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 receives alerts that the /var/log partition is 100% full. The partition is on /dev/mapper/vg_log-lv_var_log, formatted with XFS, and is mounted at /var/log. The volume group vg_log has 10GB of free space available. The administrator runs the command `lvextend -L +10G /dev/mapper/vg_log-lv_var_log` successfully, but then `df -h` still shows 100% full. What is the next step the administrator should take to use the newly added space?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Run xfs_growfs /var/log
After extending the logical volume with `lvextend`, the underlying block device has more space, but the XFS filesystem does not automatically recognize it. The correct next step is to run `xfs_growfs /var/log` to expand the filesystem to fill the newly available space. Unlike ext4, XFS cannot be resized while mounted with `resize2fs`; it requires the XFS-specific `xfs_growfs` command, which can operate on a mounted filesystem.
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 resize2fs /dev/mapper/vg_log-lv_var_log
Why it's wrong here
resize2fs is used for ext2/3/4 filesystems, not XFS.
✓
Run xfs_growfs /var/log
Why this is correct
xfs_growfs expands the XFS filesystem to use the newly available space in the logical volume.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Reboot the system to remount the filesystem
Why it's wrong here
Rebooting is not required; XFS can be grown online without a reboot.
✗
Run fsck /dev/mapper/vg_log-lv_var_log
Why it's wrong here
fsck checks filesystem integrity but does not resize the filesystem.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates familiar with ext4 may instinctively choose `resize2fs`, not realizing that XFS requires its own grow command (`xfs_growfs`) and that the filesystem must be explicitly resized after the logical volume extension.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
XFS uses a separate metadata structure for tracking free space, and `xfs_growfs` updates the superblock and allocation group headers to reflect the new device size. The command can be run online (while the filesystem is mounted) and does not require unmounting. In real-world scenarios, forgetting to run `xfs_growfs` after `lvextend` is a common pitfall, especially for administrators accustomed to ext4 where `resize2fs` is often run automatically by some tools.
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 xfs_growfs /var/log — After extending the logical volume with `lvextend`, the underlying block device has more space, but the XFS filesystem does not automatically recognize it. The correct next step is to run `xfs_growfs /var/log` to expand the filesystem to fill the newly available space. Unlike ext4, XFS cannot be resized while mounted with `resize2fs`; it requires the XFS-specific `xfs_growfs` command, which can operate on a mounted filesystem.
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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