EX200 Create and configure file systems Practice Question
This EX200 practice question tests your understanding of create and configure file systems. 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 ensure that a file system is automatically mounted at boot. Which file should be edited?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
/etc/fstab
The /etc/fstab file is the standard configuration file that defines how disk partitions, block devices, and remote filesystems should be mounted into the filesystem tree, including options for automatic mounting at boot time. The system reads this file during the boot process (via systemd or the traditional mount -a command) to mount all filesystems listed with the 'auto' or nofail option.
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.
✗
/etc/rc.local
Why it's wrong here
/etc/rc.local is used for custom startup scripts, but /etc/fstab is the standard for mounting file systems.
✓
/etc/fstab
Why this is correct
/etc/fstab is the file system table that defines how and where file systems are mounted at boot.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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/boot/grub2/grub.cfg
Why it's wrong here
/boot/grub2/grub.cfg is the bootloader configuration, not for file system mounting.
✗
/etc/mtab
Why it's wrong here
/etc/mtab lists currently mounted file systems and is not used for boot-time configuration.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Red Hat often tests the distinction between configuration files (/etc/fstab) and runtime or bootloader files, leading candidates to mistakenly choose /etc/rc.local or /boot/grub2/grub.cfg because they associate 'boot' with bootloader or startup scripts.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, /etc/fstab uses a six-column format: device, mount point, filesystem type, mount options, dump frequency, and fsck pass order. The 'auto' mount option in the fourth column explicitly tells systemd or mount -a to mount the filesystem at boot, while 'noauto' would require manual mounting. A subtle behavior is that if the filesystem fails to mount (e.g., due to a missing device), the boot process may drop into emergency mode unless the 'nofail' option is set.
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: /etc/fstab — The /etc/fstab file is the standard configuration file that defines how disk partitions, block devices, and remote filesystems should be mounted into the filesystem tree, including options for automatic mounting at boot time. The system reads this file during the boot process (via systemd or the traditional mount -a command) to mount all filesystems listed with the 'auto' or nofail option.
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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