- A
mkfs.ext4 /dev/sdc1; cryptsetup luksFormat /dev/sdc1; cryptsetup open /dev/sdc1 secret; mount /dev/mapper/secret /mnt
Why wrong: Incorrect. Creating filesystem before encryption leaves unencrypted data.
- B
cryptsetup open /dev/sdc1 secret; mkfs.ext4 /dev/mapper/secret; cryptsetup luksFormat /dev/mapper/secret; mount /dev/mapper/secret /mnt
Why wrong: Incorrect. open before format, and luksFormat on mapper device is wrong.
- C
cryptsetup luksFormat /dev/sdc1; mkfs.ext4 /dev/sdc1; cryptsetup open /dev/sdc1 secret; mount /dev/mapper/secret /mnt
Why wrong: Incorrect. mkfs on /dev/sdc1 after luksFormat destroys the LUKS header.
- D
cryptsetup open /dev/sdc1 secret; cryptsetup luksFormat /dev/mapper/secret; mkfs.ext4 /dev/mapper/secret; mount /dev/mapper/secret /mnt
Why wrong: Incorrect. open before format fails because LUKS header doesn't exist.
- E
cryptsetup luksFormat /dev/sdc1; cryptsetup open /dev/sdc1 secret; mkfs.ext4 /dev/mapper/secret; mount /dev/mapper/secret /mnt
Correct. This is the proper sequence for LUKS encryption.
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.
An administrator wants to encrypt a new partition /dev/sdc1 using LUKS. Which command sequence is correct?
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.
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
cryptsetup luksFormat /dev/sdc1; cryptsetup open /dev/sdc1 secret; mkfs.ext4 /dev/mapper/secret; mount /dev/mapper/secret /mnt
Option E is correct because the proper sequence for encrypting a new partition with LUKS is: first initialize the LUKS header on the block device with `cryptsetup luksFormat`, then open the encrypted device to create a mapping under `/dev/mapper/`, then create a filesystem on the mapped device (not the raw block device), and finally mount the mapped device. This ensures the filesystem is built on top of the encrypted layer, not on the unencrypted partition.
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.
- ✗
mkfs.ext4 /dev/sdc1; cryptsetup luksFormat /dev/sdc1; cryptsetup open /dev/sdc1 secret; mount /dev/mapper/secret /mnt
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Creating filesystem before encryption leaves unencrypted data.
- ✗
cryptsetup open /dev/sdc1 secret; mkfs.ext4 /dev/mapper/secret; cryptsetup luksFormat /dev/mapper/secret; mount /dev/mapper/secret /mnt
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. open before format, and luksFormat on mapper device is wrong.
- ✗
cryptsetup luksFormat /dev/sdc1; mkfs.ext4 /dev/sdc1; cryptsetup open /dev/sdc1 secret; mount /dev/mapper/secret /mnt
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. mkfs on /dev/sdc1 after luksFormat destroys the LUKS header.
- ✗
cryptsetup open /dev/sdc1 secret; cryptsetup luksFormat /dev/mapper/secret; mkfs.ext4 /dev/mapper/secret; mount /dev/mapper/secret /mnt
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. open before format fails because LUKS header doesn't exist.
- ✓
cryptsetup luksFormat /dev/sdc1; cryptsetup open /dev/sdc1 secret; mkfs.ext4 /dev/mapper/secret; mount /dev/mapper/secret /mnt
Why this is correct
Correct. This is the proper sequence for LUKS encryption.
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.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Red Hat often tests the misconception that you can create a filesystem directly on the raw partition after `luksFormat` (Option C) or that you should open the device before formatting it with LUKS (Option B), leading candidates to confuse the order of operations for LUKS encryption.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
LUKS (Linux Unified Key Setup) stores an encryption header at the beginning of the block device, which contains metadata like cipher, key size, and key slots. The `cryptsetup open` command reads this header and creates a device-mapper target (e.g., `/dev/mapper/secret`) that transparently encrypts/decrypts data on the fly. Creating a filesystem on the mapper device ensures all data written is encrypted before hitting the disk. A common real-world scenario is encrypting a new disk for a server's data partition, where failing to follow the correct order can lead to data exposure or corruption.
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 — study guide chapter
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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: cryptsetup luksFormat /dev/sdc1; cryptsetup open /dev/sdc1 secret; mkfs.ext4 /dev/mapper/secret; mount /dev/mapper/secret /mnt — Option E is correct because the proper sequence for encrypting a new partition with LUKS is: first initialize the LUKS header on the block device with `cryptsetup luksFormat`, then open the encrypted device to create a mapping under `/dev/mapper/`, then create a filesystem on the mapped device (not the raw block device), and finally mount the mapped device. This ensures the filesystem is built on top of the encrypted layer, not on the unencrypted partition.
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: "which command". Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026
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