The correct command sequence is mkfs.xfs /dev/sdb1 && mkdir /data && mount /dev/sdb1 /data && echo '/dev/sdb1 /data xfs defaults 0 0' >> /etc/fstab because it creates an XFS filesystem optimized for large files and extended attributes, then mounts it persistently. XFS is the default filesystem in Red Hat Enterprise Linux for handling large files and high-capacity storage, as it efficiently manages metadata and supports extended attributes (xattr) needed for advanced file labeling. On the EX200 exam, this task tests your ability to combine filesystem creation, temporary mounting, and permanent configuration via /etc/fstab—a common scenario for storage setup. A frequent trap is forgetting to create the mount point with mkdir or omitting the filesystem type in fstab, which causes boot failures. Remember the mnemonic "Create, Mount, Persist": first make the filesystem, then mount it, then echo the fstab entry to survive reboots.
EX200 Create and configure file systems Practice Question
This EX200 practice question tests your understanding of create and configure file systems. 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 system administrator needs to create a file system on /dev/sdb1 with a size of 10 GB and mount it persistently at /data. The file system should support extended attributes and be suitable for large files. Which command sequence achieves this?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "which command"
Why it matters: Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
Option B is correct because it uses mkfs.xfs to create an XFS file system on /dev/sdb1, which supports extended attributes and is optimized for large files. It then creates the mount point /data, mounts the file system, and adds an entry to /etc/fstab for persistent mounting with the correct device, mount point, and file system type.
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.
Swap is not a file system for data; used for paging.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Red Hat often tests the requirement to mount the file system immediately after creation, not just add it to fstab, and the specific file system type (XFS vs. ext4) based on suitability for large files and extended attributes.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Wrong device (/dev/sda1) and no mount command executed first.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
XFS is a high-performance 64-bit journaling file system that excels with large files and large file systems, supporting extended attributes (xattr) and ACLs natively. The mkfs.xfs command creates the file system, and the mount command activates it immediately; adding the entry to /etc/fstab ensures persistence across reboots. The 'defaults' mount option includes rw, suid, dev, exec, auto, nouser, and async, which are appropriate for a general-purpose data mount.
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: mkfs.xfs /dev/sdb1 && mkdir /data && mount /dev/sdb1 /data && echo '/dev/sdb1 /data xfs defaults 0 0' >> /etc/fstab — Option B is correct because it uses mkfs.xfs to create an XFS file system on /dev/sdb1, which supports extended attributes and is optimized for large files. It then creates the mount point /data, mounts the file system, and adds an entry to /etc/fstab for persistent mounting with the correct device, mount point, and file system type.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "which command". Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
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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