- A
firewall-cmd --add-service=http --zone=internal; firewall-cmd --reload
Why wrong: Without --permanent, the rule is only runtime and will be lost after reload.
- B
firewall-cmd --permanent --add-service=http --zone=internal; systemctl restart firewalld
Why wrong: Restarting firewalld is not recommended; reload is sufficient and less disruptive.
- C
firewall-cmd --zone=internal --add-service=http; firewall-cmd --runtime-to-permanent
Why wrong: The '--runtime-to-permanent' option converts runtime rules, but is not the standard method for adding a permanent rule.
- D
firewall-cmd --zone=internal --add-service=http --permanent; firewall-cmd --reload
This adds the service permanently and reloads to apply.
Add a Service Permanently to a Zone
This EX200 practice question tests your understanding of manage security. 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.
Refer to the exhibit. An administrator wants to add the HTTP service (port 80) to the internal zone permanently. Which sequence of commands should be used?
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
firewall-cmd --zone=internal --add-service=http --permanent; firewall-cmd --reload
Option D is correct because it uses the --permanent flag to make the rule persistent across reboots, and then runs firewall-cmd --reload to apply the permanent configuration to the running runtime environment without restarting the firewalld service. This sequence ensures the HTTP service is added to the internal zone permanently while maintaining active connections.
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.
- ✗
firewall-cmd --add-service=http --zone=internal; firewall-cmd --reload
Why it's wrong here
Without --permanent, the rule is only runtime and will be lost after reload.
- ✗
firewall-cmd --permanent --add-service=http --zone=internal; systemctl restart firewalld
Why it's wrong here
Restarting firewalld is not recommended; reload is sufficient and less disruptive.
- ✗
firewall-cmd --zone=internal --add-service=http; firewall-cmd --runtime-to-permanent
Why it's wrong here
The '--runtime-to-permanent' option converts runtime rules, but is not the standard method for adding a permanent rule.
- ✓
firewall-cmd --zone=internal --add-service=http --permanent; firewall-cmd --reload
Why this is correct
This adds the service permanently and reloads to apply.
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 often confuse --reload with restarting the service, or they think runtime changes persist without the --permanent flag, leading them to choose options that either lose the change (A) or unnecessarily restart firewalld (B).
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
firewalld uses a two-tier configuration model: runtime (immediate effect, lost on reload/restart) and permanent (stored in XML files under /etc/firewalld/zones/). The --reload option reloads the permanent configuration into the runtime without restarting the daemon, preserving active sessions. The --runtime-to-permanent option is useful when you have made multiple runtime changes and want to commit them all at once, but for a single permanent addition, using --permanent directly is more efficient and less error-prone.
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.
- →
Manage security — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Manage security practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
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All EX200 questions
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Red Hat Certified System Administrator EX200 study guide
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this EX200 question test?
Manage security — This question tests Manage security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: firewall-cmd --zone=internal --add-service=http --permanent; firewall-cmd --reload — Option D is correct because it uses the --permanent flag to make the rule persistent across reboots, and then runs firewall-cmd --reload to apply the permanent configuration to the running runtime environment without restarting the firewalld service. This sequence ensures the HTTP service is added to the internal zone permanently while maintaining active connections.
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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Same concept, more angles
1 more ways this is tested on EX200
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. Order the steps to configure firewall rules to allow HTTP and HTTPS traffic using firewalld.
medium- ✓ A.1. Add HTTP service: firewall-cmd --permanent --add-service=http 2. Add HTTPS service: firewall-cmd --permanent --add-service=https 3. Reload firewall: firewall-cmd --reload 4. Verify: firewall-cmd --list-services
- B.1. Reload firewall: firewall-cmd --reload 2. Add HTTP service: firewall-cmd --permanent --add-service=http 3. Add HTTPS service: firewall-cmd --permanent --add-service=https 4. Verify: firewall-cmd --list-services
- C.1. Add HTTP service: firewall-cmd --add-service=http (without --permanent) 2. Add HTTPS service: firewall-cmd --add-service=https (without --permanent) 3. Reload firewall: firewall-cmd --reload 4. Verify: firewall-cmd --list-services
- D.1. Add HTTP service: firewall-cmd --permanent --add-service=http 2. Reload firewall: firewall-cmd --reload 3. Add HTTPS service: firewall-cmd --permanent --add-service=https 4. Verify: firewall-cmd --list-services
Why A: Firewalld rules are added with --permanent flag and then reloaded to take effect.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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