This EX200 practice question tests your understanding of operate running systems. Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. 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
[root@server ~]# systemctl status sshd
● sshd.service - OpenSSH server daemon
Loaded: loaded (/usr/lib/systemd/system/sshd.service; enabled; vendor preset: enabled)
Active: failed (Result: exit-code) since Mon 2025-03-10 14:22:34 EDT; 5min ago
Process: 1234 ExecStart=/usr/sbin/sshd -D $OPTIONS (code=exited, status=255)
Main PID: 1234 (code=exited, status=255)
Status: "Failed to start sshd"
CGroup: /system.slice/sshd.service
└─1234 /usr/sbin/sshd -D
Jan 10 14:22:34 server sshd[1234]: fatal: Cannot bind any address.
Jan 10 14:22:34 server sshd[1234]: fatal: Cannot bind any address.
Refer to the exhibit. What is the most likely cause of this failure?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Exhibit
[root@server ~]# systemctl status sshd
● sshd.service - OpenSSH server daemon
Loaded: loaded (/usr/lib/systemd/system/sshd.service; enabled; vendor preset: enabled)
Active: failed (Result: exit-code) since Mon 2025-03-10 14:22:34 EDT; 5min ago
Process: 1234 ExecStart=/usr/sbin/sshd -D $OPTIONS (code=exited, status=255)
Main PID: 1234 (code=exited, status=255)
Status: "Failed to start sshd"
CGroup: /system.slice/sshd.service
└─1234 /usr/sbin/sshd -D
Jan 10 14:22:34 server sshd[1234]: fatal: Cannot bind any address.
Jan 10 14:22:34 server sshd[1234]: fatal: Cannot bind any address.
A
Another process is already bound to port 22.
The error 'Cannot bind any address' suggests port conflict.
B
The sshd service is not enabled.
Why wrong: The exhibit shows 'enabled'.
C
SELinux is blocking the service.
Why wrong: SELinux would produce 'Permission denied' not 'Cannot bind'.
D
The /etc/ssh/sshd_config file is missing.
Why wrong: A missing config file would cause a different error.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Another process is already bound to port 22.
The error message in the exhibit indicates that the sshd service failed to start because port 22 is already in use. This is a classic port conflict, where another process (e.g., another SSH daemon, a web server misconfigured to use port 22, or a leftover process) has bound to the same TCP port. The system log or `ss -tlnp` would show the PID and name of the conflicting process, confirming that port 22 is unavailable for the new sshd instance.
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.
✓
Another process is already bound to port 22.
Why this is correct
The error 'Cannot bind any address' suggests port conflict.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The sshd service is not enabled.
Why it's wrong here
The exhibit shows 'enabled'.
✗
SELinux is blocking the service.
Why it's wrong here
SELinux would produce 'Permission denied' not 'Cannot bind'.
✗
The /etc/ssh/sshd_config file is missing.
Why it's wrong here
A missing config file would cause a different error.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Red Hat often tests the distinction between service startup failures caused by port conflicts versus configuration or SELinux issues, and the trap here is that candidates may assume SELinux or a missing config file is the cause when the error message explicitly states 'address already in use'.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
The exhibit shows 'enabled'.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
When a service binds to a TCP port, the kernel's socket API uses the `SO_REUSEADDR` option to allow multiple sockets to bind to the same port under specific conditions (e.g., different IP addresses). However, by default, sshd does not set this option, so if another process (like a second sshd instance or a misconfigured service) already holds a listening socket on 0.0.0.0:22, the bind() call fails with EADDRINUSE. The `sshd -t` test can verify configuration syntax, but it does not check port availability; the actual failure occurs only when the daemon attempts to listen.
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.
Operate running systems — This question tests Operate running systems — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Another process is already bound to port 22. — The error message in the exhibit indicates that the sshd service failed to start because port 22 is already in use. This is a classic port conflict, where another process (e.g., another SSH daemon, a web server misconfigured to use port 22, or a leftover process) has bound to the same TCP port. The system log or `ss -tlnp` would show the PID and name of the conflicting process, confirming that port 22 is unavailable for the new sshd instance.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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