The answer is the command sequence `mkfs -t ext4 /dev/sdb1 && mkdir /data && mount /dev/sdb1 /data && echo '/dev/sdb1 /data ext4 defaults 0 0' >> /etc/fstab`. This is correct because it follows the essential Linux workflow for persistent storage: first create the ext4 filesystem on the block device, then create the mount point directory, mount the filesystem immediately for current use, and finally append the correct fstab entry so the mount survives reboots. On the Red Hat Certified System Administrator EX200 exam, this task tests your ability to combine filesystem creation, mounting, and persistent configuration—a common scenario in storage management questions. A frequent trap is forgetting to create the mount point or using `>` instead of `>>` in fstab, which would overwrite existing entries. Remember the mnemonic "Make, Mount, Make Permanent"—create the filesystem, mount it now, then make it permanent in fstab.
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.
A system administrator needs to create a new ext4 filesystem on /dev/sdb1 and mount it persistently at /data. Which set of commands should be used?
Option A is correct because it creates the ext4 filesystem with `mkfs -t ext4 /dev/sdb1`, creates the mount point directory with `mkdir /data`, mounts the filesystem immediately with `mount /dev/sdb1 /data`, and then adds an entry to `/etc/fstab` using the correct format (device, mount point, filesystem type, options, dump, pass) to ensure the mount persists across reboots. The `&&` operator ensures each command only runs if the previous one succeeds, which is a safe practice for scripting this task.
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.
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often forget to create the mount point directory or attempt to use `blkid` output directly in fstab, assuming it will work, when in fact the fstab file requires a specific columnar format with the device, mount point, filesystem type, options, dump, and pass fields.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
blkid output is not a valid fstab entry format.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The `mkfs -t ext4` command is equivalent to `mkfs.ext4` and writes the ext4 superblock, inode table, and journal to the partition. The `/etc/fstab` entry uses six fields: device (or UUID), mount point, filesystem type, mount options (defaults means rw, suid, dev, exec, auto, nouser, async), dump (0 disables backup), and pass (0 disables fsck at boot). Using `blkid` output directly in fstab is a common mistake because blkid prints key=value pairs, not the tab-separated fstab format, and would cause the system to fail to parse the file at boot.
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: mkfs -t ext4 /dev/sdb1 && mkdir /data && mount /dev/sdb1 /data && echo '/dev/sdb1 /data ext4 defaults 0 0' >> /etc/fstab — Option A is correct because it creates the ext4 filesystem with `mkfs -t ext4 /dev/sdb1`, creates the mount point directory with `mkdir /data`, mounts the filesystem immediately with `mount /dev/sdb1 /data`, and then adds an entry to `/etc/fstab` using the correct format (device, mount point, filesystem type, options, dump, pass) to ensure the mount persists across reboots. The `&&` operator ensures each command only runs if the previous one succeeds, which is a safe practice for scripting this task.
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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