explanation
Under the hood, /etc/fstab is parsed by the mount command with the -a option or by systemd's fstab-generator to create mount units; each line follows the format: <device> <mount_point> <fstype> <options> <dump> <pass>. A subtle behavior is that the 'pass' field controls fsck order (0=no check, 1=root, 2=others), and misconfiguration can cause boot failures or skipped filesystem checks. In real-world scenarios, an incorrect entry in /etc/fstab can lead to a system hanging at boot if the device is missing, requiring recovery mode to edit the file.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
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FAQ
Block Devices, Filesystems and Advanced Storage — This question tests Block Devices, Filesystems and Advanced Storage — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: /etc/fstab — Option D is correct because /etc/fstab is the filesystem table file that is read by the system during boot (via mount -a or systemd-fstab-generator) to automatically mount filesystems. It contains entries specifying devices, mount points, filesystem types, mount options, dump and pass fields, and is the standard configuration file for static filesystem mounting.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 25, 2026
This LPIC-2 practice question is part of Courseiva's free LPI certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the LPIC-2 exam.
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