This EX200 practice question tests your understanding of configure local storage. 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.
An administrator needs to add a new 20GB disk /dev/sdb to a RHEL 9 server and mount it permanently at /data. The disk is unpartitioned. Which sequence of commands correctly accomplishes this?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
fdisk /dev/sdb → mkfs.ext4 /dev/sdb1 → echo '/dev/sdb1 /data ext4 defaults 0 0' >> /etc/fstab → mount -a
Option D is correct because it follows the proper sequence for adding a new unpartitioned disk: create a partition with fdisk, format the partition with mkfs.ext4, add an entry to /etc/fstab for permanent mounting, and then use mount -a to mount all filesystems from fstab. This ensures the disk is mounted persistently across reboots, which is required by the question.
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.
✗
fdisk /dev/sdb → mkfs.ext4 /dev/sdb1 → mount /dev/sdb1 /data
Why it's wrong here
Missing /etc/fstab entry; mount is temporary.
✗
mkfs.ext4 /dev/sdb → mount /dev/sdb /data
Why it's wrong here
Formats entire disk without partition; still temporary mount.
✗
parted /dev/sdb → mkfs.ext4 /dev/sdb1 → mount /dev/sdb1 /data
Why it's wrong here
Still temporary mount; does not persist reboot.
✓
fdisk /dev/sdb → mkfs.ext4 /dev/sdb1 → echo '/dev/sdb1 /data ext4 defaults 0 0' >> /etc/fstab → mount -a
Why this is correct
Creates partition, filesystem, persistent mount, and mounts all.
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 often forget the fstab step for permanent mounting, assuming mount alone makes it persistent, or they attempt to format the whole disk without partitioning, which is not the standard procedure for a new disk in RHEL.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
When adding a new disk, the partition table (e.g., MBR or GPT) must be written first; fdisk creates a partition (e.g., /dev/sdb1) and writes the table. The filesystem is then created on the partition, not the raw disk, to allow for multiple partitions and compatibility with tools like fsck. The /etc/fstab entry uses the device path (or UUID) with mount options; mount -a reads fstab and mounts all entries not already mounted, validating the configuration without a reboot.
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.
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: fdisk /dev/sdb → mkfs.ext4 /dev/sdb1 → echo '/dev/sdb1 /data ext4 defaults 0 0' >> /etc/fstab → mount -a — Option D is correct because it follows the proper sequence for adding a new unpartitioned disk: create a partition with fdisk, format the partition with mkfs.ext4, add an entry to /etc/fstab for permanent mounting, and then use mount -a to mount all filesystems from fstab. This ensures the disk is mounted persistently across reboots, which is required by the question.
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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