- A
Add the line 'install mydevice /sbin/modprobe --ignore-install mydevice' to /etc/modprobe.d/load.conf
Why wrong: This modprobe.d directive installs the module when modprobe is called, but does not cause it to load at boot automatically.
- B
Rebuild the initramfs with 'dracut --force --add mydevice'
Why wrong: This adds the module to initramfs, but the module is already in /lib/modules; rebuilding initramfs is not necessary for auto-loading, and the module would still need to be referenced to load.
- C
Add the line 'load mydevice' to /etc/rc.local and ensure rc.local is executable.
Why wrong: rc.local is deprecated and not guaranteed to run on all boot targets; also the syntax is incorrect.
- D
Run 'echo mydevice > /etc/modules-load.d/mydevice.conf'
Placing the module name in a file under /etc/modules-load.d/ causes systemd to load it at boot.
EX200 Deploy, configure, and maintain systems Practice Question
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 systems administrator installs a custom hardware device driver kernel module named 'mydevice' on a RHEL 9 system. The module is built and placed in /lib/modules/$(uname -r)/extra/. The administrator loads it manually with modprobe mydevice and it works. However, after a system reboot, the module is not loaded. The administrator checks that the device is present at boot time. Which step should be taken to ensure the module loads automatically at boot?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Run 'echo mydevice > /etc/modules-load.d/mydevice.conf'
Option D is correct because writing the module name to a file in /etc/modules-load.d/ ensures systemd loads the module automatically at boot. The modules-load.d mechanism is the standard RHEL 9 method for specifying kernel modules to be loaded early in the boot process, before the root filesystem is fully available.
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.
- ✗
Add the line 'install mydevice /sbin/modprobe --ignore-install mydevice' to /etc/modprobe.d/load.conf
Why it's wrong here
This modprobe.d directive installs the module when modprobe is called, but does not cause it to load at boot automatically.
- ✗
Rebuild the initramfs with 'dracut --force --add mydevice'
Why it's wrong here
This adds the module to initramfs, but the module is already in /lib/modules; rebuilding initramfs is not necessary for auto-loading, and the module would still need to be referenced to load.
- ✗
Add the line 'load mydevice' to /etc/rc.local and ensure rc.local is executable.
Why it's wrong here
rc.local is deprecated and not guaranteed to run on all boot targets; also the syntax is incorrect.
- ✓
Run 'echo mydevice > /etc/modules-load.d/mydevice.conf'
Why this is correct
Placing the module name in a file under /etc/modules-load.d/ causes systemd to load it at boot.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse the initramfs rebuild (dracut) with the simpler modules-load.d mechanism, thinking all kernel modules must be baked into the initramfs to load at boot, when in fact only modules needed before root is mounted require that treatment.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The /etc/modules-load.d/ directory is part of systemd's modules-load service, which reads .conf files at boot and runs modprobe on each listed module. This is the preferred method for loading modules that are not automatically detected by udev or hardware probing. In contrast, initramfs inclusion is reserved for modules required to access the root filesystem (e.g., filesystem or SCSI drivers), and using it for a custom device driver would unnecessarily bloat the initramfs and slow boot.
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.
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Deploy, configure, and maintain systems — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this EX200 question test?
Deploy, configure, and maintain systems — This question tests Deploy, configure, and maintain systems — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Run 'echo mydevice > /etc/modules-load.d/mydevice.conf' — Option D is correct because writing the module name to a file in /etc/modules-load.d/ ensures systemd loads the module automatically at boot. The modules-load.d mechanism is the standard RHEL 9 method for specifying kernel modules to be loaded early in the boot process, before the root filesystem is fully available.
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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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
This EX200 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Red Hat certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the EX200 exam.
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