This EX200 practice question tests your understanding of configure local storage. 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.
Which THREE of the following are valid steps to create and mount an XFS filesystem on a new disk /dev/sdb?
mkfs.xfs -f /dev/sdb
Why wrong: Writing filesystem to whole disk, not a partition.
mount -t xfs /dev/sdb1 /mnt
Correct mount command specifying XFS type.
mkfs.xfs /dev/sdb1
Creates XFS filesystem on partition.
mount /dev/sdb1 /mnt
Why wrong: Mount command missing filesystem type; incorrect without fstab entry.
echo "/dev/sdb1 /mnt xfs defaults 0 0" >> /etc/fstab
Adds entry to fstab for persistent mount.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
mount -t xfs /dev/sdb1 /mnt
Option B is correct because the `mount -t xfs /dev/sdb1 /mnt` command explicitly specifies the XFS filesystem type with the `-t xfs` flag, ensuring the kernel uses the correct XFS driver to mount the filesystem. This is necessary when the filesystem type is not automatically detected or when you want to be explicit, which is a common requirement in exam scenarios.
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.
mkfs.xfs -f /dev/sdb
Why it's wrong here
Writing filesystem to whole disk, not a partition.
mount -t xfs /dev/sdb1 /mnt
Why this is correct
Correct mount command specifying XFS type.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
mkfs.xfs /dev/sdb1
Why this is correct
Creates XFS filesystem on partition.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
mount /dev/sdb1 /mnt
Why it's wrong here
Mount command missing filesystem type; incorrect without fstab entry.
echo "/dev/sdb1 /mnt xfs defaults 0 0" >> /etc/fstab
Why this is correct
Adds entry to fstab for persistent mount.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates assume `mount /dev/sdb1 /mnt` (without `-t xfs`) is always sufficient, but Cisco tests the need for explicit filesystem type specification when the kernel's auto-detection might not reliably identify XFS.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Mount command missing filesystem type; incorrect without fstab entry.
Detailed technical explanation
XFS uses a superblock located at the start of the partition to store metadata; the `mount -t xfs` command tells the kernel to read that superblock using the XFS-specific driver, bypassing any auto-detection logic that might fail if the filesystem signature is ambiguous. In real-world scenarios, auto-detection can fail on systems with multiple filesystem types or after a crash, making explicit type specification a best practice for scripting and automation.
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.
Configure local storage — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
Configure local storage practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
All EX200 questions
527 questions across all exam domains
Red Hat Certified System Administrator EX200 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
EX200 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Practise EX200 questions linked to Operate running systems.
Practise EX200 questions linked to Configure local storage.
Practise EX200 questions linked to Create and configure file systems.
Practise EX200 questions linked to Deploy, configure, and maintain systems.
Practise EX200 questions linked to Manage users and groups.
Practise EX200 questions linked to Manage security.
Practise EX200 questions linked to Manage containers.
Practise EX200 questions linked to Create simple shell scripts.
Practise EX200 questions linked to Essential Tools.
Practise EX200 questions linked to EX200 fundamentals.
Practise EX200 questions linked to EX200 scenario.
Practise EX200 questions linked to EX200 troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Configure local storage — This question tests Configure local storage — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: mount -t xfs /dev/sdb1 /mnt — Option B is correct because the `mount -t xfs /dev/sdb1 /mnt` command explicitly specifies the XFS filesystem type with the `-t xfs` flag, ensuring the kernel uses the correct XFS driver to mount the filesystem. This is necessary when the filesystem type is not automatically detected or when you want to be explicit, which is a common requirement in exam scenarios.
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.
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 →
Last reviewed: Jun 24, 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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.