ACSP File System and Storage 2

Question 1

In APFS, what is a 'volume group' and how does it relate to the macOS system and data volumes?

Accepted Answer

A volume group contains multiple APFS volumes that share the same storage pool, including the sealed read-only System volume and a writable Data volume

Answer

A volume group is a RAID configuration that mirrors two APFS volumes for redundancy

Answer

A volume group is a logical container that allows multiple users to share a single APFS volume

Answer

A volume group encrypts multiple volumes with a single shared password

Question 2

What is a 'firmlink' in APFS and how does it differ from a symbolic link?

Accepted Answer

A firmlink is a bi-directional, file-system-level hard link between two volumes that behaves like a directory, while a symlink is a one-directional pointer to a path

Answer

A firmlink is an encrypted version of a symbolic link that requires admin authentication to follow

Answer

A firmlink is a link that persists across reboots while symlinks are temporary

Answer

A firmlink links files within the same volume, while symlinks can cross volume boundaries

Question 3

What does APFS 'space sharing' mean in the context of disk management?

Accepted Answer

Multiple APFS volumes in the same container share the total available space, with no fixed partition sizes assigned to individual volumes

Answer

APFS volumes can be accessed simultaneously by multiple users without performance degradation

Answer

An APFS container can be shared over the network as a shared disk

Answer

Multiple Macs can share a single APFS volume for collaborative file storage

Question 4

Which Disk Utility operation should be used when a volume shows errors in the First Aid check?

Accepted Answer

Run First Aid again after booting from macOS Recovery or an external startup disk

Answer

Reformat the volume immediately to resolve all file system errors

Answer

Use Time Machine to restore the volume from the most recent backup

Answer

Run 'fsck' from single-user mode without First Aid

Question 5

What is the purpose of the 'Signed System Volume' (SSV) in Apple silicon and T2 Macs?

Accepted Answer

It cryptographically seals the macOS system files so any unauthorized modification is detected at boot and the system refuses to start

Answer

It signs all user-installed applications with the system's private key to verify their authenticity

Answer

It encrypts user home folders with keys derived from the system hardware

Answer

It prevents the system volume from being read by unauthorized external tools or boot disks

Question 6

What storage interface do all Apple silicon Macs use for their internal SSD?

Accepted Answer

NVMe over a custom Apple fabric integrated directly with the SoC

Answer

SATA III connected through a dedicated Apple controller chip

Answer

PCIe x4 using a standard M.2 slot accessible for user replacement

Answer

UFS 3.1 storage packaged within the M-series chip module