CompTIA Linux+ (XK0-006)System ManagementEasy
A technician is building a new server that will use UEFI firmware instead of legacy BIOS. Which type of partition must exist on the disk to allow the system to boot GRUB under UEFI?
- AAn EFI System Partition (ESP) formatted as FAT32
- BA BIOS boot partition formatted as ext2
- CA swap partition formatted as swap
- DAn extended partition formatted as ext4
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. An EFI System Partition (ESP) formatted as FAT32
UEFI systems require an EFI System Partition (ESP), typically formatted as FAT32, which stores the bootloader files (e.g., grubx64.efi) that UEFI firmware reads directly. Legacy BIOS instead uses the MBR boot sector.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. BIOS boot partitions are used for GPT+BIOS setups, not UEFI.
- C. Swap is for virtual memory, unrelated to booting.
- D. Extended partitions relate to MBR partitioning schemes, not UEFI boot.
EFI System Partition (ESP)
A small FAT32-formatted partition required by UEFI firmware to store bootloader files needed to start the OS.
- Typically mounted at /boot/efi
- Must be FAT32 formatted
- Stores .efi bootloader executables like grubx64.efi
Memory trick: ESP = 'Entry Step Point' UEFI reads first