EX200 Create and configure file systems Practice Question
This EX200 practice question tests your understanding of create and configure file systems. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
Exhibit
# ls -l /dev/mapper/
total 0
crw-------. 1 root root 10, 236 Jan 1 00:00 control
lrwxrwxrwx. 1 root root 7 Jan 1 00:00 vg_data-lv_data -> ../dm-0
# vgextend vg_data /dev/sdb3
Volume group "vg_data" successfully extended
# lvextend -L +2G /dev/vg_data/lv_data
Size of logical volume vg_data/lv_data changed from 4.00 GiB (1024 extents) to 6.00 GiB (1536 extents).
Logical volume vg_data/lv_data successfully resized.
# xfs_growfs /data
meta-data=/dev/mapper/vg_data-lv_data isize=512 agcount=4, agsize=262144 blk
= sectsz=512 attr=2, projid32bit=1
= crc=1 finobt=1, sparse=1, rmapbt=0
= reflink=1
data = bsize=4096 blocks=1048576, imaxpct=25
= sunit=0 swidth=0 blks
naming =version 2 bsize=4096 ascii-ci=0, ftype=1
log =internal bsize=4096 blocks=2560, version=2
= sectsz=512 sunit=0 blks, lazy-count=1
reflink = noalign
data blocks changed from 1048576 to 1572864
Refer to the exhibit. An administrator extends an XFS filesystem on /data. Which prerequisite step is missing from the output?
Exhibit
# ls -l /dev/mapper/
total 0
crw-------. 1 root root 10, 236 Jan 1 00:00 control
lrwxrwxrwx. 1 root root 7 Jan 1 00:00 vg_data-lv_data -> ../dm-0
# vgextend vg_data /dev/sdb3
Volume group "vg_data" successfully extended
# lvextend -L +2G /dev/vg_data/lv_data
Size of logical volume vg_data/lv_data changed from 4.00 GiB (1024 extents) to 6.00 GiB (1536 extents).
Logical volume vg_data/lv_data successfully resized.
# xfs_growfs /data
meta-data=/dev/mapper/vg_data-lv_data isize=512 agcount=4, agsize=262144 blk
= sectsz=512 attr=2, projid32bit=1
= crc=1 finobt=1, sparse=1, rmapbt=0
= reflink=1
data = bsize=4096 blocks=1048576, imaxpct=25
= sunit=0 swidth=0 blks
naming =version 2 bsize=4096 ascii-ci=0, ftype=1
log =internal bsize=4096 blocks=2560, version=2
= sectsz=512 sunit=0 blks, lazy-count=1
reflink = noalign
data blocks changed from 1048576 to 1572864
A
The filesystem must be mounted before xfs_growfs
Correct. xfs_growfs requires the filesystem to be mounted (or at least the device to be accessible, but typically mounted).
B
The filesystem must be checked with xfs_repair before growing
Why wrong: Incorrect. xfs_repair is for repairing, not required for growing.
C
The filesystem must be unmounted before xfs_growfs
Why wrong: Incorrect. xfs_growfs can be run on a mounted filesystem.
D
The logical volume must be deactivated before xfs_growfs
Why wrong: Incorrect. The LV can be active and mounted.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The filesystem must be mounted before xfs_growfs
The xfs_growfs command requires the XFS filesystem to be mounted because it operates on a live filesystem, resizing it to match the underlying block device. The exhibit shows the administrator running xfs_growfs without first mounting /data, which is the missing prerequisite step. Without mounting, xfs_growfs cannot access the filesystem's superblock to perform the resize.
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.
✓
The filesystem must be mounted before xfs_growfs
Why this is correct
Correct. xfs_growfs requires the filesystem to be mounted (or at least the device to be accessible, but typically mounted).
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The filesystem must be checked with xfs_repair before growing
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. xfs_repair is for repairing, not required for growing.
✗
The filesystem must be unmounted before xfs_growfs
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. xfs_growfs can be run on a mounted filesystem.
✗
The logical volume must be deactivated before xfs_growfs
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. The LV can be active and mounted.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
A common misconception is that filesystems must be unmounted before resizing, but XFS specifically supports online growing. The trap is assuming a traditional unmount requirement applies here.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
xfs_growfs uses the XFS kernel driver to expand the filesystem while it is online, relying on the mounted state to update inode and allocation group structures. The command reads the size of the underlying block device (e.g., an LVM logical volume) and extends the filesystem to fill it, but only if the device is accessible via the mount point. In real-world scenarios, administrators often forget to mount after extending the LV, leading to a 'not a mounted XFS filesystem' error.
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.
Create and configure file systems — This question tests Create and configure file systems — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The filesystem must be mounted before xfs_growfs — The xfs_growfs command requires the XFS filesystem to be mounted because it operates on a live filesystem, resizing it to match the underlying block device. The exhibit shows the administrator running xfs_growfs without first mounting /data, which is the missing prerequisite step. Without mounting, xfs_growfs cannot access the filesystem's superblock to perform the resize.
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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