LPIC-2 Linux Kernel and System Startup Practice Question
Which three of the following are required steps to compile and install a custom Linux kernel from source? (Choose three.)
⚠ Common exam trap
Watch out — candidates often 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.
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
✓
Run 'make modules_install' to install compiled modules
After building kernel modules with 'make', you must run 'make modules_install' to copy the compiled modules into the appropriate directory under /lib/modules/$(uname -r)/, making them available for the kernel to load. This step is essential for any kernel that uses loadable modules, as it populates the module tree with the correct .ko files.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Run 'make modules_install' to install compiled modules
Why this is correct
This copies modules to /lib/modules/$(uname -r)/.
- ✗
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.
- ✓
Run 'make oldconfig' to configure the kernel
Why this is correct
This sets up the kernel configuration based on the current config or defaults.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.