What is the purpose of the /etc/fstab file in Linux? Learn how /etc/fstab defines persistent filesystem mount points and options, ensuring disks and partitions are automatically mounted at boot—essential for CompTIA Linux+ (Plus) XK0-005 exam success.
Table of Contents
Question
What is the purpose of the /etc/fstab file?
A. Stores user passwords
B. Configures network interfaces
C. Logs system boot messages
D. Sets kernel parameters
E. Defines filesystem mount points
Answer
E. Defines filesystem mount points
Explanation
/etc/fstab specifies how filesystems (e.g., disks, partitions) are mounted at boot, including mount points and options, a critical storage management file.
The /etc/fstab file is used to define filesystem mount points and options, specifying how and where disks, partitions, and other filesystems are mounted on a Linux system, especially during boot.
Detailed Explanation:
/etc/fstab stands for “filesystem table” and is a configuration file located in the /etc directory. It contains a list of filesystems and their mount points, along with the type of filesystem, mount options, dump settings, and filesystem check order.
Each line in the file represents a filesystem and includes:
- The device or partition (by device name, label, or UUID)
- The directory where it should be mounted (mount point)
- The type of filesystem (e.g., ext4, xfs, swap)
- Mount options (e.g., defaults, noexec, ro/rw)
- Backup and filesystem check settings
The kernel reads /etc/fstab at boot to automatically mount filesystems as specified, ensuring persistent and consistent mounting across reboots.
Administrators edit this file to add, remove, or change how filesystems are mounted, making it a critical tool for storage management and automation.
The /etc/fstab file configures how and where filesystems are mounted, ensuring persistent and automated mounting of disks, partitions, and network shares on Linux systems.
CompTIA Linux+ (Plus) XK0-005 certification exam practice question and answer (Q&A) dump with detail explanation and reference available free, helpful to pass the CompTIA Linux+ (Plus) XK0-005 exam and earn CompTIA Linux+ (Plus) XK0-005 certification.