Quick Answer
The answer is mkfs.xfs /dev/sdb1. This command is correct because it directly creates an XFS filesystem on the specified partition, writing the superblock and metadata structures required by the XFS format. On Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9, the mkfs.xfs utility is the standard tool for this task, and it is invoked automatically when you run mkfs with the -t xfs option, though the direct command is preferred for clarity. On the Red Hat Certified System Administrator EX200 exam, this question tests your ability to recall the exact filesystem creation command after partitioning, a common step in storage configuration tasks. A frequent trap is confusing mkfs.xfs with mkfs.ext4 or forgetting to specify the partition device; the exam expects you to know that mkfs.xfs is the dedicated command for XFS, not a generic mkfs call. Memory tip: think “XFS = eXact FileSystem command” — just mkfs dot xfs, no extra flags needed for a basic format.
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 RHEL 9 system has a second disk /dev/sdb that needs to be partitioned with a single partition using all space, formatted with XFS, and mounted persistently at /data. The administrator uses fdisk to create the partition /dev/sdb1. Which filesystem creation command should be used?
mkfs.xfs /dev/sdb1
Creates XFS filesystem.
mke2fs /dev/sdb1
Why wrong: Creates ext filesystem.
mkfs -t ext4 /dev/sdb1
Why wrong: Same as A.
mkfs.ext4 /dev/sdb1
Why wrong: This creates ext4, not XFS.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
mkfs.xfs /dev/sdb1
The correct command is mkfs.xfs /dev/sdb1 because the question specifies that the partition must be formatted with XFS. The mkfs.xfs command is the dedicated tool for creating an XFS filesystem on a block device. It directly invokes the mkfs.xfs utility, which writes the XFS superblock and metadata structures to the partition.
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.
mkfs.xfs /dev/sdb1
Why this is correct
Creates XFS filesystem.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
mke2fs /dev/sdb1
Why it's wrong here
Creates ext filesystem.
mkfs -t ext4 /dev/sdb1
Why it's wrong here
Same as A.
mkfs.ext4 /dev/sdb1
Why it's wrong here
This creates ext4, not XFS.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often confuse mkfs.xfs with generic mkfs commands or ext-family tools, assuming any mkfs variant will work, but the exam specifically tests knowledge of the correct filesystem-specific command for XFS.
Detailed technical explanation
The mkfs.xfs command is part of the xfsprogs package and initializes an XFS filesystem by writing the primary superblock (at offset 0), allocation group headers, and log area. XFS uses allocation groups (AGs) to manage space, and mkfs.xfs automatically calculates the number of AGs based on device size. In a real-world scenario, if the partition is larger than 16 TiB, mkfs.xfs may require the '-m reflink=0' option to avoid reflink incompatibility with older kernels.
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
Deploy, configure, and maintain systems — This question tests Deploy, configure, and maintain systems — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: mkfs.xfs /dev/sdb1 — The correct command is mkfs.xfs /dev/sdb1 because the question specifies that the partition must be formatted with XFS. The mkfs.xfs command is the dedicated tool for creating an XFS filesystem on a block device. It directly invokes the mkfs.xfs utility, which writes the XFS superblock and metadata structures to the partition.
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 11, 2026
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