Quick Answer
The answer is `df -h`, which is the correct command to check disk usage per partition because it displays the amount of used and available space on all mounted filesystems, with the `-h` flag converting raw block counts into human-readable units like gigabytes or megabytes. This directly addresses the scenario where a nearly full filesystem causes slow write performance, as the command reveals exactly which partition is running low on free space. On the Red Hat Certified System Administrator EX200 exam, this question tests your ability to diagnose storage bottlenecks using standard system utilities; a common trap is confusing `df` with `du`, where `du` shows file and directory sizes rather than partition-level usage. Remember that `df` stands for "disk free," so think of it as checking how much free space remains on each partition. A useful memory tip is to associate the `-h` flag with "human" or "helpful," ensuring you always read the output in a format that makes capacity issues immediately obvious.
This EX200 practice question tests your understanding of create and configure file 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 file server is experiencing slow write performance. The admin suspects the filesystem is nearly full. Which command should be used to check disk usage per partition?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
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.
df -h
Shows filesystem disk space usage.
df -i
Why wrong: Shows inode usage, not space.
du -h --max-depth=1 /
Why wrong: Shows directory sizes, not partition usage.
du -sh /
Why wrong: Shows total size of root, not per partition.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
df -h
The `df -h` command displays disk space usage for all mounted filesystems in human-readable format (e.g., GB, MB). This directly answers the admin's need to check per-partition usage and identify if a filesystem is nearly full, which can cause slow write performance due to lack of free space.
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.
df -h
Why this is correct
Shows filesystem disk space usage.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "which command" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
df -i
Why it's wrong here
Shows inode usage, not space.
du -h --max-depth=1 /
Why it's wrong here
Shows directory sizes, not partition usage.
du -sh /
Why it's wrong here
Shows total size of root, not per partition.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates confuse `df` (disk free, per-partition) with `du` (disk usage, per-directory), or they mistake inode usage (`df -i`) for space usage, leading them to pick a command that does not show partition-level free space.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Shows inode usage, not space.
Detailed technical explanation
The `df` command reads the statfs() system call to retrieve filesystem statistics from the kernel, including total blocks, free blocks, and block size. The `-h` flag converts these raw block counts into human-readable units (e.g., 1K, 1M, 1G) using powers of 1024. In a real-world scenario, a nearly full filesystem can cause write performance degradation due to fragmentation or the filesystem's allocation algorithm spending more time searching for free extents, especially on ext4 or XFS.
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 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
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
Create and configure file systems — This question tests Create and configure file systems — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: df -h — The `df -h` command displays disk space usage for all mounted filesystems in human-readable format (e.g., GB, MB). This directly answers the admin's need to check per-partition usage and identify if a filesystem is nearly full, which can cause slow write performance due to lack of free space.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Yes — watch for: "which command". Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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