EX200 Create and configure file systems Practice Question
This EX200 practice question tests your understanding of create and configure file 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.
After adding a new disk /dev/sdc, a system administrator wants to mount it persistently at /mnt/backup. Which entry in /etc/fstab is most reliable?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
UUID=abc123... /mnt/backup xfs defaults 0 0
Option D is correct because using the UUID (Universally Unique Identifier) ensures the filesystem is mounted persistently regardless of device name changes (e.g., /dev/sdc could become /dev/sdd after a reboot or disk addition). The UUID is generated when the filesystem is created and remains constant, making it the most reliable method for persistent mounts in /etc/fstab.
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.
✗
LABEL=data /mnt/backup xfs defaults 0 0
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: The filesystem may not have a label; UUID is preferred.
✗
PARTUUID=def456... /mnt/backup xfs defaults 0 0
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: PARTUUID identifies the partition, not the filesystem.
✗
/dev/sdc /mnt/backup xfs defaults 0 0
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: Device names can change; UUID is more reliable.
✓
UUID=abc123... /mnt/backup xfs defaults 0 0
Why this is correct
Correct: UUID uniquely identifies the filesystem.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Red Hat often tests the misconception that device names like /dev/sdc are stable, but the trap here is that device names can change after reboots or hardware changes, while UUIDs remain constant and are the recommended method for persistent mounts in /etc/fstab.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The UUID is stored in the filesystem superblock (e.g., for XFS, it is written during mkfs.xfs) and can be viewed with 'blkid' or 'lsblk -f'. Unlike device names (which depend on kernel enumeration order) or labels (which are user-defined and can be missing), the UUID is globally unique and persists across reboots, making it the standard for reliable fstab entries. In Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8/9, systemd-fstab-generator processes these entries, and using UUID avoids race conditions during boot when device names may not yet be stable.
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: UUID=abc123... /mnt/backup xfs defaults 0 0 — Option D is correct because using the UUID (Universally Unique Identifier) ensures the filesystem is mounted persistently regardless of device name changes (e.g., /dev/sdc could become /dev/sdd after a reboot or disk addition). The UUID is generated when the filesystem is created and remains constant, making it the most reliable method for persistent mounts in /etc/fstab.
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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