Quick Answer
The answer is the `who` command. This is the most appropriate command for displaying a list of currently logged-in users because it directly queries the system’s utmp database, which records active login sessions, and outputs each user’s terminal, login time, and originating host. On the Red Hat Certified System Administrator EX200 exam, this question tests your ability to quickly retrieve session information without unnecessary detail—a common trap is choosing `w` or `users`, but `w` adds system load and uptime data, while `users` only shows usernames without session context. The `who` command is the straightforward, single-purpose tool for this task, and it often appears in performance-based scenarios where you must verify active connections before maintenance. A simple memory tip: think of “who” as asking “who is here right now?”—it’s the direct question for a direct answer, just like the command itself.
This EX200 practice question tests your understanding of essential tools. Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. 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 wants to display a list of all currently logged-in users. Which command is most appropriate?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "which command"
Why it matters: Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
who
Displays currently logged-in users.
w
Why wrong: Shows detailed info including load, but not the standard list.
last
Why wrong: Shows last logins history.
users
Why wrong: Lists usernames only, no terminal or time.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
who
The `who` command displays a list of currently logged-in users along with their terminal, login time, and originating host. It is the most straightforward and appropriate command for this specific task, as it directly queries the system's utmp database to show active sessions.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
who
Why this is correct
Displays currently logged-in users.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "which command" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
w
Why it's wrong here
Shows detailed info including load, but not the standard list.
last
Why it's wrong here
Shows last logins history.
users
Why it's wrong here
Lists usernames only, no terminal or time.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often confuse `w` (which shows additional process information) with `who` for a simple user listing, or mistakenly think `last` shows current users because it lists login records.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Shows detailed info including load, but not the standard list.
Detailed technical explanation
The `who` command reads the `/var/run/utmp` file (or `/var/adm/utmp` on some systems) to retrieve active session records. In a multi-user environment, `who -u` can also show idle time and process IDs, which is useful for system administrators monitoring resource usage or planning maintenance windows.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
What to study next
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Essential Tools — This question tests Essential Tools — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: who — The `who` command displays a list of currently logged-in users along with their terminal, login time, and originating host. It is the most straightforward and appropriate command for this specific task, as it directly queries the system's utmp database to show active sessions.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Yes — watch for: "which command". Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
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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