Digital Forensic Certification Practice Exam

What information in the superblock of ext2 indicates whether the file system requires a full check?

1. File Count and Max File Count

2. Mount Count and Maximum Mount Count

3. Block Usage and Allocation Count

4. Partition Type and Block Size

The correct answer is: Mount Count and Maximum Mount Count

The superblock of an ext2 file system contains several fields that help manage and maintain the integrity of the file system. Among these fields, the Mount Count and Maximum Mount Count are particularly significant for determining whether a full check of the file system is needed. The Mount Count indicates how many times the file system has been mounted since it was last checked. The Maximum Mount Count specifies the number of mounts allowed before a forced file system check is required. If the Mount Count reaches the Maximum Mount Count, the file system will indicate that it should be checked during the next mount operation. This mechanism is crucial for ensuring that any potential corruption or errors are addressed proactively and helps in maintaining the overall health of the file system. As for the other options, while the File Count and Max File Count provide insights into the number of files in the file system, they do not indicate the need for a file system check. Similarly, Block Usage and Allocation Count give information about space usage, but they are not directly related to the necessity for a full file system check. Lastly, the Partition Type and Block Size are structural attributes of the file system but do not play a role in indicating when a check is required. This makes Mount Count and Maximum Mount Count the relevant parameters for