The correct approach is to use fdisk to delete any existing partitions, create a single new partition that spans the entire disk, and then run mkfs.xfs on that partition. This is necessary because creating an XFS filesystem directly on a whole disk like /dev/sdb, without a partition table, is strongly discouraged in enterprise Linux environments; system tools, boot loaders, and the kernel expect a valid partition table to identify and manage storage devices reliably. On the Red Hat Certified System Administrator EX200 exam, this question tests your understanding of proper disk preparation and filesystem creation workflows, often appearing as a scenario where you must choose between formatting the raw device or using a partition. A common trap is assuming mkfs.xfs can be safely run on /dev/sdb directly, but the exam expects the partition-first method to avoid metadata conflicts and ensure compatibility with utilities like blkid and grub. Remember the memory tip: “Partition first, format second—never raw-dog a disk.”
EX200 Create and configure file systems Practice Question
This EX200 practice question tests your understanding of create and configure file 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.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
# lsblk /dev/sdb
NAME MAJ:MIN RM SIZE RO TYPE MOUNTPOINT
sdb 8:16 0 20G 0 disk
├─sdb1 8:17 0 2G 0 part
├─sdb2 8:18 0 2G 0 part
└─sdb3 8:19 0 16G 0 part
# blkid /dev/sdb1
/dev/sdb1: UUID="abc123" TYPE="xfs"
# blkid /dev/sdb2
/dev/sdb2: UUID="def456" TYPE="ext4"
# blkid /dev/sdb3
/dev/sdb3: UUID="ghi789" TYPE="swap"
Refer to the exhibit. The administrator wants to create a single file system that spans the entire 20 GB disk /dev/sdb. All data on the disk can be discarded. Which steps are required to create an XFS file system on the whole disk?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use fdisk to delete all partitions, create a new partition spanning the whole disk, then run mkfs.xfs on the new partition.
Option D is correct because creating a file system directly on a whole block device (like /dev/sdb) without a partition table is not recommended and may cause issues with system tools and boot loaders. The proper procedure is to first create a single partition spanning the entire disk using fdisk (or parted), then format that partition (e.g., /dev/sdb1) with mkfs.xfs. This ensures a valid partition table is present, which is expected by most Linux utilities and the kernel.
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.
✗
Run mkfs.xfs /dev/sdb directly; it will overwrite the partition table and create a file system.
Why it's wrong here
mkfs.xfs on whole disk with existing partition table may fail or require -f, but best practice is to remove partitions first.
✗
Use pvcreate /dev/sdb, then vgcreate, lvcreate, and format the logical volume with mkfs.xfs.
Why it's wrong here
LVM is not required; the question asks for a single file system on the whole disk, not logical volumes.
✗
Run mkfs.xfs -f /dev/sdb; it will force creation of XFS on the whole disk without partition table.
Why it's wrong here
While -f can force, creating a file system without partitions is unusual and not standard practice for a disk with partitions.
✓
Use fdisk to delete all partitions, create a new partition spanning the whole disk, then run mkfs.xfs on the new partition.
Why this is correct
Correct procedure: remove partitions, create single partition, format with XFS.
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 mkfs can be run directly on a whole disk (e.g., /dev/sdb) without a partition table, leading candidates to choose options A or C, but the correct Red Hat practice is to always create a partition first.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, the Linux kernel expects block devices to have a partition table (MBR or GPT) for proper identification and management by udev and systemd. Creating a file system directly on /dev/sdb (without partitions) results in a 'superblock' at the start of the disk, which can conflict with partition table metadata. In real-world scenarios, tools like grub-install or systemd-gpt-auto-generator may fail or misbehave without a valid partition table, making option D the only robust approach.
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: Use fdisk to delete all partitions, create a new partition spanning the whole disk, then run mkfs.xfs on the new partition. — Option D is correct because creating a file system directly on a whole block device (like /dev/sdb) without a partition table is not recommended and may cause issues with system tools and boot loaders. The proper procedure is to first create a single partition spanning the entire disk using fdisk (or parted), then format that partition (e.g., /dev/sdb1) with mkfs.xfs. This ensures a valid partition table is present, which is expected by most Linux utilities and the kernel.
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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