The correct sequence is to run `lvextend -L 15G /dev/vg_data/lv_data` followed by `resize2fs /dev/vg_data/lv_data`. This order is essential because the ext4 filesystem resides on top of the logical volume block device; you must first allocate the additional 5G of storage from the volume group to the logical volume, expanding the underlying container, before you can grow the filesystem to fill that new space. On the Red Hat Certified System Administrator EX200 exam, this task tests your understanding of the LVM storage stack and the distinction between resizing the logical volume layer versus the filesystem layer—a common trap is attempting `resize2fs` first, which fails because the block device hasn’t changed size yet. Remember the mnemonic “LV first, FS second” to keep the layers straight: extend the logical volume, then resize the filesystem.
EX200 Deploy, configure, and maintain systems Practice Question
This EX200 practice question tests your understanding of deploy, configure, and maintain systems. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 system has a logical volume 'lv_data' in the volume group 'vg_data' that needs to be resized from 10G to 15G. The underlying physical volumes have enough free space. Which sequence of commands correctly resizes the logical volume and the ext4 filesystem?
Option A is correct because to resize an ext4 filesystem on a logical volume, you must first extend the logical volume with `lvextend -L 15G /dev/vg_data/lv_data` to allocate the additional 5G from the volume group, then use `resize2fs /dev/vg_data/lv_data` to grow the filesystem to fill the enlarged block device. This order ensures the underlying block device has sufficient capacity before the filesystem resize operation.
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.
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse the filesystem-specific resize commands, mistakenly using `xfs_growfs` for ext4 (option C) or reversing the order of operations (option B), failing to recognize that LVM resizing must precede filesystem resizing.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The `lvextend` command modifies the logical volume metadata in the LVM kernel device-mapper layer to present a larger block device, while `resize2fs` updates the ext4 superblock and block group descriptors to utilize the new space. A subtle behavior is that `resize2fs` can be run online (while the filesystem is mounted) for ext4, but the logical volume must be extended first; if the order is reversed, the filesystem resize will fail with an 'No space left on device' 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.
Deploy, configure, and maintain systems — This question tests Deploy, configure, and maintain systems — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: lvextend -L 15G /dev/vg_data/lv_data; resize2fs /dev/vg_data/lv_data — Option A is correct because to resize an ext4 filesystem on a logical volume, you must first extend the logical volume with `lvextend -L 15G /dev/vg_data/lv_data` to allocate the additional 5G from the volume group, then use `resize2fs /dev/vg_data/lv_data` to grow the filesystem to fill the enlarged block device. This order ensures the underlying block device has sufficient capacity before the filesystem resize operation.
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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Question Discussion
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