- A
Increase the value of the 'nr_requests' queue parameter for the underlying block device.
Why wrong: Increases queue depth but may not reduce CPU usage from kworkers.
- B
Mount the filesystem with the 'noatime' option to reduce metadata updates.
Why wrong: Noatime reduces atime updates but does not address the writeback bursts.
- C
Schedule filesystem checks (fsck) to run during off-peak hours using a cron job.
Why wrong: Filesystem checks are not currently running and do not address the immediate I/O load.
- D
Set the dirty ratio sysctl parameters (vm.dirty_ratio and vm.dirty_background_ratio) to lower values.
Lower values trigger more frequent writebacks, smoothing I/O load.
Question 242 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 server running Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 experiences high system load (load average 15 on a 4-core system) and slow response times. The administrator runs 'top' and sees that the 'kworker' processes are consuming significant CPU time. Further investigation reveals that the system is performing heavy I/O operations on the root filesystem, which is formatted as XFS. The administrator wants to reduce the impact of filesystem maintenance tasks on system performance. Which of the following actions should the administrator take?
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
✓
Set the dirty ratio sysctl parameters (vm.dirty_ratio and vm.dirty_background_ratio) to lower values.
Option D is correct because the high system load is caused by heavy I/O operations, and the kworker processes indicate kernel threads handling writeback. Lowering vm.dirty_ratio and vm.dirty_background_ratio reduces the amount of dirty pages that accumulate before writeback begins, which prevents large bursts of I/O and smooths out disk writes, thereby reducing the impact on system performance.
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.
- ✗
Increase the value of the 'nr_requests' queue parameter for the underlying block device.
Why it's wrong here
Increases queue depth but may not reduce CPU usage from kworkers.
- ✗
Mount the filesystem with the 'noatime' option to reduce metadata updates.
Why it's wrong here
Noatime reduces atime updates but does not address the writeback bursts.
- ✗
Schedule filesystem checks (fsck) to run during off-peak hours using a cron job.
Why it's wrong here
Filesystem checks are not currently running and do not address the immediate I/O load.
- ✓
Set the dirty ratio sysctl parameters (vm.dirty_ratio and vm.dirty_background_ratio) to lower values.
Why this is correct
Lower values trigger more frequent writebacks, smoothing I/O load.
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 filesystem maintenance tasks (like fsck or atime updates) with kernel writeback mechanisms, and incorrectly choose options that address metadata or integrity checks rather than the actual I/O load caused by dirty page flushing.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The dirty ratio sysctl parameters control the kernel's writeback behavior: vm.dirty_background_ratio (default 10%) triggers background writeback, and vm.dirty_ratio (default 20%) forces synchronous writeback when exceeded. Lowering these values causes the kernel to start writing dirty pages to disk earlier and more frequently, preventing large I/O spikes that can saturate the disk and cause high load averages. In a real-world scenario, a database server with heavy writes might benefit from tuning these values to avoid latency spikes during peak hours.
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.
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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: Set the dirty ratio sysctl parameters (vm.dirty_ratio and vm.dirty_background_ratio) to lower values. — Option D is correct because the high system load is caused by heavy I/O operations, and the kworker processes indicate kernel threads handling writeback. Lowering vm.dirty_ratio and vm.dirty_background_ratio reduces the amount of dirty pages that accumulate before writeback begins, which prevents large bursts of I/O and smooths out disk writes, thereby reducing the impact on system performance.
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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