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. A key principle to apply: lVM workflow. 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.
Network Topology
Refer to the exhibit. An administrator wants to create an LVM logical volume using /dev/sdb3. What is the first step to complete this task?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "first"
Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
Network Topology
A
Format the partition with mkfs.ext4 /dev/sdb3
Why wrong: Formatting with mkfs.ext4 is not the first step; creating a filesystem on a logical volume comes after the LV is created.
B
Create a physical volume with pvcreate /dev/sdb3
Why wrong: Incorrect because the exhibit shows /dev/sdb3 is already a physical volume, so pvcreate is not needed.
C
Create a logical volume with lvcreate -L 10G -n lv01 vg01
Correct. Since the physical volume and volume group already exist (as shown in the exhibit), the first step is to create the logical volume using lvcreate.
D
Create a volume group with vgcreate vg01 /dev/sdb3
Why wrong: Creating a volume group is premature; the volume group already exists according to the exhibit.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Create a logical volume with lvcreate -L 10G -n lv01 vg01
Based on the exhibit, /dev/sdb3 is already initialized as a physical volume and belongs to a volume group. Therefore, the first step to create a logical volume is to use lvcreate directly, as the PV and VG are already in place. Option B is incorrect because pvcreate is not needed when the partition is already a PV.
Key principle: LVM workflow
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Format the partition with mkfs.ext4 /dev/sdb3
Why it's wrong here
Formatting with mkfs.ext4 is not the first step; creating a filesystem on a logical volume comes after the LV is created.
✗
Create a physical volume with pvcreate /dev/sdb3
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because the exhibit shows /dev/sdb3 is already a physical volume, so pvcreate is not needed.
✓
Create a logical volume with lvcreate -L 10G -n lv01 vg01
Why this is correct
Correct. Since the physical volume and volume group already exist (as shown in the exhibit), the first step is to create the logical volume using lvcreate.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
LVM workflow
✗
Create a volume group with vgcreate vg01 /dev/sdb3
Why it's wrong here
Creating a volume group is premature; the volume group already exists according to the exhibit.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap is that candidates may assume they must always run pvcreate first, but the exhibit shows the PV already exists. Always verify the current state of the disk before deciding the next step.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Incorrect because the exhibit shows /dev/sdb3 is already a physical volume, so pvcreate is not needed.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
LVM uses a three-layer abstraction: physical volumes (PVs) at the bottom, volume groups (VGs) in the middle, and logical volumes (LVs) at the top. The pvcreate command writes LVM metadata (typically in the first few sectors of the partition) to identify it as a PV; this metadata includes a UUID and a label header. Without this step, the partition is treated as a raw block device and cannot be pooled into a VG.
KKey Concepts to Remember
LVM workflow
pvcreate
lvcreate
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
LVM workflow
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. LVM workflow 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 lVM workflow, then practise related EX200 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
Configure local storage — This question tests Configure local storage — LVM workflow.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create a logical volume with lvcreate -L 10G -n lv01 vg01 — Based on the exhibit, /dev/sdb3 is already initialized as a physical volume and belongs to a volume group. Therefore, the first step to create a logical volume is to use lvcreate directly, as the PV and VG are already in place. Option B is incorrect because pvcreate is not needed when the partition is already a PV.
What should I do if I get this EX200 question wrong?
Review lVM workflow, then practise related EX200 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
What is the key concept behind this question?
LVM workflow
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.