The most likely cause of an NFS mount error is that the NFS server IP address is unreachable or the nfs-utils package is not installed. This is because the mount command relies on the nfs-utils package to provide essential client tools like mount.nfs and rpcbind, which handle the RPC communication and actual mounting of the remote share; without these utilities, the system simply cannot initiate the NFS protocol. On the Red Hat Certified System Administrator EX200 exam, this error often appears in troubleshooting scenarios where a candidate must distinguish between a network connectivity failure—producing a “No route to host” or timeout message—and a missing package, which yields a “mount: wrong fs type, bad option, bad superblock” error. A common trap is assuming the server is down when the real issue is that nfs-utils was never installed, so always check both the network path and the package list. Memory tip: think “NFS needs two N’s—Network reachable and NFS-utils installed.”
EX200 Create and configure file systems Practice Question
This EX200 practice question tests your understanding of create and configure file systems. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
# cat /etc/fstab
UUID=1234-5678 /boot xfs defaults 0 0
UUID=abcd-ef01 / ext4 defaults 1 1
UUID=9876-5432 /var ext4 defaults 1 2
192.168.1.100:/exports/data /mnt/data nfs4 defaults,_netdev 0 0
# mount -a
mount: /mnt/data: can't find in /etc/fstab.
# ls -la /mnt/data
total 0
drwxr-xr-x. 2 root root 6 Jan 1 00:00 .
drwxr-xr-x. 1 root root 0 Jan 1 00:00 ..
What is the most likely cause of the mount error?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The NFS server IP address is unreachable or the nfs-utils package is not installed.
The mount error is most likely caused by the NFS server being unreachable or the nfs-utils package not being installed. Without the nfs-utils package, the system lacks the necessary NFS client tools (e.g., mount.nfs, rpcbind) to mount NFS shares. If the server IP is unreachable, the mount command will fail with a timeout or 'No route to host' error, which is a common issue when network connectivity or NFS services are not properly configured.
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.
✗
The entry in /etc/fstab is malformed.
Why it's wrong here
Syntax looks correct.
✓
The NFS server IP address is unreachable or the nfs-utils package is not installed.
Why this is correct
Most common cause of mount failure.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The filesystem type 'nfs4' is incorrect; should be 'nfs'.
Why it's wrong here
nfs4 is valid.
✗
The mount point /mnt/data does not exist.
Why it's wrong here
It exists (shown by ls).
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Red Hat often tests the misconception that a mount error is always due to a syntax error in /etc/fstab or a missing mount point, when in fact the root cause is often a missing client package or network connectivity issue.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
It exists (shown by ls).
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The NFS client relies on the nfs-utils package, which provides the mount.nfs helper and rpcbind for RPC communication. Without rpcbind, NFSv3 mounts fail, and even NFSv4 mounts may fail if the server requires rpcbind for initial contact. In real-world scenarios, a missing nfs-utils package is a common oversight when provisioning minimal containers or systems, and the error message 'mount.nfs: No such device' or 'mount.nfs: Protocol not supported' can be misleading if the package is absent.
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: The NFS server IP address is unreachable or the nfs-utils package is not installed. — The mount error is most likely caused by the NFS server being unreachable or the nfs-utils package not being installed. Without the nfs-utils package, the system lacks the necessary NFS client tools (e.g., mount.nfs, rpcbind) to mount NFS shares. If the server IP is unreachable, the mount command will fail with a timeout or 'No route to host' error, which is a common issue when network connectivity or NFS services are not properly configured.
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: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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