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CompTIA Linux+ (XK0-006)System ManagementMedium

A technician is preparing a new 4TB SSD for use and runs 'parted /dev/sdb mkpart primary ext4 0% 100%'. To ensure the partition is created with optimal alignment for SSD performance, which parted invocation should the technician use?

  1. Aparted -a none /dev/sdb mkpart primary ext4 0% 100%
  2. Bparted -s /dev/sdb print free
  3. Cparted /dev/sdb align-check minimal 1
  4. Dparted -a optimal /dev/sdb mkpart primary ext4 0% 100%
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Correct answer: D. parted -a optimal /dev/sdb mkpart primary ext4 0% 100%

The '-a optimal' flag tells parted to align new partitions according to the device's reported optimal I/O size, improving SSD performance. '-a none' disables alignment, 'align-check' only verifies existing alignment, and 'print free' just displays free space without creating or aligning a partition.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. Explicitly disables alignment, which is the opposite of the goal.
  • B. Only lists free space; does not create or align anything.
  • C. Checks alignment of an existing partition rather than creating one.

parted -a optimal

parted alignment flag that creates partitions aligned to the device's optimal I/O size, improving performance on SSDs.

  • Alignment options: none, cylinder, minimal, optimal
  • Misalignment can cause read-modify-write penalties on SSDs
  • align-check verifies alignment of existing partitions

Memory trick: Optimal alignment keeps SSD blocks lined up like soldiers.

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