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. 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 system administrator adds a new 10GB disk (/dev/sdb) to a server. The requirement is to create a single ext4 filesystem on the entire disk for storing application data. Which sequence of commands should be used?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
fdisk /dev/sdb (create one partition) -> mkfs.ext4 /dev/sdb1 -> mount /dev/sdb1 /data
Option B is correct because it follows the proper sequence: first create a partition on /dev/sdb using fdisk, then format that partition (/dev/sdb1) with an ext4 filesystem using mkfs.ext4, and finally mount it to /data. Filesystems must be created on a partition (e.g., /dev/sdb1), not directly on the whole disk device (/dev/sdb), otherwise the system will not recognize the filesystem correctly for mounting and use.
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.
mkfs.ext4 on /dev/sdb is on the whole disk, not the partition; this would overwrite the partition table.
✓
fdisk /dev/sdb (create one partition) -> mkfs.ext4 /dev/sdb1 -> mount /dev/sdb1 /data
Why this is correct
This creates a partition, formats it, and mounts it; correct procedure for adding a new disk with a filesystem.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
mkfs.ext4 /dev/sdb && mount /dev/sdb /data
Why it's wrong here
No partition created; filesystem on raw disk is not typical for a data disk intended for partition management.
✗
mkfs.ext4 /dev/sdb && mount /dev/sdb /data
Why it's wrong here
Creating a filesystem directly on the whole disk without a partition is improper for most scenarios.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may think mkfs.ext4 can be applied directly to the whole disk (/dev/sdb) and still work, overlooking the requirement to create a partition first, which is a common misconception tested in EX200.
Trap categories for this question
Scenario analysis trap
Creating a filesystem directly on the whole disk without a partition is improper for most scenarios.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, the ext4 filesystem expects a block device that is typically a partition (e.g., /dev/sdb1) with a proper partition table (MBR or GPT) to store metadata like superblock and block groups. Creating a filesystem directly on /dev/sdb overwrites the partition table area, which can confuse tools like fdisk or blkid and prevent proper identification. In real-world scenarios, using LVM or whole-disk filesystems (e.g., for swap) is possible, but for a data filesystem on a new disk, partitioning is the standard Red Hat Enterprise Linux practice to ensure compatibility with system utilities.
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.
Configure local storage — This question tests Configure local storage — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: fdisk /dev/sdb (create one partition) -> mkfs.ext4 /dev/sdb1 -> mount /dev/sdb1 /data — Option B is correct because it follows the proper sequence: first create a partition on /dev/sdb using fdisk, then format that partition (/dev/sdb1) with an ext4 filesystem using mkfs.ext4, and finally mount it to /data. Filesystems must be created on a partition (e.g., /dev/sdb1), not directly on the whole disk device (/dev/sdb), otherwise the system will not recognize the filesystem correctly for mounting and use.
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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