- A
OnFailure=
Why wrong: This triggers a separate unit on failure, not restart.
- B
Requires=
Why wrong: This declares a hard dependency, not restart behavior.
- C
Restart=always
Sets the service to restart after exit, including crashes.
- D
Wants=
Why wrong: This declares a soft dependency, not restart behavior.
Question 175 of 537
EX200 Operate running systems Practice Question
This EX200 practice question tests your understanding of operate running systems. 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.
A critical service must restart automatically after a crash. Which systemd directive should be added to the [Service] section of the service unit file?
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
✓
Restart=always
Option C is correct because the `Restart=always` directive in the `[Service]` section of a systemd unit file instructs systemd to automatically restart the service whenever it exits, regardless of the exit status. This ensures the critical service recovers immediately after a crash without manual intervention, which is essential for high-availability requirements.
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.
- ✗
OnFailure=
Why it's wrong here
This triggers a separate unit on failure, not restart.
- ✗
Requires=
Why it's wrong here
This declares a hard dependency, not restart behavior.
- ✓
Restart=always
Why this is correct
Sets the service to restart after exit, including crashes.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Wants=
Why it's wrong here
This declares a soft dependency, not restart behavior.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse dependency directives like `Requires=` or `Wants=` with restart behavior, but systemd separates dependency management from process supervision, so only `Restart=` controls automatic restart after a crash.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The `Restart=` directive supports several values: `no`, `on-success`, `on-failure`, `on-abnormal`, `on-watchdog`, `on-abort`, and `always`. When set to `always`, systemd will restart the service even if it exits with a clean exit code (0), which is useful for services that should remain running continuously. Under the hood, systemd monitors the service's main PID and applies the restart logic based on the exit status and signal, with optional `RestartSec=` to add a delay between restarts to prevent rapid restart loops.
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 EX200 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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this EX200 question test?
Operate running systems — This question tests Operate running systems — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Restart=always — Option C is correct because the `Restart=always` directive in the `[Service]` section of a systemd unit file instructs systemd to automatically restart the service whenever it exits, regardless of the exit status. This ensures the critical service recovers immediately after a crash without manual intervention, which is essential for high-availability requirements.
What should I do if I get this EX200 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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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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