RHEL Linux - Red Hat System Administration Practice Exam

The directory that contains configuration files specific to the system is /etc. This directory serves as the primary location for system-wide configuration files and settings for various applications and services installed on the system. For example, it includes configurations for networking, system services, user accounts, and other critical system settings that need to be accessible during the system’s boot process or at runtime.

The /etc directory is integral to system administration as it allows administrators to configure or customize the operational behavior of the system and its applications. Revising or reading files within /etc is a common task for someone managing a Linux server.

In contrast, /usr primarily contains user applications and files that are not essential for the system's core operations, while /var is used for variable data like logs, transient information, or files that change frequently, such as mail spools and database files. The /run directory contains runtime data for services, which is temporary and not intended for persistent system configurations. Therefore, /etc is uniquely suited for retaining configuration files necessary for the proper functioning of the system.