This EX200 practice question tests your understanding of configure local storage. 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.
Which file contains the list of filesystems to be mounted at system startup?
/etc/fstab
/etc/fstab defines persistent filesystem mounts.
/etc/rc.local
Why wrong: /etc/rc.local is a local startup script.
/etc/filesystems
Why wrong: /etc/filesystems lists known filesystem types.
/etc/mtab
Why wrong: /etc/mtab shows currently mounted filesystems.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
/etc/fstab
The /etc/fstab file is the system configuration file that defines static filesystem information, including devices, mount points, filesystem types, mount options, dump frequency, and fsck pass order. During system startup, the mount -a command (typically run by systemd or init scripts) reads /etc/fstab to mount all filesystems listed there, making it the definitive source for automatic mounting at boot.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
/etc/fstab
Why this is correct
/etc/fstab defines persistent filesystem mounts.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
/etc/rc.local
Why it's wrong here
/etc/rc.local is a local startup script.
/etc/filesystems
Why it's wrong here
/etc/filesystems lists known filesystem types.
/etc/mtab
Why it's wrong here
/etc/mtab shows currently mounted filesystems.
Common exam traps
Red Hat often tests the distinction between /etc/fstab (static boot-time configuration) and /etc/mtab (dynamic current mount state), leading candidates to confuse the two because both contain mount information.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
/etc/mtab shows currently mounted filesystems.
Detailed technical explanation
The /etc/fstab file uses a six-column format: device, mount point, filesystem type, mount options, dump (0 or 1), and fsck pass order (0, 1, or 2). The mount -a command processes entries in order, and options like 'noauto' can prevent automatic mounting at boot while still allowing manual mounts. In systemd-based systems, systemd-fstab-generator parses /etc/fstab to create mount units, enabling parallel mounting and dependency management.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Configure local storage — This question tests Configure local storage — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: /etc/fstab — The /etc/fstab file is the system configuration file that defines static filesystem information, including devices, mount points, filesystem types, mount options, dump frequency, and fsck pass order. During system startup, the mount -a command (typically run by systemd or init scripts) reads /etc/fstab to mount all filesystems listed there, making it the definitive source for automatic mounting at boot.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026
This EX200 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Red Hat certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the EX200 exam.
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