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LFCS · Question #736

Which of the following options for the kernel's command line changes the systemd boot target to rescue.target instead of the default target?

The correct answer is E. systemd.unit=rescue.target. To change the systemd boot target to rescue.target via the kernel command line, the systemd.unit=rescue.target option is used.

Submitted by hassan_iq· Apr 18, 2026Operation of Running Systems

Question

Which of the following options for the kernel's command line changes the systemd boot target to rescue.target instead of the default target?

Options

  • Asystemd.target=rescue.target
  • Bsystemd.runlevel=rescue.target
  • Csystemd.service=rescue.target
  • Dsystemd.default=rescue.target
  • Esystemd.unit=rescue.target

How the community answered

(43 responses)
  • A
    5% (2)
  • B
    2% (1)
  • C
    2% (1)
  • E
    91% (39)

Why each option

To change the systemd boot target to `rescue.target` via the kernel command line, the `systemd.unit=rescue.target` option is used.

Asystemd.target=rescue.target

`systemd.target=` is not the correct kernel parameter; the correct syntax for specifying a unit is `systemd.unit=`.

Bsystemd.runlevel=rescue.target

`systemd.runlevel=` is incorrect; systemd uses targets (e.g., `rescue.target`, `multi-user.target`) instead of traditional runlevels, and `systemd.unit` is the parameter for overriding the default.

Csystemd.service=rescue.target

`systemd.service=` is not the correct kernel parameter; while `rescue.target` is composed of services, the parameter to specify a boot target is `systemd.unit=`.

Dsystemd.default=rescue.target

`systemd.default=` is not the correct kernel parameter; the parameter to override the default systemd boot unit is `systemd.unit=`.

Esystemd.unit=rescue.targetCorrect

The `systemd.unit=` kernel parameter allows specifying a particular systemd unit to activate at boot, overriding the default target. Setting `systemd.unit=rescue.target` directs systemd to boot into the rescue mode, which provides a minimal environment for system repair.

Concept tested: systemd boot targets, kernel parameters

Source: https://www.freedesktop.org/software/systemd/man/systemd.html#Kernel%20Command%20Line

Topics

#systemd boot targets#kernel parameters#rescue mode

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