Question 385 of 537
Deploy, configure, and maintain systemshardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

How to Create a Network Bond with Active-Backup Mode Using nmcli

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. A key principle to apply: network Bonding. 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.

An administrator needs to create a network bond interface 'bond0' with two slave interfaces 'eth0' and 'eth1' using active-backup mode. Which set of commands is correct?

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

nmcli con add type bond ifname bond0; nmcli con add type bond-slave ifname eth0 master bond0

Option D is correct because it uses `nmcli con add type bond ifname bond0` to create the bond interface and then `nmcli con add type bond-slave ifname eth0 master bond0` to add eth0 as a slave using the dedicated bond-slave type. While the mode (active-backup) is not specified in the commands, among the options, D is the only one that uses a direct and valid bond-slave type. Option A uses `type ethernet` with `slave-type bond`, which is also valid but less direct. Option B involves manual editing, and option C uses teamd for teaming, not bonding.

Key principle: Network Bonding

Answer analysis

Option-by-option breakdown

For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.

  • nmcli con add type bond ifname bond0; nmcli con add type ethernet ifname eth0 master bond0 slave-type bond

    Why it's wrong here

    This syntax uses `type ethernet` with `master bond0 slave-type bond`, which is a valid way to add a slave, but it is less direct than the dedicated bond-slave type. More importantly, the bond is created without specifying `mode active-backup`, so the requirement is not fully met. Among the options, D is preferred.

  • Edit /etc/sysconfig/network-scripts/ifcfg-bond0 and ifcfg-eth0 manually

    Why it's wrong here

    Manual editing of configuration files is a possible method, but it is not a set of commands and is deprecated in favor of nmcli. The question asks for a set of commands, making this option incorrect.

  • teamd -d -c '{"device":"bond0","runner":{"name":"activebackup"},"ports":{"eth0":{},"eth1":{}}}'

    Why it's wrong here

    This command uses teamd for teaming, not bonding. The question specifically requires a bond interface using active-backup mode, so this is incorrect.

  • nmcli con add type bond ifname bond0; nmcli con add type bond-slave ifname eth0 master bond0

    Why this is correct

    This option correctly creates the bond interface with `nmcli con add type bond ifname bond0` and adds eth0 as a slave using `type bond-slave`, which is a native nmcli connection type for bond slaves. It directly fulfills the requirement of creating a bond with a slave interface, and the mode can be set separately.

    Related concept

    Network Bonding

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

The trap is that candidates often confuse bonding with teaming (Option C) or resort to manual editing (Option B). Additionally, many are unaware that `type bond-slave` (Option D) is a valid native connection type in nmcli, while Option A uses an alternative syntax. In this question, the required commands are those in Option D because they directly create a bond slave.

Trap categories for this question

  • Command / output trap

    Manual editing of configuration files is a possible method, but it is not a set of commands and is deprecated in favor of nmcli. The question asks for a set of commands, making this option incorrect.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

NetworkManager's `nmcli` creates bond interfaces using the kernel bonding driver, which supports modes like active-backup (mode 1) where only one slave is active at a time, providing failover. The `master bond0 slave-type bond` parameters in `nmcli` automatically set the `SLAVE=yes` and `MASTER=bond0` directives in the ifcfg file, ensuring the slave is recognized by the bond. In a real-world scenario, using `nmcli` ensures consistent configuration across reboots and integrates with NetworkManager's connection profiles, avoiding manual file editing that can lead to inconsistencies.

KKey Concepts to Remember

  • Network Bonding
  • nmcli
  • bond-slave

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

Network Bonding

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. Network Bonding 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.

Review network Bonding, then practise related EX200 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.

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FAQ

Questions learners often ask

What does this EX200 question test?

Deploy, configure, and maintain systems — This question tests Deploy, configure, and maintain systems — Network Bonding.

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: nmcli con add type bond ifname bond0; nmcli con add type bond-slave ifname eth0 master bond0 — Option D is correct because it uses `nmcli con add type bond ifname bond0` to create the bond interface and then `nmcli con add type bond-slave ifname eth0 master bond0` to add eth0 as a slave using the dedicated bond-slave type. While the mode (active-backup) is not specified in the commands, among the options, D is the only one that uses a direct and valid bond-slave type. Option A uses `type ethernet` with `slave-type bond`, which is also valid but less direct. Option B involves manual editing, and option C uses teamd for teaming, not bonding.

What should I do if I get this EX200 question wrong?

Review network Bonding, then practise related EX200 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.

What is the key concept behind this question?

Network Bonding

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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026

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This EX200 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Red Hat 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 EX200 exam.