The correct sequence is pvcreate, vgextend, lvextend with the +2G flag, and finally xfs_growfs on the mount point. This order is essential because you must first prepare the raw disks as physical volumes with pvcreate, then add them to the volume group using vgextend, before you can extend the logical volume with lvextend. The critical technical detail is that the `+` sign in `lvextend -L +2G` adds exactly 2 gigabytes to the existing size, rather than setting the total size to 2G, which would shrink the volume. On the Red Hat EX200 exam, this task tests your understanding of the complete LVM workflow and the XFS-specific requirement that `xfs_growfs` operates on a mounted filesystem, not a device node—a common trap where candidates mistakenly use `resize2fs` or omit the mount point. Remember the mnemonic: “PV, VG, LV, FS” for the four-step chain, and always add the plus sign to lvextend when extending by a specific amount.
EX200 Configure local storage Practice Question
This EX200 practice question tests your understanding of configure local storage. 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.
An administrator wants to add the two 2G disks (sdc and sdd) as physical volumes, extend the 'data' logical volume in volume group 'vg' by 2G, and grow the filesystem. Which sequence of commands should be used?
Option D is correct because it follows the correct sequence: create physical volumes on both disks, extend the volume group with both disks in a single command, extend the logical volume by exactly 2G using the `+` sign, and then grow the XFS filesystem using `xfs_growfs` with the mount point `/data`. The `+` in `lvextend -L +2G` is critical to add 2G rather than resize to 2G total, and `xfs_growfs` requires the mount point (or a block device) for XFS filesystems.
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.
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 often confuse the `-L` option with and without the `+` sign, and mistakenly use `resize2fs` for XFS filesystems, or use `lvresize` instead of `lvextend` without the correct syntax for adding space.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Unnecessarily two vgextend commands; also xfs_growfs expects mount point, not device.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
When extending an XFS filesystem, `xfs_growfs` operates on a mounted filesystem and can take either the mount point or the block device as an argument; using the mount point is preferred to avoid ambiguity. The `lvextend -L +2G` command uses the `+` modifier to specify an absolute addition to the logical volume size, whereas `-L 2G` would set the total size to 2G, which is a common pitfall. Under the hood, LVM updates the metadata to reflect the new extents, and `xfs_growfs` then expands the filesystem to fill the available space without requiring unmounting.
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.
Configure local storage — This question tests Configure local storage — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: pvcreate /dev/sdc /dev/sdd; vgextend vg /dev/sdc /dev/sdd; lvextend -L +2G /dev/vg/lv_data; xfs_growfs /data — Option D is correct because it follows the correct sequence: create physical volumes on both disks, extend the volume group with both disks in a single command, extend the logical volume by exactly 2G using the `+` sign, and then grow the XFS filesystem using `xfs_growfs` with the mount point `/data`. The `+` in `lvextend -L +2G` is critical to add 2G rather than resize to 2G total, and `xfs_growfs` requires the mount point (or a block device) for XFS filesystems.
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.
About these practice questions
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These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. An administrator wants to extend an XFS filesystem that resides on an LVM logical volume. The volume group has free physical extents. Which is the correct sequence?
medium
✓ A.lvextend, then xfs_growfs
B.lvextend, then resize2fs
C.xfs_growfs, then lvextend
D.resize2fs, then lvextend
Why A: To extend an XFS filesystem on an LVM logical volume, you must first extend the logical volume with `lvextend` to allocate additional physical extents from the volume group, then grow the XFS filesystem to use the new space with `xfs_growfs`. XFS does not support online shrinking and requires the filesystem to be mounted for `xfs_growfs` to work. This sequence ensures the block device has sufficient capacity before the filesystem is expanded.
Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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