This EX200 practice question tests your understanding of manage users and groups. 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.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The password inactivity period is disabled.
The `INACTIVE=-1` setting in the `useradd -D` or `/etc/default/useradd` configuration disables the password inactivity period. This means that after a password expires, the account will not be locked due to inactivity, effectively turning off the inactivity timer. The value -1 is a special sentinel that indicates no inactivity period is enforced.
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 account expires immediately.
Why it's wrong here
Option D is incorrect; account expiration is controlled by the EXPIRE field, not INACTIVE.
✗
Passwords never expire.
Why it's wrong here
Option A is incorrect; password expiration is controlled by PASS_MAX_DAYS, not INACTIVE.
✗
Account is disabled if password expires but user does not log in within -1 days (immediately).
Why it's wrong here
Option B is incorrect; a value of -1 disables the inactivity feature, meaning the account is not disabled due to inactivity.
✓
The password inactivity period is disabled.
Why this is correct
Option C is correct; INACTIVE=-1 disables the inactivity period, so the account will not be disabled after password expiration.
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 distinction between password expiration (`PASS_MAX_DAYS`) and the inactivity period (`INACTIVE`), trapping candidates who confuse the two or misinterpret -1 as 'immediate' rather than 'disabled'.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The `INACTIVE` field is stored in `/etc/shadow` as the seventh colon-separated field (days after password expiration before the account is locked). A value of -1 or empty disables this feature, while a positive integer sets the grace period. This is defined by the `shadow` suite and used by `pam_unix.so` during authentication; if the password has expired and the inactivity days have been exceeded, the account is locked and the user cannot log in until an administrator resets it.
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.
Manage users and groups — This question tests Manage users and groups — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The password inactivity period is disabled. — The `INACTIVE=-1` setting in the `useradd -D` or `/etc/default/useradd` configuration disables the password inactivity period. This means that after a password expires, the account will not be locked due to inactivity, effectively turning off the inactivity timer. The value -1 is a special sentinel that indicates no inactivity period is enforced.
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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