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.
Which three of the following are required steps to compile and install a custom Linux kernel from source? (Choose three.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Run 'make modules_install' to install compiled modules
Option A is correct because after building kernel modules with 'make', you must run 'make modules_install' to copy the compiled modules into the appropriate directory under /lib/modules/$(uname -r)/, making them available for the kernel to load. This step is essential for any kernel that uses loadable modules, as it populates the module tree with the correct .ko files.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
Run 'make modules_install' to install compiled modules
Why this is correct
This copies modules to /lib/modules/$(uname -r)/.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Run 'update-grub' to regenerate GRUB configuration
Why it's wrong here
While often needed, it is not a core compilation step and is distribution-dependent.
✗
Run 'depmod -a' to generate module dependencies
Why it's wrong here
This is usually done automatically by 'make modules_install'.
✓
Run 'make install' to install the kernel image and update boot loader
Why this is correct
This copies the kernel to /boot and often updates the boot loader.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Run 'make oldconfig' to configure the kernel
Why this is correct
This sets up the kernel configuration based on the current config or defaults.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse optional or automatic post-install steps (like 'update-grub' or 'depmod -a') with the mandatory compilation and installation steps, leading them to select B or C instead of the correct required steps A, D, and E.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The kernel build process uses a series of make targets: 'make oldconfig' (or 'menuconfig') to set configuration, 'make' to compile the kernel and modules, 'make modules_install' to install modules into /lib/modules/<kernel_version>/, and 'make install' to copy the kernel image to /boot and update the boot loader (often by running a script like installkernel). The 'depmod' command reads the modules in /lib/modules/<version>/ and creates a dependency map used by modprobe; while it is critical for module loading, it is typically invoked automatically by 'make modules_install' or by the system's initramfs generation, so it is not a separate required step.
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: Run 'make modules_install' to install compiled modules — Option A is correct because after building kernel modules with 'make', you must run 'make modules_install' to copy the compiled modules into the appropriate directory under /lib/modules/$(uname -r)/, making them available for the kernel to load. This step is essential for any kernel that uses loadable modules, as it populates the module tree with the correct .ko files.
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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