This EX200 practice question tests your understanding of essential tools. 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.
A company policy requires that all cron jobs run by non-root users must be logged to a specific file /var/log/usercron.log. The system administrator decides to use rsyslog to capture these messages. Which configuration directive should be added to /etc/rsyslog.conf or a file in /etc/rsyslog.d/ to achieve this?
user.* /var/log/usercron.log
Why wrong: The user facility is not used by cron.
cron.* /var/log/usercron.log
The cron facility handles cron job messages.
*.* /var/log/usercron.log
Why wrong: This captures all syslog messages, which is overkill and not policy-specific.
authpriv.* /var/log/usercron.log
Why wrong: authpriv is for authentication messages.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
cron.* /var/log/usercron.log
Option B is correct because the cron facility in rsyslog captures messages generated by the cron daemon, including cron jobs run by non-root users. By adding the directive `cron.* /var/log/usercron.log` to the rsyslog configuration, all cron messages (regardless of priority) are logged to the specified file, satisfying the policy requirement.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
user.* /var/log/usercron.log
Why it's wrong here
The user facility is not used by cron.
cron.* /var/log/usercron.log
Why this is correct
The cron facility handles cron job messages.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
*.* /var/log/usercron.log
Why it's wrong here
This captures all syslog messages, which is overkill and not policy-specific.
authpriv.* /var/log/usercron.log
Why it's wrong here
authpriv is for authentication messages.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates may confuse the `cron` facility with the `user` facility, mistakenly thinking user cron jobs are logged under `user.*` instead of the dedicated `cron` facility.
Detailed technical explanation
In rsyslog, facilities like `cron` correspond to specific syslog facility codes defined in RFC 5424 (cron is facility code 9). The `.*` severity wildcard ensures all priorities (debug through emerg) are captured. The cron daemon (crond) sends messages with facility `cron` for job start, end, and errors, making this directive precise for the requirement. In real-world scenarios, using `cron.*` is essential for auditing user cron jobs without mixing in other system logs.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
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FAQ
Essential Tools — This question tests Essential Tools — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: cron.* /var/log/usercron.log — Option B is correct because the cron facility in rsyslog captures messages generated by the cron daemon, including cron jobs run by non-root users. By adding the directive `cron.* /var/log/usercron.log` to the rsyslog configuration, all cron messages (regardless of priority) are logged to the specified file, satisfying the policy requirement.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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