- A
Create a physical volume on /dev/sdb, create a new volume group named vgdb, create a logical volume lvdb of 900GB, format with XFS, mount temporarily at /mnt, copy /var/lib/mysql to /mnt using rsync while the database is running, then unmount and remount at /var/lib/mysql after updating /etc/fstab and stopping the database momentarily.
Correct: uses LVM, creates dedicated storage, and migrates data with minimal downtime.
- B
Add /dev/sdb as a physical volume, extend the root volume group, extend the root logical volume, and grow the filesystem. Then move /var/lib/mysql to a new directory on the extended space.
Why wrong: Extending root LV with more space does not isolate database storage and may still fill up.
- C
Use lvreduce to shrink the root LV by 10GB, then lvextend to create a new LV for /var/lib/mysql, format with ext4, mount, and copy data.
Why wrong: Shrinking a filesystem is risky and may require downtime; also XFS cannot be shrunk.
- D
Partition /dev/sdb with a single partition, format with ext4, mount at /var/lib/mysql, and copy the data. Then update /etc/fstab.
Why wrong: Using a raw partition is less flexible; LVM is preferred for manageability.
Quick Answer
The correct answer is to create a physical volume on /dev/sdb, a new volume group vgdb, and a 900GB logical volume lvdb, then migrate the data using rsync with only a momentary database stop. This approach is correct because it leverages LVM’s flexibility to add storage without modifying the root filesystem, and rsync allows the database to remain accessible during the initial copy, with only a brief final sync and remount needed to complete the migration. On the Red Hat Certified System Administrator EX200 exam, this scenario tests your ability to perform online storage expansion and data migration under service constraints—a common real-world task that often trips candidates who try to extend the root logical volume or forget to update /etc/fstab. The key trap is assuming you can simply extend the existing root LV; instead, you must create a dedicated LV for /var/lib/mysql to avoid filesystem corruption and downtime. Memory tip: “New disk, new VG, rsync twice—stop once.”
EX200 Configure local storage Practice Question
This EX200 practice question tests your understanding of configure local storage. 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.
You are a Red Hat administrator at a company that runs a critical database server. The server has a single 500GB SSD (/dev/sda) with a default partition layout: /boot (1GB), swap (8GB), and / (491GB) using LVM. The database stores data in /var/lib/mysql, which is on the root logical volume. Recently, the /var/lib/mysql directory has been growing rapidly and is now at 95% usage. The server has an additional 1TB HDD (/dev/sdb) installed but not configured. You need to provide additional storage to /var/lib/mysql without downtime. The database is currently running and must remain accessible. You have root access via SSH. Which of the following is the best course of action?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"best"Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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
Create a physical volume on /dev/sdb, create a new volume group named vgdb, create a logical volume lvdb of 900GB, format with XFS, mount temporarily at /mnt, copy /var/lib/mysql to /mnt using rsync while the database is running, then unmount and remount at /var/lib/mysql after updating /etc/fstab and stopping the database momentarily.
Option A is correct because it uses LVM to create a dedicated logical volume on the new disk, allowing the database data to be migrated without downtime. By using rsync while the database is running, the data remains accessible, and only a brief stop is needed for the final sync and remount. This approach avoids modifying the root filesystem and ensures the database service is interrupted minimally.
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.
- ✓
Create a physical volume on /dev/sdb, create a new volume group named vgdb, create a logical volume lvdb of 900GB, format with XFS, mount temporarily at /mnt, copy /var/lib/mysql to /mnt using rsync while the database is running, then unmount and remount at /var/lib/mysql after updating /etc/fstab and stopping the database momentarily.
Why this is correct
Correct: uses LVM, creates dedicated storage, and migrates data with minimal downtime.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Add /dev/sdb as a physical volume, extend the root volume group, extend the root logical volume, and grow the filesystem. Then move /var/lib/mysql to a new directory on the extended space.
Why it's wrong here
Extending root LV with more space does not isolate database storage and may still fill up.
- ✗
Use lvreduce to shrink the root LV by 10GB, then lvextend to create a new LV for /var/lib/mysql, format with ext4, mount, and copy data.
Why it's wrong here
Shrinking a filesystem is risky and may require downtime; also XFS cannot be shrunk.
- ✗
Partition /dev/sdb with a single partition, format with ext4, mount at /var/lib/mysql, and copy the data. Then update /etc/fstab.
Why it's wrong here
Using a raw partition is less flexible; LVM is preferred for manageability.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may think extending the root volume group and logical volume is simpler, but they overlook that the root filesystem itself is not the bottleneck—the specific directory /var/lib/mysql needs dedicated space without risking the root filesystem's integrity.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
LVM allows flexible storage management by decoupling physical disks from logical volumes. Using rsync with the --delete option after an initial copy ensures an efficient final sync with minimal downtime. XFS cannot be shrunk online, so any attempt to reduce the root LV would require unmounting the root filesystem, which is impractical on a production server.
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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Configure local storage — study guide chapter
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Configure local storage practice questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this EX200 question test?
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: Create a physical volume on /dev/sdb, create a new volume group named vgdb, create a logical volume lvdb of 900GB, format with XFS, mount temporarily at /mnt, copy /var/lib/mysql to /mnt using rsync while the database is running, then unmount and remount at /var/lib/mysql after updating /etc/fstab and stopping the database momentarily. — Option A is correct because it uses LVM to create a dedicated logical volume on the new disk, allowing the database data to be migrated without downtime. By using rsync while the database is running, the data remains accessible, and only a brief stop is needed for the final sync and remount. This approach avoids modifying the root filesystem and ensures the database service is interrupted minimally.
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: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 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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