Quick Answer
The correct configuration file to modify is /etc/logrotate.d/syslog because this file contains the rotation directives for system log files like /var/log/messages on RHEL 9. Logrotate uses drop-in configuration files under /etc/logrotate.d/ to manage individual log groups, and the syslog file specifically controls the rotation schedule, retention count, and compression for the system journal. On the Red Hat Certified System Administrator EX200 exam, this tests your understanding of logrotate’s modular configuration structure—a common trap is editing the main /etc/logrotate.conf file instead of the targeted drop-in file, which would apply settings globally rather than just to syslog. To meet the requirement of daily rotation and 4 weeks of logs, you would add or modify the lines “daily” and “rotate 28” within /etc/logrotate.d/syslog. A helpful memory tip: think of “syslog” as the file that “owns” the system logs, so always check the drop-in directory first when adjusting rotation for /var/log/messages.
This EX200 practice question tests your understanding of deploy, configure, and maintain systems. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 system administrator notices that a RHEL 9 server's /var/log/messages is filling up the /var partition. The administrator wants to ensure log rotation runs daily and keeps 4 weeks of logs. Which configuration file should be modified?
/etc/systemd/journald.conf
Why wrong: This configures journald.
/etc/logrotate.d/syslog
This is the logrotate config for syslog files.
/etc/rsyslog.conf
Why wrong: This configures syslog, not rotation.
/etc/cron.daily/logrotate
Why wrong: This is the cron script, not the config.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
/etc/logrotate.d/syslog
Option B is correct because /etc/logrotate.d/syslog is the configuration file that controls log rotation for system log files such as /var/log/messages. By modifying this file, the administrator can set the rotation frequency to daily and specify the number of weeks (e.g., rotate 28 for 4 weeks) to retain logs, directly addressing the requirement.
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.
/etc/systemd/journald.conf
Why it's wrong here
This configures journald.
/etc/logrotate.d/syslog
Why this is correct
This is the logrotate config for syslog files.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
/etc/rsyslog.conf
Why it's wrong here
This configures syslog, not rotation.
/etc/cron.daily/logrotate
Why it's wrong here
This is the cron script, not the config.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates confuse the log rotation configuration file (/etc/logrotate.d/syslog) with the cron job that triggers it (/etc/cron.daily/logrotate) or with the logging daemon configuration files (journald.conf or rsyslog.conf), assuming those control rotation parameters.
Detailed technical explanation
Logrotate uses configuration files in /etc/logrotate.d/ to define per-service rotation rules, including frequency (daily, weekly, monthly) and retention via the 'rotate' directive (e.g., rotate 28 for 28 days). The 'daily' frequency ensures rotation runs once per day via the cron job in /etc/cron.daily/logrotate, while the 'rotate' count specifies how many compressed archives are kept before deletion. In real-world scenarios, failing to adjust these parameters can lead to /var partition exhaustion, especially on systems with verbose logging or limited disk space.
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
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FAQ
Deploy, configure, and maintain systems — This question tests Deploy, configure, and maintain systems — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: /etc/logrotate.d/syslog — Option B is correct because /etc/logrotate.d/syslog is the configuration file that controls log rotation for system log files such as /var/log/messages. By modifying this file, the administrator can set the rotation frequency to daily and specify the number of weeks (e.g., rotate 28 for 4 weeks) to retain logs, directly addressing the requirement.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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