- A
Set setgid bit on /data/projects (chmod g+s), set sticky bit using chmod +t, use chage -M 90 -W 7 for each user, and ensure useradd defaults in /etc/login.defs have PASS_MAX_DAYS 90 and PASS_WARN_AGE 7.
All requirements are addressed: setgid for group inheritance, sticky bit for deletion control, and chage/login.defs for password aging.
- B
Modify the umask of all users to 002, use chage -M 90 for all users, and set the setgid bit.
Why wrong: Umask affects permissions, not group inheritance; chage -M does not set warning period; sticky bit is missing.
- C
Use ACLs to set default group permissions, enable password aging by editing /etc/shadow directly, and set the sticky bit on the directory.
Why wrong: ACLs are not necessary and setgid is more appropriate; editing /etc/shadow directly is error-prone and does not set defaults for new users.
- D
Set the setgid bit, create a cron job to change group ownership, and enforce password policy through pam_tally2.
Why wrong: Cron job is unnecessary and pam_tally2 controls account lockout, not aging.
EX200 Manage users and groups Practice Question
This EX200 practice question tests your understanding of manage users and groups. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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.
Your organization has a shared directory /data/projects with permissions 2770 owned by root:projectmanagers. The directory is used by a team of developers who are all members of the 'developers' group. However, you need to ensure that any file created inside /data/projects automatically belongs to the 'developers' group, not the user's primary group. Additionally, you need to ensure that developers can delete only their own files, not those of others. Your IT security policy also requires that all user passwords must expire every 90 days and that new users should have a warning period of 7 days before expiration. Given the following options, which one describes the correct set of actions to achieve all these requirements?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"primary"Why it matters: Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Set setgid bit on /data/projects (chmod g+s), set sticky bit using chmod +t, use chage -M 90 -W 7 for each user, and ensure useradd defaults in /etc/login.defs have PASS_MAX_DAYS 90 and PASS_WARN_AGE 7.
Option A is correct. Setting the setgid bit (chmod g+s) on /data/projects ensures new files inherit the directory's group (developers). Setting the sticky bit (chmod +t) prevents users from deleting files they don't own. For password aging, using chage -M 90 -W 7 for each user sets the maximum password age and warning period. Additionally, setting defaults in /etc/login.defs (PASS_MAX_DAYS 90 and PASS_WARN_AGE 7) ensures new users automatically get these settings. Option B omits setgid, uses direct shadow editing which is error-prone, and does not cover password aging defaults. Option C uses a cron job unnecessarily and pam_tally2 for account locking, not aging. Option D uses umask changes (affects permissions, not group inheritance) and only sets max days, not warning; also does not address sticky bit.
Key principle: Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Set setgid bit on /data/projects (chmod g+s), set sticky bit using chmod +t, use chage -M 90 -W 7 for each user, and ensure useradd defaults in /etc/login.defs have PASS_MAX_DAYS 90 and PASS_WARN_AGE 7.
Why this is correct
All requirements are addressed: setgid for group inheritance, sticky bit for deletion control, and chage/login.defs for password aging.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "primary" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- ✗
Modify the umask of all users to 002, use chage -M 90 for all users, and set the setgid bit.
Why it's wrong here
Umask affects permissions, not group inheritance; chage -M does not set warning period; sticky bit is missing.
- ✗
Use ACLs to set default group permissions, enable password aging by editing /etc/shadow directly, and set the sticky bit on the directory.
Why it's wrong here
ACLs are not necessary and setgid is more appropriate; editing /etc/shadow directly is error-prone and does not set defaults for new users.
- ✗
Set the setgid bit, create a cron job to change group ownership, and enforce password policy through pam_tally2.
Why it's wrong here
Cron job is unnecessary and pam_tally2 controls account lockout, not aging.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: usable hosts are not the same as total addresses
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- Block size helps identify subnet boundaries.
- Network and broadcast addresses are not usable hosts in normal IPv4 subnets.
- The required host count determines the smallest suitable subnet.
TExam Day Tips
- Write the block size before choosing the subnet.
- Check whether the question asks for hosts, subnets or a specific address range.
- Do not confuse /24, /25, /26 and /27 host counts.
Key takeaway
Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A security administrator must allow nursing staff to reach a patient records server while blocking access from the guest Wi-Fi VLAN. After applying an extended ACL, traffic is still blocked from nursing workstations. The ACL was applied outbound instead of inbound on the wrong interface. Questions like this test ACL direction and placement rules.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related EX200 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
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Manage users and groups — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this EX200 question test?
Manage users and groups — This question tests Manage users and groups — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Set setgid bit on /data/projects (chmod g+s), set sticky bit using chmod +t, use chage -M 90 -W 7 for each user, and ensure useradd defaults in /etc/login.defs have PASS_MAX_DAYS 90 and PASS_WARN_AGE 7. — Option A is correct. Setting the setgid bit (chmod g+s) on /data/projects ensures new files inherit the directory's group (developers). Setting the sticky bit (chmod +t) prevents users from deleting files they don't own. For password aging, using chage -M 90 -W 7 for each user sets the maximum password age and warning period. Additionally, setting defaults in /etc/login.defs (PASS_MAX_DAYS 90 and PASS_WARN_AGE 7) ensures new users automatically get these settings. Option B omits setgid, uses direct shadow editing which is error-prone, and does not cover password aging defaults. Option C uses a cron job unnecessarily and pam_tally2 for account locking, not aging. Option D uses umask changes (affects permissions, not group inheritance) and only sets max days, not warning; also does not address sticky bit.
What should I do if I get this EX200 question wrong?
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related EX200 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "primary". Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
What is the key concept behind this question?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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