EX200 Create and configure file systems Practice Question
This EX200 practice question tests your understanding of create and configure file systems. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 has added a new disk /dev/sdb to a Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 server. The directory /data already exists. Which two steps must be performed to prepare the disk for mounting as an XFS file system at /data?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Run mkfs.xfs on the partition (e.g., mkfs.xfs /dev/sdb1)
Option A is correct because after creating a partition on /dev/sdb, you must format it with the XFS file system using mkfs.xfs. This writes the XFS superblock and metadata structures to the partition, making it ready for mounting. Without this step, the partition has no file system and cannot be mounted.
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.
✓
Run mkfs.xfs on the partition (e.g., mkfs.xfs /dev/sdb1)
Why this is correct
The filesystem must be created on the partition before mounting.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Mount the partition to /data (mount /dev/sdb1 /data)
Why it's wrong here
Mounting is the final step, not a preparatory step.
✓
Create a partition on /dev/sdb (e.g., fdisk /dev/sdb)
Why this is correct
A partition must be created before a filesystem can be placed on the disk.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Create the /data directory (mkdir -p /data)
Why it's wrong here
The /data directory already exists, so this step is not needed.
✗
Add an entry to /etc/fstab for the new mount
Why it's wrong here
Adding an fstab entry is for permanent mounts after the filesystem is prepared.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often think mounting or adding an fstab entry is a preparatory step, but the question specifically asks for steps to prepare the disk for mounting, which are partitioning and creating the file system.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, mkfs.xfs creates the XFS file system by writing the superblock, allocation groups, and journaling structures to the partition. In Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9, XFS is the default file system, and using mkfs.xfs without specifying additional options applies default settings like 4 KiB block size and internal log. A real-world scenario where this matters is when you need to tune the file system for performance, such as setting the stripe unit and width for RAID arrays using the -d su= and sw= options.
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.
Create and configure file systems — This question tests Create and configure file systems — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Run mkfs.xfs on the partition (e.g., mkfs.xfs /dev/sdb1) — Option A is correct because after creating a partition on /dev/sdb, you must format it with the XFS file system using mkfs.xfs. This writes the XFS superblock and metadata structures to the partition, making it ready for mounting. Without this step, the partition has no file system and cannot be mounted.
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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