- A
mkfs.xfs /dev/sdb1
mkfs.xfs /dev/sdb1 — Correct. This command creates an XFS filesystem on the partition, as required.
- B
mke2fs /dev/sdb1
Why wrong: mke2fs /dev/sdb1 — Incorrect. mke2fs is used for ext2/ext3/ext4 filesystems, not XFS. It would create an ext4 filesystem by default on RHEL 9.
- C
mkfs -t ext4 /dev/sdb1
Why wrong: mkfs -t ext4 /dev/sdb1 — Incorrect. This creates an ext4 filesystem, not XFS. The -t ext4 option specifies ext4 file system type.
- D
mkfs.ext4 /dev/sdb1
Why wrong: mkfs.ext4 /dev/sdb1 — Incorrect. This is shorthand for creating an ext4 filesystem, not XFS.
Question 43 of 537
EX200 Deploy, configure, and maintain systems Practice Question
This EX200 practice question tests your understanding of deploy, configure, and maintain systems. 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.
A RHEL 9 system has a second disk /dev/sdb that needs to be partitioned with a single partition using all space, formatted with XFS, and mounted persistently at /data. The administrator uses fdisk to create the partition /dev/sdb1. Which filesystem creation command should be used?
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
✓
mkfs.xfs /dev/sdb1
The correct command is mkfs.xfs /dev/sdb1 because the question specifies that the partition must be formatted with XFS. The mkfs.xfs command is the dedicated tool for creating an XFS filesystem on a block device. It directly invokes the mkfs.xfs utility, which writes the XFS superblock and metadata structures to the 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.xfs /dev/sdb1
Why this is correct
mkfs.xfs /dev/sdb1 — Correct. This command creates an XFS filesystem on the partition, as required.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
mke2fs /dev/sdb1
Why it's wrong here
mke2fs /dev/sdb1 — Incorrect. mke2fs is used for ext2/ext3/ext4 filesystems, not XFS. It would create an ext4 filesystem by default on RHEL 9.
- ✗
mkfs -t ext4 /dev/sdb1
Why it's wrong here
mkfs -t ext4 /dev/sdb1 — Incorrect. This creates an ext4 filesystem, not XFS. The -t ext4 option specifies ext4 file system type.
- ✗
mkfs.ext4 /dev/sdb1
Why it's wrong here
mkfs.ext4 /dev/sdb1 — Incorrect. This is shorthand for creating an ext4 filesystem, not XFS.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse mkfs.xfs with generic mkfs commands or ext-family tools, assuming any mkfs variant will work, but the exam specifically tests knowledge of the correct filesystem-specific command for XFS.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The mkfs.xfs command is part of the xfsprogs package and initializes an XFS filesystem by writing the primary superblock (at offset 0), allocation group headers, and log area. XFS uses allocation groups (AGs) to manage space, and mkfs.xfs automatically calculates the number of AGs based on device size. In a real-world scenario, if the partition is larger than 16 TiB, mkfs.xfs may require the '-m reflink=0' option to avoid reflink incompatibility with older kernels.
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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this EX200 question test?
Deploy, configure, and maintain systems — This question tests Deploy, configure, and maintain systems — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: mkfs.xfs /dev/sdb1 — The correct command is mkfs.xfs /dev/sdb1 because the question specifies that the partition must be formatted with XFS. The mkfs.xfs command is the dedicated tool for creating an XFS filesystem on a block device. It directly invokes the mkfs.xfs utility, which writes the XFS superblock and metadata structures to the 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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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